Three Themes for Summer Parties

The sun rises high in the sky, showering the earth below in shimmering warmth. The sky is a magical blue, sparsely dotted with fluffy white clouds. A cool breeze whispers through the trees, and you wake each day to the sound of birds chirping happily and insects busily buzzing through the air. Summer has arrived, and the urge to celebrate is strong.

The weekend barbecue is a summer tradition. The smell of fiery charcoal, the mouth-watering steaks and burgers, the sizzling hot dogs, and the shouts of children and adults partaking in the delight of the welcome season of warmth and sun. But perhaps this year you’ve got something a little special in mind. The ultimate backyard gathering to hoist your party skills into the limelight. A barbecue of a different nature, something to inspire and excite both yourself and your guests.

A party with a theme is like a little adventure, in which you are the tour guide, and your guests have gathered to see what delights and wonders you have prepared for them. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Here are a few ideas to get you started. You’ll find them easy to expand on and convert to your own custom style.

For ease and simplicity, you’ll find that summer lends itself perfectly to the most common of summer party themes, the Tropical Party. You can skew this in many different directions, going for the basics or striving for something more specific, catering toward either a Hawaiian, Jamaican, or Caribbean-theme tropical party. Each culture has their own specialty dishes, and adhering to such a theme is important in order to reach your goal of a successfully themed menu, such as Jamaican Jerk Chicken, or Sweet and Sour Pork. Bowls of various fruits fit in very nicely, especially pineapple and other melons like mangoes or pomegranates. There are a bevy of tropical flavored drinks befitting of any tropical theme, such as Mai Tais, PiÃ?±a Coladas, and various Punches.

Decoration lends your yard that certain flair that transports you and your guests far away to some tropical climate, a little vacation for all. You can find something to suit your needs at craft and home and garden stores. Brightly colored floral arrangements transforms your yard into an island resort, and tiki torches are ideal for parties progressing into the evening hours, especially if placed around a pool or seating area, providing a warm, primal glow, as well as keeping insects away.

Instruct your guests to come in Hawaiian shirts or similar clothing so that everyone can feel as though they have contributed a little something of their own to the party, as well as increase the spirit of the festivities. You can purchase Hawaiian lays to hand out to your guests as they arrive. And of course, don’t forget to throw in some Calypso or Reggae music to really give your party a sense of tropical realism.

For our next theme, we head over to Mexico in our efforts to host a grand Mexican fiesta! Stock your coolers full of Coronas and your blenders full of frozen Margaritas. You best bet here is an assortment of light snacks; nachos and salsa are a must. An interesting approach is to set up a taco buffet, allowing your guests to create their own tacos from a generous sampling of various ingredients. If the barbecue is calling for action, then it should be an easy task to serve up some chicken or steak with a southwestern marinade or herb rub. Or, to get everyone fully entrenched in the spirit of the fiesta, have your guests each prepare a dish with a Mexican flair.

Sombreros are a unique party favor, and a piÃ?±ata will delight everyone, especially the children. Stock your stereo with a good portion of mariachi music, and the fiesta won’t end until the last shot of tequila has been vanquished.

Focusing more on a simple costume, it is the guests who will lend their efforts to making this next theme a success, while you need mainly be concerned with food and beverages. Due to the heat, a Greek Toga party is an excellent and exciting choice. Have you guests come in simply white sheets worn in the fashion of a toga, or have them dress in Greek elegance, with the women arriving as Greek Goddesses, and the men as gladiators. With the clothing cool and minimal, your guests will be comfortable and cool, and they can wear their bathing suits underneath if a pool is available.

For food, you can’t go wrong with a large array of various fruits and breads and cheeses, and assorted appetizers. To get a line of hungry Grecians forming, barbecue some hefty lamb kebabs served up with bowls of Greek Salad.

Regardless of your party theme, a little preparation and a suitable menu can enhance any simple party.