It’s hard to believe that we’re hitting the midpoint of summer. You might be looking at the calendar and thinking, “If I’m going to plan some get-togethers, it needs to be NOW.”
Below are some fun (and budget-friendly) ideas and recipes to make the most of your summer entertaining. Stay cool!
Plan Ahead
The key to hosting a successful summer party on a budget is planning ahead. Start by deciding on your guest list and the type of party you want to throw. Once you have a general idea, start keeping an eye out for sales on party supplies, food, and decor. You can also save money by making your own party favors or decorations. There are plenty of DIY tutorials online that are easy to follow and won't cost a fortune.
CHECK OUT 24 Cheap Outdoor Party Ideas That Look Expensive.
(I’m saying yes to the self-serve sangria bar.)
Host a Daytime Party
Hosting a daytime party can also save you money on food and drink expenses. Consider hosting a picnic in a nearby park or throwing a pool party during the day. You can serve simple snacks like chips, dips, and fruit, and guests can bring their own drinks.
Entertainment Ideas
Need some ideas to keep the kids busy? Try these!
Outdoor Scavenger Hunt - Gather up some items from around the house like flashlights, binoculars, magnifying glasses, etc., create a list of items for your scavenger hunt (for example: rocks; leaves with five points; bugs) then have everyone search high and low to find all of the items on the list.
Family Movie Night - Set up an outdoor movie night in your backyard this summer by using an outdoor projector screen (otherwise known as a sheet) to show movies under the stars.
Water Balloon War - Fill up water balloons ahead of time so that you’re ready when war erupts on those hot summer days! From traditional balloon fights to more organized games like Capture the Flag with water balloons as ammo.
5 Crowd-Pleasing Summer Recipes
These summer recipes are sure to be a hit!
Banana Pudding in a Sack – Super cute, portable, and you can make it ahead! Great for parties with kids.
Chicken Tortellini Salad – Omit the chicken or serve it on the side to make this vegetarian.
Pan-Seared Salmon with Summer Succotash – This elegant dish comes together in a flash and would be great for an intimate get together with friends.
Grilled Vegetable Platter with Yogurt Mint Sauce – Who doesn’t love a gorgeous platter of grilled vegetables?
Croque Monsieur Pie – Having friends over for brunch? This recipe is a WINNER.