Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! - Ps. 100:1-2

“I can feel a sunshine stealing into my soul and making it all summer, and every thorn, a rose.” — Emily Dickinson

Summer is the perfect time to gather your community together! The sunshine, warmth outside, longer days, and nostalgia of summer all can lead us to want to host parties, to make delicious food with fresh produce and to enjoy time together. 

I know I love a good summer party! Inviting over a few of my favorite people, maybe some that I don’t get to see as often. I love to research new recipes. Open up the door and send all of us outside to enjoy the sunshine! Maybe even play some music on the record player. Occasionally, we will break out the yard games, board games, or find some other activity to do together. It’s something that builds those summer memories!

THEME

“Summertime is always the best of what might be.” — Charles Bowden

The beautiful thing about a summer party is that the theme is already right there for you! Summer! But of course, that doesn’t have to be exactly what you choose. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking about what works for you:

• BBQ: The classic. Grilling delicious food, yard games, sunscreen, and music.
• Star gazing: Make s’mores, stay up late, look at the stars, even star themed games, music or food.
• Movie Night: Popcorn, fun movie, deserts, all the trimmings to make a great movie night! You could even borrow a projector and set up a movie outside. 
• Olympic Party: With the Olympics starting on July 26th, create a party all around one of your favorite events.  
• Picnic: Pack all your favorite picnic foods and then choose a beautiful location to enjoy your food and your time.
• Book Club Party: Choose a book, invite fellow readers to join you, and set your party about a month away. Then for the day of the party, create fun drinks and foods that match your book and chat about the book.

Choosing a theme can help you decide all the other pieces of the party! But also, don’t stress about it. Just choose something you enjoy, and you think your people can enjoy with you!

FOOD & DECOR & ALL THE PIECES

“Summer afternoon — summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” — Henry James

Here is the fun part! So go crazy and enjoy creating a fun party.

Food:

• Cater. This is a great option if it’s a big party or if you are cramped for time.
• Potluck. Have all the people coming bring along a dish to share! 
• Full Menu. For those of you who love cooking and making food, go all out. Find new recipes and make them.
• Smaller Pieces. For others, it might be a better idea to create a smaller menu and focus on recipes that are easy and fun.

Decor:

• Make your own! Or have your kids help you.
• Buy some decor sets from the store. Fun way to make it all look cohesive.
• Hire someone! Did you know you can hire people to create balloon designs for your party? Or even just party designers? Awesome!

All the Pieces:

• Let yourself dream and be creative about ways to make the party special.
• Goody bags! Not just for kids' birthday parties. You can also create little bags of goodies for your party.
• Music. Create a whole playlist specifically for your event. Or search for a good playlist on spotify.

Have fun creating an event that is all the things you want!

LET’S START THE PARTY

“I was rich, if not in money, in sunny hours and summer days.” — Henry David Thoreau

The most important part of any party is actually enjoying yourself! Once all the things have been put together and created and set up… just enjoy it. As an introvert and recovering perfectionist, I know that sometimes I can get caught up in worrying and taking care of the party. Yet that will take away from the beauty of gathering as a community together. Sometimes I give myself a few moments before the party, so that I can prep my mindset. 

My hope is that you can enjoy this summer season and all the time with your people! Tell us what kind of party you will be planning. 

“Paradise is a state of mind / Where mother nature nurtures and man is kind / We need a change now wouldn’t it be nice / If we could bring back summer.” — The Beach Boys, “Summer in Paradise”

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” - Ps. 118:24