Guest Type: Your coupled friends Make the most of a gorgeous summer evening by taking a casual dinner party outside. Create an intimate space in the corner of your yard with a patio table, and dress up plastic chairs with small pillows for added comfort. Keep the area lit with string lanterns (leave them out all season long!), and set the table with single-stem flowers in tinted glass vases. Guest type: Book club members Want to host a simple summer soiree? Go the dessert and coffee route. Just pull up a coffee table to a comfy outdoor seating area and set up a spread of light desserts and the Keurig brewer. If you have a dual brewer like the Keurig K-Duo Essentials Coffee Maker ($79, Walmart), you can brew a carafe of your favorite coffee and have K-Cup pods on hand for those who prefer hot cocoa or tea. This summer party idea is perfect for a book club or just having the neighbors over. Guest type: Lovers of sweets Keep this summer celebration sweet! Watermelon is quintessentially summer, and it’s so versatile that it makes the perfect party theme. Embrace the versatility by featuring the fruit as the main food and even the decoration inspiration. Who said Christmas got dibs on red and green decor? Guest type: Friends and family Elegant and easy, this berry-inspired bash is the perfect way to welcome summer. Start by sending watercolor invites and dyeing an old tablecloth in faint flowery hues. Peonies, candles, and baskets of berries decorate the table. A do-ahead menu featuring farm-fresh foods and sweets and a self-serve bar leaves you free to nibble and mingle. Then, send guests off with Strawberry Meringue Cookies. Guest type: Vacation buddies Bring paradise to your own backyard! Fresh fruit, cool drinks, and maybe even a hula are perfect for enjoying a summer luau. Bright flowers set the tropical atmosphere and make the ultimate party centerpiece! Guest type: Gal pals Encourage your friends to channel their inner mermaid with a grown-up pool party. This casual and relaxed get-together is the perfect way to spend a hot summer day. Serve snacks that are easy to eat while you dip your toes in the water—fresh finger foods fill the bill perfectly. Guest type: Girlfriends from out of town Nothing says summer quite like the smell of a grill. And a leisurely brunch truly is a part of those easy-breezy summertime pleasures. Why not combine the two? Spend a weekend day at the grill with friends enjoying each other’s company. Plus, few things are better than a gooey, warm, grilled donut. Guest type: Your best girlfriends It’s easier than you think to escape to a tropics-inspired party in the comfort of your backyard. Set up a low table and seat guests on colorful floor cushions. Serve easy-prep appetizers, such as heirloom tomato salad, veggies with dip, and ice-cold drinks. Set a palm frond in a decorative vase to match the party theme, and light up the table with candles, so the party continues long after the sun sets. Guest type: Your sweetest neighbors Good news: Ice cream socials aren’t just for kids! Put a grown-up spin on a summertime classic with a make-your-own pie a la mode bar, complete with piecrust cookies and homemade fruit sauces. Add a few cooling cocktails—maybe even a bottle of bubbly—and you have a casual summer gathering that will last well into the evening. Guest type: Family friends Yes, trail mix is deserving of its own party! Let all of your mix components serve a dual purpose as a decorative display as well. This is the time to use those coordinating bowls that are too cute for everyday use: What needs a bigger bowl—the healthy nuts or the chocolate chips? Guest type: Your flower-loving friends Bright and colorful, this cheery summer party idea celebrates the beauty of flowers. Set the table with in-season blooms, candles, and umbrella-topped drinks for a sunny escape. Show guests to their seats with personalized flowered placeholders and patterned napkins. Whether you’re gushing over a recent trip to Paris or fantasizing about a far-off visit to Bali, a travel party is a perfect way to get away at home. Keep things authentic by serving fare that’s signature to your destination of choice. Showcase trip highlights or bucket-list locales in basic, inexpensive picture frames. Journals, photo albums, and favorite finds are also perfect for sharing. Guest type: Friends with kids Who says you need woods to camp? Individual s’mores kits, a ground-level table, campfire tunes, and picnic-friendly blankets round out this backyard campout. Have guests swap ghost stories around the campsite or spark a lively bonfire in your yard. Throw a few hobo packs on the grill to make it a casual dinner party. Guest type: Workout buddies Escape summer’s sweltering heat with a super laid-back happy hour sure to recharge. Hanging globe lights and airy branches showcased in on-hand vases help bring the patio inside. Stick to a cooled-off menu with items like fresh veggies, purchased breadsticks, and plenty of summer sips on ice. Keep an extra pitcher of water on hand—we like ours filled with lemon, cucumber, and mint! Guest Type: Visiting family and friends East Coast, West Coast, or no coast—anyone can enjoy a sea-inspired shindig with our tasty menu and a few tropical touches. Fanned-out leaf fronds make a clever table runner, while vibrant flowers add a sunny splash of color. Complete the beachy theme by serving food in shell-shaped dishes and sticking to hues in corals, oranges, and blues. Guest type: Mom friends and kiddos It’s just not summer without ice cream! So have some pals over for a sundae soiree and go all out with the toppings bar. Bring together all your favorite salty, sweet, and even savory flavors. Plus, explore creative ways to display your toppings—we’re obsessed with how cute the sprinkles are in that muffin tin. Guest type: Book club members You don’t need a garden to host this fabulous party indoors or out. Simple terrariums made from ferns and glass cloches star as the table centerpiece, accented by roses floating in stemless wine glasses. Each place setting has its own bit of greenery and an uplifting quote to keep the party in good spirits. Serve whatever you’d like at this easy-to-throw party, but we recommend dishes with farmers market fresh ingredients. Guest type: Your foodie friends Turn a low-key summer evening with friends into a fun Mexican fiesta with a build-your-own taco buffet and a few colorful decorations. Serve the tacos with a variety of condiments, such as sour cream, lime, cilantro, and other fresh veggies so that guests can create their own. Keep the stress of entertaining down by making the food ahead of time, and match your decor to the fiesta with brightly colored ceramic serving dishes. Guest type: Friendly neighbors Take a sophisticated party idea and make it casual for summer with this setup. Use planted succulents to dress up the outdoor table, and opt for real dishes and cloth napkins instead of disposable for a sophisticated touch. Serve simple appetizers like cheese and crackers with various types of meat and seasonal vegetables, and try a slow cooker recipe for the main course, so you don’t have to turn on the oven. A drink dispenser allows guests to help themselves. Fire up the grill! This easy party idea starts with summer’s signature dinner—hamburgers. Set up a spread of creative toppers like pickled vegetables, sliced avocado, mustard, and relish. During the party, let guests build their ultimate burger and fill their plates with plenty of fresh summer side dishes. Keep the decor simple (like colorful tablecloths and lawn chairs) and set up fun yard games. Guest type: Animal Lovers Celebrate man’s best friend with a festive puppy picnic! Adults, kids, and pups alike will love this easy summer party idea. Set up an outdoor buffet, puppy splash pad, and DIY photo booth in your backyard, and let the furry friends run wild! Gather your friends for an afternoon garden party starring all things girly. Serve herbal tea and bite-size sweets, and set up a DIY flower arranging bar. Head to the farmers market or your local flower farm for inexpensive in-season blooms. Try calling ahead to see if they offer bulk options for purchasing large quantities. This Southern-inspired shrimp boil is all about dining family-style. Set up a super casual spread starring boiled shrimp, corn, and sausage. Round out the meal with fresh hush puppies and coleslaw. You don’t need to head to the theater to catch a summer flick! Set up a backyard summer movie night complete with a DIY screen, concession-style snacks, and festive decor. Create a cozy seating area with cushions, chairs, and blankets. Guest type: Fruit Fans It doesn’t get better than fresh juicy watermelon! Celebrate summer’s signature fruit with a DIY watermelon tasting bar. Set up a spread with cut melon and unexpected toppers like salt, pepper, and citrus. Let guests top their slices and see what flavor combination they like best!
