We know, we know, Memorial Day is this
weekend, but that doesn’t mean there’s no time left to throw
together a crazy backyard bash! Just whip together an invite list,
decide on some tasty snacks, and get this party started.
Get your parents on board
Just ‘cause you’re throwing a party
doesn’t mean it has to be an out-of-control blow-out. Know how many
people you want to invite before you share your plans with your
‘rents, and have the specifics nailed down, too. That means a menu,
activities and decorations, babe! You might score bonus points for a
compromise. Suggest that “we”—as in you and the family—throw
a party. Everyone could have some good friends there and you could
all have a blast.
Speedy invites
Traditional mail invitations are so two
weeks ago. Try using a web service like evite.com, setting up a
Facebook event or simply phoning or texting your friends to see if
they can make it.
Decorations
When in doubt, head to the dollar
store. You should be able to pick up piles of red, white and blue
crepe paper and streamers for just a couple of bucks, and probably
some American flags, too. Enlist your siblings or your bestie to help
you decorate the backyard. For a few laughs, pick up some party hats,
too, or make ‘em out of newspaper. We’re loving the traditional
cone shaped jazzed up with marabou or tinsel, or stovepipe hats
Easy food
Rather than expecting your parents to
chip in for all of the food expenses, ask your friends to help out.
Assign each of your friends to a different item on the menu. One girl
can be in charge of drinks, another in charge of snacks, and another
in charge of plates, napkins, and silverware. Dessert? Now that’s
your job. Get creative while coming up with dessert ideas. Baking up
some slice-‘n’-bake cookies with American flags in the middle, or
some red, white and blue iced cupcakes make for quick people
pleasers. For your main course, ask Mom or Dad to fire up the grill.
Fun activities
It’s time to go all-American! Set up
a table with old magazines, paper, glue and scissors and have your
friends put together themed colleges on what they think it means to
be American. Feeling sporty? Pick up a Wiffle ball and bat or a
Frisbee, or set up a game of volleyball or badminton.
Hooray for the USA playlist
Nothing can get a party rockin’ like
a fantastic playlist. Pick a few our top tunes, or your own faves.
Another awesome idea? When guests RSVP, ask them to suggest a song.
“Country Road” by John Denver
“Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd
Skynyrd
“Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus
“American Pie” by Don McLean
“Black Water” by the Doobie
Brothers
“Proud To Be an American” by Lee
Greenwood
“Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay”
by Otis Redding
“Born in the USA” by Bruce
Springsteen
“Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z and
Alicia Keys
So go ahead girlies, now you’ve
got all of the tips to making your Memorial Day backyard bash a hit.
Have fun and enjoy the party!
BY GL ON 5/26/2011 4:00:00 PM
POSTED IN memorial day, weekend fun, party ideas, get outside, spring parties, summer parties, backyard BBQ how-to, spring fun