Effortless & Unforgettable: Tips for Hosting Your Backyard Labor Day Party
By the time Labor Day rolls around, we’ll all be a little drained from the summer festivities. But don’t let that stop you from hosting an unforgettable Labor day party with friends and family. We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate all of your hard work and close out the summer with an effortless backyard BBQ to bring everyone together.
We don’t know about you, but we like to keep things simple. Hosting and entertaining can be fun and fuss-free if you keep a few things in mind. Here are our tips for being the host or hostess with the mostess, all while maintaining your sanity.
KEEP IT NATURAL:
Your color palette that is. Opt for neutrals and minimal decorative accents throughout your yard. You can accessorize tables with one or two jars of greens, wildflowers, or succulents and leave it at that. For parties that move into dusk and evening hours, feel free to display candles for a romantic effect.
FOOD STATIONS:
Let’s face it – a great backyard BBQ or party is all about the food. Go for small food stations placed in different corners of the backyard or patio to keep guests moving and interacting.
We’ve all been to a backyard party where everyone seems to congregate around the table with the food. If you set up 2-3 tables further apart, your guests will naturally move around the backyard versus hovering in one spot.
GO HEAVY ON THE APPETIZERS:
If we know one thing, it’s that Labor Day weekend in San Diego is sure to be hot. When the weather is warm we tend to not need to eat as much. This is a huge benefit when it comes to hosting a Labor day party because you can satisfy your guests with appetizers!
At one of your food stations, we suggest displaying a large charcuterie board with plenty of dips, spreads, and crackers. Depending on how many guests you can expect, we think 4-5 types of cheeses, an assortment of nuts, dried fruits, picked + raw veggies, and olives should do the trick.
You can create a secondary food station with light bites that can be easily prepped the night before. Your guests will love these 10 minute watermelon caprese skewers and cantaloupe prosciutto bites. Both recipes are very affordable, easy to prep, and mess-free!
FOR THE LOVE OF THE GRILL:
Since you’re going heavier on the appetizers, you won’t need to spend too much time on the grill. We suggest keeping it simple and opting for 1-2 grilled meats like steak and shrimp. After all, who doesn’t love surf & turf?
Keeping it tapas style like this will further encourage your guests to interact and enjoy the party. Plus, you’ll use less plates and cutlery. Less waste and less cleanup? Yes please!
GAMES, GAMES, GAMES!
No backyard BBQ is complete without outdoor games! You don’t need to go overboard with options, but having 2-3 choices for your Labor day party is perfect. Some great outdoor game options that will keep the party going are:
-Croquet
-Giant Jenga
-Bags/Cornhole
-Ladder Toss
-Bocce Ball
For more outdoor game ideas, we found this helpful article.