WHAT TO MAKE + HOW TO SERVE IT AT YOUR SUMMER BACKYARD PARTY

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Hope you have been enjoying summer so far, and staying cool during these heat waves! If you’re feeling inspired to host a brunch or dinner party, but don’t want too much on your plate (no pun intended), you’ve come to the right place. There are so many ways to entertain without spending too much money or time prepping. Below, find all of the backyard party ideas you need to host fun, stress-free gatherings all summer long. I’ve already shared my favorite summer hosting essentials, now it’s time to see them at work!

Summer Backyard Party Ideas

You don’t need much to throw a good outdoor party, but you do need a place for guests to sit and enjoy each other’s company. For a sit-down meal, we use this patio table and chairs. If your space doesn’t have a lot of shade, be sure to set up an umbrella (or two) for the comfort of you and your guests… You can find mine here.

The Decor

Few things dress up a casual table more quickly than a pretty placemat. I ordered these woven placemats from Amazon for a relaxed, beachy look. Other than that, a centerpiece of either fresh or faux flowers will do the trick for an easy backyard party scene! Here I chose to style my favorite faux hydrangeas with a classic hobnail vase so we’d never have to worry about our flowers wilting in the heat. If you need budget friendly and durable serveware to use outside, try these melamine trays, which match the style.

The Drinks

I’m obsessed with this ice mold wine chiller for all my summer parties! You can fill it with fresh fruit slices or flower petals for an elevated look. I love the citrus to go with orange juice if you’re serving mimosas at a brunch party! Sever the OJ (or your fruit juice of choice) in a carafe so it fits alongside your wine.

fruit serving tray with ice underneath for backyard party

This $5 tray is one of my favorite finds, helping you serve food on ice to keep it cool and fresh. Pair it with this chilled condiment server. P.S. If the tray is out of stock, here is a similar version to try!

The Food

When it comes to hosting a backyard party, it’s all about easy, crowd-pleasing snacks, like fresh fruit, caprese skewers, and my favorite corn dip recipe (below). If you’re serving dinner, you can’t go wrong breaking out the BBQ!

The perfect corn dip recipe for any gathering! Quick, easy and delicious. All you need to do is char the corn, onions and garlic. Stir in the remainder of ingredients, season to taste and add your favorite tortilla chips. We serve this often and everyone always loves it!