Backyard Entertaining Ideas for Labor Day
There’s a saying that goes, “Everything good and everything magical happens between Memorial Day and Labor Day.” We couldn’t agree more.
Labor Day is this weekend and what better way to celebrate the end of the summertime season while staying safe by hosting an intimate party en plein air?
With the right touches, you can elevate your backyard barbecue to an elegant and laid-back summer soirée.
We’ve got you covered with the best outdoor and backyard party entertainment ideas that will make your gathering the Labor Day event of the season.
First Things First, Safety
Prioritize the safety of your loved ones and be sure to follow the CDC and local guidelines for health and safety at this time.
It is still essential that we wear cloth face coverings to protect not only ourselves but also the ones around us. Also, be sure to comply with social distancing measures such as standing six feet apart and practice enhanced hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
You can learn more about the CDC’s “Considerations for Events and Gatherings.”
Comfort is Key
The key to any successful party, outdoor or indoor, is making sure your guests are comfortable. Be sure to have plenty of seating for your guests and consider fitting your chairs with outdoor cushions for added comfort.
Providing your guests with a blanket and cushions to sit on while gazing at the twilight sky would be the perfect cap to any backyard party.
Our tip: Look for cushions that go with the color scheme of your dinnerwear and décor.
Keep The Bugs at Bay
Nothing will bring your guests inside your home faster than the displeasure of having to constantly swat mosquitoes away. Before your party, get rid of any standing water in your backyard as these are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Have a good eco-friendly mosquito relevant readily available to your guests at all times or offer repellent bracelets. They even make mosquito repellent stickers/patches for kids!
Also, remember to put in some fans to keep the airflow going since mosquitoes tend to be weak fliers.
Our tip: Place sprigs of herbs that work naturally to repel mosquitoes in your flower arrangements. Lavender, lemon balm, and peppermint will help keep away the mosquitoes and the bees.
You could also place sprigs of herbs in small elegant vases and place them throughout your backyard on tabletops. This makes for easy summer décor that’s both fresh and effective!
Good Lighting
When the sun sets and the stars come out to play, your guests are going to need a source of light. Invest in hanging fairy lights or lanterns, even if it’s only a few strings, to brighten and make your space pop.
Candles also provide a great source of natural light, and we could all agree that everyone looks more flattering under the warm and ambient glow of candlelight.
Our tip: Add candles for an intimate and cozy feel and purchase them in scents that naturally repel bugs. We recommend the Michel Design Work’s Soy Wax Candles in Lemon Basil and Rosemary.
Tabletop Designs and Décor
Holidays give us the perfect excuse to throw an outdoor party, and with Labor Day, it’s a great time to show off your appreciation of all red, white, and blue – and American workers! Here are some of our tips for keeping your backyard party setup elegant:
- You can never go wrong with fresh flowers! The best choice would be ones from your own garden for a personal touch, but any mix of flowers will do. Summer blooms like lilies, peonies, and roses add bright and lively pops of color to your tabletop (and they smell divine).This crystal European mouthblown vase by Badash will hold both tall or medium flower bouquets and is perfect for a traditional or a contemporary setting.
- Find dinnerware, like platters and bowls, in summertime nature-inspired prints like this lemon and basil motif melamine bowl from Michel Design Works. This is a fabulous option for those of us who live in a colder climate and don’t have access to fresh blooms.
- Keep the food light but plenty! Stick to hors d’oeuvres and finger food. This allows your guests to move around freely without having to be anchored down to a chair and table.
- In-season fruits like fresh citrus placed in a beautifully simple decorative bowl make a statement – Julia Knight’s handmade Mother-of-Pearl pieces are both durable and elegant and a work of art in themselves.Her work would make excellent conversation pieces at any outdoor party!
- Check out the Michel Design Works selection of napkins, and hand cleansers in the red, white, and blue motif. They’re sure to give your Labor Day party just the right touch.
Set up DIY Stations/Bars
The ideas are endless when it comes to DIY stations. They are the ultimate backyard party entertainment idea because they’re fun, and they encourage your guests to talk over their personal creations.
Wow your guests with a DIY sangria bar! Set one up by placing chilled pitchers of your favorite red and white wine (and chilled juice or flavored tea for the non-drinkers of the bunch) alongside fresh seasonal fruit and herbs so guests can personalize their drink to their liking.
Add edible flowers for extra elegant flair.
Our tip: As we said, the ideas are endless! Think an iced-coffee bar, a DIY pizza station with all the different toppings, a smores station for the kids, the list goes on and on…
Backyard Party Entertainment Ideas for the Kids
Designate an area in your backyard where the children can run around and just be kids. Making sure the kids are having a blast means the grown-ups can sit back and relax with a glass of wine, undisturbed.
When kids think of outdoor parties, they will almost always think of some form of water play. Swimming in the pool usually does the trick, but if you don’t have a pool, a slip n’ slide or outdoor water play sprinklers works wonders.
You could also set up a mini-tent where the kids can pretend to go camping. If you want to go all out, set up a scavenger hunt.
A fun activity to do with the whole family when nighttime falls around could be lighting up some sparklers (this will make for beautiful frame-worthy photos).
Our tip: Create fun little welcome bags for your tiny guests that include things that will keep them occupied like bubbles, stickers, an activity book, and small toys.
Grown-up Party Favors
Never let your guests leave empty-handed! Send your guests home with a mini-package of some homemade or artisan treats so they have something to snack on during the ride home.
We have a massive selection of gift ideas on our website ranging from a wide range of prices!
Simple, Elegant, and Thoughtful
We hope we gave you some inspiration for your next summer backyard party! Remember, the key is just to keep it simple, elegant, and thoughtful. These are the touches your guests will remember and appreciate the most.
Browse our website for more pieces that will make your next outdoor soirée a success!
If you have any backyard party entertainment ideas of your own, let us know in the comments! We would love to hear your tips as well!
