Image from Kaba

‘Back to School’ signs are in every store window, snuggly fall clothes are creeping into the stores and cooler temperatures are merely weeks away – all this can mean only one thing – the long days of summer are coming to a close. But don’t panic yet – see summer out with a bang – a casual ‘End of Summer Party’! So here’s the plan:

1. Location, Location, Location

If you are fortunate enough to live by a beach, lake or river – fantastic, there’s the perfect location right there! If you’re really lucky, the location will allow fire pits, barbequing and alcohol. If so, you have no location problems.

For those less fortunate souls, there are backyards, balconies and rooftops. These are all great options which allow you to spend precious time outdoors. If your outdoor space is unsuitable, hazardous or just plain inaccessible – take the party inside. Just be sure to warn or invite the neighbors first. Sure, it’s not a nice as the beach but you can be resourceful – make it feel “summery.” For example, use fairy lights with wanton abandon, they make everything look prettier, a few lanterns and candles spaced throughout the area will give things a summery feel. Word to the wise, stop short of putting a load of sand in the living room to create ‘ambience.’  Trust me, you’ll regret that for weeks to come.

2. Beg, Borrow and Budget

Assuming you don’t have endless funding for this get-together, your best policy is to make your soiree an ‘interactive’ event. By interactive, I mean that guests should feel free, nay be encouraged, to bring their specialty dish for all to enjoy as well as their favorite tipple to enjoy and share. This will ensure that there will be a good variety of food and drinks, it and has the added advantage of allowing you to be able to afford the rent this month.

Nevertheless, you will likely have to pony up for certain party related products. Depending on the scale of your blowout, you will need the following:

Foods:

• Burgers, hotdogs and allied condiments – mustard, ketchup, onions
• Corn
• Fruit
• Chips and dips
• Side salads – potato salad or macaroni salad

Drinks:

• Water
• Sodas
• Beers
• Liquor of choice

Misc:

• Paper cups, plates
• Garbage Bags
• Napkins
• Garbage bags
• Plastic cutlery
• Garbage bags
• Aforementioned fairy lights, grass skirts and other summery decorations that really should be on sale by now.

Also, make sure that you have enough blankets, chairs or floor cushions to go around – that is where the begging and borrowing comes in.

3. Organize Foods in Advance

Be assured, the food preparation will take longer that you would like, so start early and get it over with. Barbequed burgers, hotdogs and corn are the staple summer party option, so if you’re location is out doors and offer a barbeque – you’re set. Otherwise, those disposable small barbeques can be purchased for very little and give that summer flavor to the air. If your party is indoors, prepare hot food in advance and just have it warming when people arrive – hopefully laden down with wonderful dishes they prepared to share. Lay out the side salads, and the fruit can be chopped into pieces and put on skewers for easy eating and mingling.

4. Prepare Drinks in Advance

Perhaps you have a specialty mojito or martini – make it in bulk in advance and it can be the party ‘signature drink’. Extra points if it’s a pretty color. To liven up your party a bit, water guns are a fun option if you have space like in a beach or the park. If indoors, you can fill the water guns with alcohol for a novel change.

5. Choose Music

A crucial decision here, you want an upbeat summery sound so probably stay away from The National just on this occasion but please don’t sink to Abba, people. Stable suggestions are Arcade Fire, Phoenix and The Strokes.

6. Have Fun