Purple skies, thick, warm air, a light breeze with a slight chill. And according to the great, Noah Kahan, “endin’ of August, the bugs are just starting to die”. Summer is ending, but how do we say goodbye? We’re here to hold your hand on your way to becoming the best host on the block when it comes to sending the season off right.
- Set the Mood Before You Set the Table
Start with the vibe then attack the menu. In order to weave a consistent thread through the entire event, you need to first establish: How do you want people to feel? Summer represents fun and freedom, so don’t be afraid to let your vibe swing into the eclectic. Experiment with mismatched linens, mixed lighting (think candles, string lights and table lamps) and unexpected bouquets.
Take a deep breath and officially enter step 1: Choose one clear style to guide your decisions. Try a bohemian picnic, English garden party, coastal dinner, 1920s chic, rustic Italian supper or modern tropical. From there, pick a simple color palette of three to five shades. A garden party might pair sage, blush, cream and soft yellow, while a coastal table could use navy, pale blue, white and sand. For something bolder, try coral, tomato red, pink and citrus, or plum, rust, olive and warm ivory. Once your style and colors are set, use them as a filter for every choice, from the flowers and linens to the glassware and menu cards. This will keep your soiree looking cohesive while also feeling fancy-free.
- Build a Drink Station so You’re Not Stuck Playing Bartender
With your aesthetic established, it’s time to move onto the centerpiece of your extravaganza…the drinks (yes, we put drinks before food). You can keep things simple with champagne, bottled water and cans of soda, or choose one signature drink that matches the mood, colors and setting of the event. Think about where the drink comes from, how it tastes and how it will look on the table.
We chose a vibe where Italian garden party meets outdoor coastal dinner, so an Aperol Spritz felt like the right fit. Its Italian origin supported the theme, its light citrus flavor worked well for summer and its bright orange color went with our color scheme (let’s be honest, that’s the most important part).
You do not need a long cocktail list. One well-chosen drink, plus a few easy nonalcoholic options, can make the menu feel thoughtful without making hosting more complicated.
Avoid watered down drinks by providing your guests with a drink station where they can pour, open or mix their own drink. Keep your party-goers cool by stocking up on ice. 5-gallon bags of ice are neither chic nor easy to carry – don’t worry, we got you. The Kenmore Countertop Ice Maker churns out up to 26lbs of ice a day and your first batch of bullet ice is ready in 6-7 minutes. Translation: you’re not making an ice run mid-soiree.
- Cook Once, Mingle All Night
You planned this party, so you should actually get to enjoy it. Our best tip is to build the menu around food that can be made ahead, served at room temperature or finished in one batch. If “chef” is not on your resume, follow this foolproof formula: 1 easy appetizer, 1 main dish, 2 sides and 1 dessert. Think marinated olives and cheese, grilled chicken or salmon, a large grain salad, roasted vegetables and a cake or tart made the day before.
When choosing recipes, look for ingredients that hold well instead of dishes that need constant attention. After 100+ years of throwing parties, we’ve learned that certain things are key to making the menu easy for you. Skip anything that must be fried, anything plated one serving at a time or things that must be served the second it leaves the stove. Platters, skewers, sheet-pan meals and large salads are easier to serve and give guests the freedom to help themselves.
Any dressings, desserts and marinades should be made one or two days ahead, to save your sanity on the day of. Chop vegetables, set the table and assemble cold dishes the morning of the event. Save only the roasting, grilling and final garnishes for the last hour. If you have an induction range with true convection, put both features to work: bring water to a boil quickly while vegetables or a main dish roast evenly in the oven.
Before guests arrive, transfer everything to serving dishes, add spoons and tongs, and place drinks where people can serve themselves. The goal is to have the kitchen mostly closed once the party starts, so you can spend the night enhancing the vibe with your incredible hosting skills (instead of hovering over the stove).
- Build in a Moment to Say Goodbye to Summer
Nothing levels up your party game like adding an unexpected, special moment. At some point after dinner, when things are winding down. Pour the last round, light a few candles and ask each guest to share one thing they will remember from the summer, whether it is a trip, a meal, a person or an ordinary day that ended up meaning more than expected. Keep it light, no speeches required. Then raise a glass to the season you shared and the people who made it special. It only takes a few minutes, but it gives the night a little heart and lets summer end with intention instead of quietly slipping away.
- Make Room for the After-Party
Everyone knows that an unplanned hour at the end of the party is the part everyone loves the most. Some guests may linger while others head home… your usual suspects are opening the last bottle of bubbly. As the table clears, let the evening relax and soften. Bust out the slower music, bring out some blankets. Maybe you pre-plan a little smores moment and if it feels right, you light up that fire and let the evening end on a small, unexpected surprise. A farewell to summer does not need to be perfect. Choose a mood, grab some food and drinks that fit and give yourself time to wind down this season of life with those you love most. Summer might be coming to an end, but the opportunity to make memories is always just beginning.
Stay tuned for more ways to make your home, table and celebrations feel unmistakably yours.
