Stress Free Summer Party Strategies
Summer days and nights lend themselves to parties in the great outdoors, but any party is going to give the host a certain amount of stress. Using a few strategies and tips, it is possible to have a sunny, happy party whilst being relaxed and enjoying the event.
There are a few basic tips which help with any party and summer is no different. Use disposable everything; cups, plates, bowls, cutlery and napkins. For an outdoor party ensure there are discreet spots around the garden or patio where people can dump their rubbish straight into a refuse bag. Not only does this stop bugs congregating around the guests, it also means the host only has to gather up the bags once everyone is gone.
Heat can be overwhelming during the summer so provide buckets of ice for drinks, and either pitchers or bottles, filled with ready-to-drink punches – provide both non and alcoholic versions – allowing people to pour for themselves. This has two advantages; one is the ability to get a drink whenever a guest needs one, and the other is that the host doesn't have to spend half the party chasing around after people asking if they need refills.
Covering everything is a vital part of summer party planning. Lidless pitchers and plates of food need to be covered in film or foil to prevent bugs contaminating them. It’s also a good idea to lay out the food on tables buffet style, another way to prevent the host being run ragged serving and dragging food out from the kitchen. Designate a friend or family member to help keep an eye on barbecuing and to transfer the food to plates on the buffet.
Keep food simple and mainly cold. Unless the weather is unseasonably cool, people tend to prefer cold food during the summer months. This is great for the host, who doesn't have to spend hours over a hot stove. Stick to interesting and different when it comes to salads, as plain lettuce, cucumber and tomato can be boring. Don’t put dressings directly onto leafy salads as some dressings can cause the salad to wilt and that does not look appetising. It is a good move to avoid pasta salads too as they can have a tendency to become clumpy and heavy when left. Provide dressings, labelled if needed, in covered pots with individual spoons to allow people to serve themselves.
Southern Livinghas an excellent set of 38 salad recipes aimed at the summer months. What about peaches and mozzarella or strawberry chicken salads? The choices are as varied as the summer produce. Provide cold cuts, interesting and unusual bread and lots of fruits of the season with pots of cream or crème fraiche to cool things down. There are some wonderful bread ideas at theBrown-eyed Baker, including Potato Rosemary bread and Honey Oatmeal Sandwich bread. Make them ahead, freeze and present on the day. Steer clear of anything which will require a lot of time in the kitchen and avoid foods which will melt quickly or leave sticky residue on fingers. If there must be sticky ribs and cocktail sausages in gooey sauce provide finger bowls and piles of adjacent napkins for clean-ups.
Summer usually improves any garden, even if it is only weeds in flower, so decoration needn't be a priority. If the host simply must do something, softly scented candles in lanterns – which prevent accidental tipping and also stop moths frying themselves – and a few strings of fairy lights is all that is needed. Pop speakers through windows, onto sills and have some gentle summer tunes or smooth jazz playing as background sound, Music has an amazing effect on party moods and shouldn't be ignored.
The main point is not to worry. Keep it simple; provide plenty of fluids and a big smile. Everything else will come as the guests mingle, and if something goes wrong, c’est la vie, don’t let it stop the fun. Laugh it off and dive back in. Summer parties are about fun, laughter, enjoyment and feeling good at the height of the season.
