If you ask any of my friends, I’m a big fan of entertaining. Sunday Funday is basically my middle name. Mickey and I love having friends and family over, whether it be for cocktails & music, barbecues, or sit down dinner parties. I full-heartedly believe that summer is the best time of the year to entertain because you have so many options for what you can do. With that in mind, I wanted to share my tips for throwing the perfect backyard bash – the main components you should take care of to ensure everything runs smoothly and everyone has a great time!
Activities
I love having something for my guests to do if they want to while they’re over. I don’t necessarily plan activities to take place at certain times but always have something set up for people to try out if they feel like it! For those hot days, a fun sprinkler (like my unicorn sprinkler from Big Mouth) or a kiddy pool are great ways to cool down. I also love having backyard games set up for everyone to play; a few of my favourites are Kan jam, cornhole & giant Jenga.
Decor
Not a super important one (unless you’re planning a themed or big party), but I feel like a backyard bash can always be enhance by a few little decor items. I’ve found some great items for cheap at places like Walmart and the dollar store – reusable, non-breakable dishes & serving platters are a great find at these stores and usually have cute patterns & designs. String lights add great ambience to a party once the sun starts to go down and are an absolute must for me.
Drinks
Assuming you’ll be having adults at the party, you’ll want to have a few different alcoholic (and non-alcoholic for the DDs, non-drinkers and any youngsters!) options. A few of my favourite options for summer bevvies:
- Joiy Rosé & Sparkling are perfect for those who like a little bubbly. On the drier side with just a bit of sweetness, they’re bubbly and smooth.
- SoCIAL LITE vodka cocktails have become my favourite “cooler” option out there. They’re light in flavour (similar to flavoured sparkling water), only 80 calories and extremely refreshing on a hot day. I would know since I’m sitting in the backyard drinking one right now. If you can get your hands on it, try the blood orange flavour. It’s my favourite of all of them but I’ve found it can be a bit tricky to track down.
- Of course, you’ll want to have some beer on hand for someone looking for a tasty brew. I’ve really been enjoying the new Wayne Gretzky Estates Rye Lager – it has an accessible but slightly heavier taste than most lagers you’re probably used to drinking, with a great hint of flavour from the rye. Perfect for fans of well-aged rye whisky.
- Where my winos at? The Serenity Sauvignon Blanc is perfectly refreshing for the summer and sharing with friends. Notes of tropical fruit and gooseberry give it delicious flavour. This dry white is definitely a winner.
Food
If there’s one thing that is an absolute must at a backyard bash, it’s definitely some good eats. I like to keep things pretty casual for backyard parties because we usually have people dropping in and out who just want to nibble. Keeping things easy also means you have more time to spend with your guests, which is always key for a get-together. The barbecue will be your best friend in this sense; prep everything beforehand and cook it on the grill when your guests are over so everything is hot. Chicken skewers are a great option, and I find that corn on the cob and a delicious salad never fail to impress.
Music
Don’t forget about the tunes! Spotify is a great source for some great summer playlists that will set the mood for your backyard bash. A few of my favourites are Soak Up the Sun (for a chill mood), Summer Throwback (which has a little something for everyone) and Summer Hits (for what’s hot right now).
There you go – my top tips for throwing the perfect backyard bash. What else do you like to include when it comes to summer entertaining?
