Summer is here! Days are longer and warmer. What better way to welcome this lovely time of year than with a summer party. Whether you plan to have a casual summer brunch or go all out with a formal summer dinner party, we have plenty of ideas to get you started!

While not mandatory, you may want to pick a theme for your summer party. Here are a few fun ideas:

• Celebrate summer with a garden party. Place flower seed packets under forks at place settings. Have guests decorate clay pots with vibrant paint colours and plant flowers to take home with them.
• A summer recipe party allows you to show off your cooking skills and learn some as well. Prepare your favourite summer appetizer, main dish, or dessert and share your culinary secrets. Ask guests to bring their favourite summer dish along with the recipe to share with others.
• Bring your fancy chairs outdoors for a traditional tea party complete with vintage China, floral napkins, and silver teaspoons. Have guests wear proper attire that includes gloves and fancy hats. Hang a chandelier from a tree branch for a touch of sophisticated charm.
• If children will be present, plan an outdoors event with plenty of snacks and drinks. Celebrate afterwards with a bonfire (if permitted) complete with smores and warm blankets.
• For a relaxed summer get-together with the girls, plan an outdoors spa day. Bring out all your nail polishes, creams and face masks and ask your guests to wear a robe and slippers for comfort. Create a grazing table filled with cheeses, fruits, and veggies and top off the spa experience with refreshing lemonade or cucumber water.

Think cheerful, bright, and vibrant. Flashy colours, such as bright yellow, rose pink, marigold orange or sky blue, are always popular choices. You can also think outside the box. For example, try combining bright berry tones with mismatched glasses completed with blueberry lemonade and berry desserts placed on stands of varying heights.

Stick to two or three colours and make one a neutral or barely-there metallic. For example, sky blue tablecloth with classic white scalloped dishes. Once you choose your colour scheme, you can incorporate them into your invitations, table decorations, and floral arrangements.

Your summer table should look bright, cheerful, and fresh. Crisp linens, floral napkins, and colourful tableware will help create a cheerful atmosphere. Add daffodils, tulips, hydrangeas, snowdrops, or gerberas in amazing colours for the perfect centrepiece.

Decorations don’t need to be expensive. For example, a simple tulip placed on each plate or under each napkin ring is a small touch that goes a long way. Or for an outdoor casual brunch, place simple groupings of flowers into coffee and soup cans painted in summer colours.

Celebrate with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables along with some light refreshments. Colourful salads, finger sandwiches with deli meats, pasta dishes with fresh vegetables and fruit kabobs all make delicious summer dishes. For dessert, consider mixed berry parfaits or raspberry-blueberry cake.

Quench your guest’s thirst with delicious summertime drinks at a self-serve bar where they can meet and mingle with others. Include non-alcoholic drinks such as mixed berry iced tea, strawberry lemonade, or refreshing fruit smoothies. Serve in clear, glass pitchers with lemon and lime wheels or garnish with fresh mint. If serving cocktails, keep them fun and fruity. Bright punches and sangria are always a big hit. Champagne punch with apricot nectar or sparkling wine combined with fresh juice are also great choices.

Don’t forget to say thanks! Send each guest home with a favour that celebrates the season. For example, repurpose jars into charming vases and personalize them with a note of thanks. Allow guests to choose a few flowers from your arrangements to take home with them as favours. Classic floral teacups also make perfect pots for small succulents that can be used as party favours.

Summer parties are a great way to spend quality time with your family and friends and celebrate the season.

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