Labor Day weekend is the last big holiday of the summer and is a popular weekend for cookouts, weekend getaways and pool parties. To celebrate these last few days of summer, start planning a Labor Day party for your friends, family and neighbors. Follow these five easy tips for planning a Labor Day party and ensure your final summer bash is a hit.
Tip 1: Send a Save the Date
Labor Day is always a busy weekend that fills up with events quickly, so send out save the dates to your entire guest list 4-6 weeks before the party. This will ensure that your event will get on calendars before they accept invitations to other Labor Day events.
Tip 2: Pick a Theme
Labor Day is about celebrating patriotism and having a theme can help highlight all things American. Make sure to include the theme in your invitations so that your guests will have time to put together a festive outfit. Here are some perfect Labor Day party theme ideas:
• Whiteout themed party: For those of you who are unaware of the Labor Day white rule, it goes like this: you’re not supposed to wear white after Labor Day. Some people believe that this rule applies primarily to white shoes and others believe that all white items are a faux pas after Labor Day. A lot of people ignore the rule completely. Wherever you fall in the “no white after Labor Day” spectrum, a Whiteout party is a great way to poke a little fun at “the rules.” Ask your guests to wear as much white as possible and have fun with this party theme yourself. Incorporate white into your decorations and party menu, too!
• Red, White, and Blue party: Incorporate the colors of the flag and ask everyone to wear red, white, and blue. Use the theme in your decorations as well by having American flags, stars and stripes, and the colors (red, white, and blue) displayed throughout the party space.
Tip 3: Build Your Menu
Labor Day is the last “unofficial” weekend of summer and may be the last time you’ll have an opportunity to bbq before the busy fall season begins. Take full advantage of your Labor Day party to serve lots of grilled dishes. Some great ideas for your Labor Day party menu include:
• Grilled chicken/vegetable kabobs
• Rib-eye steaks
• Hamburgers/cheese burgers
• Coleslaw
• Tomato, mozzarella and basil skewers
• Mixed fruit salad
• Make-your-own ice cream sundaes
• Seasonal fresh fruit pies
Tip 4: Decorate for the Occasion
Display fun, festive and casual decorations for Labor Day parties. Use the colors scheme red, white, and blue as a guideline for party accessories, streamers, balloons, plates, cups, etc. Aside from focusing on the American aspect of the holiday also tie in some classic BBQ/picnic décor such as rustic centerpieces filled with seasonal flowers and classic picnic table covers over each tabletop. Finalize you decorations with lighting to create ambiance. Paper lanterns or tiki torchlights are the perfect for any outdoor party.
Tip 5: Plan Activities for Guests
If you’re planning a more casual backyard cookout to celebrate Labor Day, opt for team games like volleyball, tag football or tug of war. If you’re planning an elegant evening party, hire a local musician to provide the entertainment. The music may even encourage guests to dance the night away under the stars. If there will be kids at the party, plan some activities for them. Plan to roast s’mores, give them jars to catch fireflies, or set up an arts and crafts table with summer craft ideas like colored sand jars or friendship bracelets.
Planning a Labor Day Party Courtesy of: Chicago Title
