Suggestions for a Summer Party  

Summer parties are a good time for cookouts. Grilling hamburgers and hotdogs and serving with the picnicky sort of items like coleslaw, baked beans and fresh fruit salad is what comes to my mind. Then there is always the old standby, order takeout pizza. These suggestions are for informal sorts of birthday parties. If you are planning more formal parties you might want to go with catering. That way the choices are almost endless.

I really like to go to www.Allrecipes.com and find foods I have never had before. Everyone has different tastes so I like a variety. I do a lot of dips and spreads because people seem to love those. Do you have a certain theme in mind or what? If you give me an idea of the kind of party you want to do than maybe I can give you some ideas. I always like do ahead foods so I don't get all wound up trying to get everything done at the last minute.

ive never plan a party in my entire life, but ive been to one, well ofcourse, lol, who hasnt, ive no sugestions, i dont cook those parties that i went to i dont even know the names of the dishes, and we eat diferent foods here than you do there, so no sugestions, just posting, passing by

Hi Remmie,

You didn't mention your budget.

My first suggestion would be a potluck. That's the best because it is easy, relatively low-cost and you get a wide variety of food if you plan it right.

But you said it is your birthday party? Then hmm, we can't have potluck - that would make you look other than generous and we certainly don't want that.

Over here, it is usually one of 2 things. Oh yea, we are so darn boring. Ha!

If you have a grand palace, you can have some BBQ in session and even some performance. Otherwise, if space is a concern, a buffet would be cool. You can order by $x per pax and everyone can have a good time eating.

If they sound boring to you, then you have to ask yourself what really constitute a SURPRISE for you. I can't tell you because I don't know you as well as you know yourself. It is YOUR birthday so do something you will really enjoy.

Cheers!

Hmmm, difficult because you haven't told us allot about yourself, your budget or your guests. But here's my ideas ....

As it's a summer event a barbeque would go down well. Make lots of salads, jacket potatoes, bread etc and I'm sure you'll find a guest willing to give you a hand at the grill.

Or a buffet style do would be easy for you once the party gets going. Just lay it out and leave folk to it. It can be as complicated or as easy as you see fit.

But if you only have a few guests, theme it up and have a sit down supper with menu, decor and dress to match. It's summer, so how about a tropical theme? I'm sure your imagination can come up with something!

I suppose it depends on the type of theme for your party, how large your guest list is going to be, and the type of menu you like! When we do summer parties, we tend to do a cookout or bbq and serve things such as cheeseburgers, hot dogs, steaks, grilled fish, grilled shrimp, grilled veggies, potatoes baked or cooked on the grill, etc. I also make or pick up potato salad, pasta salad, include fresh fruit and raw veggies and dip, chips, salsa and guacamole, etc.

If I'm expecting anybody who enjoys cooking and has a 'signature dish' of some sort, sometimes I'll ask them if they can bring it, like my best friend makes a really yummy fresh cucumber salad with tomatoes, italian dressing, and grated parmesan. I also usually will do a quick yet fun dessert, like fruit and angel food cake with a glaze and whipped cream, or a fresh lemon or orange cake with cream cheese icing, served warm with fruit or ice cream.

I like to include a variety of drinks, bottled water, regular and diet soda, juice or juice boxes for kids, and beer and wine or mixer ingreds or bottled coolers.

Just plan your menu around some of your favorite foods and look for easy recipes that use 5 ingreds or less and take short amounts of time to prep and cook. Decorating is easy, party stores usually carry inexpensive plastic table covers or cloths, if the party is taking place in the afternoon/evening you can use white christmas lights and turn them on as it gets late. Fresh flowers add a little jazz, as do candles. My suggestion would be to do most of your prep the day before so there isn't a lot of work the day of, and definitely use paper or at least disposable place settings, platters, etc to cut down on your cleanup work afterwards. Enjoy and happy birthday!