5 Tips For Hosting the Best Summer Party Ever

Summertime is upon us, and with it comes social gatherings. You want to host a truly amazing summer party, but how can you make yours stand out? There are several small things you can do in order to transform your party from run-of-the-mill to memorable. If you focus on having good seating for your guests, a fabulous theme, lots to drink, easy-to-eat foods, and great music, your party will be a summer success.

Have Comfortable Seating

If you want to throw the best summer party ever, you need to make sure you provide comfortable places for your guests to sit. The last thing you want is to have your guests standing up the entire time—tired and sore legs are sure to ruin the fun.

There are many options when it comes to providing good seating for your friends and family. You can make use of folding chairs or chairs from inside your home and arrange them around a focal area. Make sure to organize your seats for maximum socialization and community. If you want to go hardcore, you can construct permanent outdoor seating in your backyard, such as built-in seating around a fire pit. Arranging chairs around a table or tables is another great option. The location of the seating is also important, such as on a deck, patio, or grassy area. Your deck can be a great place to set up seating, as decks are great for hosting parties. Make sure that, if you are hosting your party during the daytime, you place chairs in shade in order to protect your guests from the sun and the heat.

Have a Theme

A theme, although perhaps not seeming too important, can really bring your party together into a cohesive event. A theme should reflect and unify the objectives and purpose of your party. A theme also makes your party more exciting and generates more buzz among your guests. They will look forward to your event with even more enthusiasm when you choose a theme for your summer bash.

There are many themes which are specifically popular for summer parties. Tropical-themed parties, barbecue parties, beach-themed parties, and luau parties are all the rage in the summer months. When it comes time to select your theme, think in terms of specificity. You can incorporate your theme into your invitations, decorations, food and drink choices, and even party music and games. What theme would best fit the kind of party you want to have, and vice versa? Think in terms of activities, costumes, refreshments, and what you will have the time and resources to prepare.

Have Plenty of Drinks

Especially during the summer months, it is important to have plenty of drinks to keep your guests hydrated while they're at your party. It is hot outside, so having lots of liquid to prevent parched throats is a must. Lemonade, water, or soda are a few great beverages for summer parties, as they are cold and refreshing. You can also get creative with fruit juices thanks to the numerous fresh fruits that are in season. Be sure to also provide water.

Dehydration is an automatic party-killer. When sitting in the hot sun, failing to consume liquids can quickly have unfortunate consequences for your guests. Symptoms include sleepiness, feeling dizzy, and fainting, and can be seriously dangerous. Drinks will not only prevent this calamity from occurring but will also help keep your guests cool. There is nothing better than a cold drink on a hot summer’s day.

Have Foods That Are Easy to Eat

When it comes to refreshments, make sure you choose foods and snacks that are easy for your guests to eat. Unless you are throwing a sit-down dinner party, stay away from more involved foods like spaghetti or steak. You might not have room to set up tables, so providing foods which guests can eat on plates in their laps or while standing around is a great idea. Dealing with cutlery can get complicated and messy, so, while salads or baked beans can still be easy to eat, try not to choose foods that will require sawing back and forth with a knife and fork.

Veer mainly towards finger foods. Chips, dips, fruit, pizza, burgers, and traditional barbecue foods are extremely popular for summer parties mainly because of the ease in which guests can consume them. Brainstorm hors d’oeuvres and appetizers that will fit your party theme and make use of in-season produce. Keep the food light, like a cool summer night.

Have Music

Music will set the mood for your party and help mask any lulls in conversation. Party music doesn’t have to be complicated—hook up your phone to some speakers and press play on a summer playlist, or go all-out and hire live music for the party.

When it comes to building the perfect summer party playlist, think about your audience and the type of music they would enjoy. What are the ages of your guests? Try to include something for everyone. Also consider the theme and setting of your party. A beach-themed party could use some Beach Boys tracks or happy teen pop. Is it a day party or a night party? What do you want the mood to be? You will have control over the atmosphere based on what you decide to play.

Mix up the lengths and speeds of the songs—don’t play all fast songs or several slow songs in a row. You can also mix genres and decades. Make sure your playlist is long enough to last your entire party. Shoot for at least three hours long, and if you have to repeat the list, it won’t be the end of the world. If you’re struggling to figure out a good playlist, you could even hire a DJ to help you out. They are good at figuring out music to please a crowd.

Throwing a great summer party does not need to be difficult. Make sure you cover the essentials—comfy seating, exciting theme, cool drinks, good food, fun music—and a party to remember will soon be within your grasp. Incorporating these important party tips will make your party stand out while also coming together perfectly.

Read this next: Host with the Most: A Step-by-Step Guide to Wowing Your Guests