Celebrating the end of summer is bittersweet. Make sure to say goodbye with a splash. Explore these awesome Labor Day party ideas to keep you fired up throughout the colder seasons.
Make it a day event
Labor Day is all about soaking up the sun with loved ones. Chances are your party guests will consist of family and friends of all age groups. To keep the ambiance of the party just right (and to avoid toddler meltdowns), host your party during the day. Depending on the ages of the littlest partygoers, choose a start time in mid-afternoon and wrap it up around dusk. This gives everyone an ample amount of time to soak up the sun and mingle. Parents can arrive a little late or leave a bit early to suit the needs of their little ones.
Forgo burgers in favor of finger foods
Take the stress and mess out of the day with an open approach to food. The traditional backyard barbecue menu is always a safe bet, but try to change things up a little bit. After all, you only get one Labor Day a year, and you should make this one count by embracing a hassle-free menu. Finger foods are an excellent option for all palates, both young and old. Serve summer-fresh salads, veggies and dip. Juicy seasonal fruits and finger sandwiches are great alternatives as well.
Create a Labor Day playlist
Your Labor Day party isn’t complete without music. Plug your smartphone into a loudspeaker and hit shuffle. Get creative and spend a little time creating the perfect mix of smash hits to say farewell to the summer season. If you don’t want to create a custom playlist, there are several music streaming services that offer ready-made playlists. Spotify, Pandora and Apple Music are three popular options that contain a vast array of music choices and playlists. Select a playlist that suits the mood and you’re ready to go.
Incorporate fun in the sun and in the shade
September’s weather can be unpredictable. Even if the weather forecast aligns with the Labor Day celebrations, you want your guests to be able to enjoy themselves and the shade. Set up board games on patio tables under big umbrellas, and create a lounge area for the adults to relax. Dedicate areas, whether indoors or outdoors, for kids to escape the heat, too. Chances are, they’ll be too busy playing with water balloons and sprinklers anyway, but having this option available for everyone will give you extra hosting points.
Make it a costume party
It doesn’t have to be Halloween to host a costume party. Labor Day is an excellent time to assign a dress code to your party theme to celebrate everyone’s career achievements. However, some of your friends and family members may be eager to get out of their work clothes on Labor Day weekend. So, encourage your guests to dress specific to a career other than their own. This is an excellent way to take ‘work’ out of the day while also allowing your guests to reveal something new about one another.
Labor Day parties are the perfect way to wrap up the summer with your closest friends and family. With these Labor Day party ideas, you’ll be taking your hosting experience to entirely new levels. You may just have the best party of the season.