Top Ten Tips for Surviving Summer Celebrations!
Summer is finally here and we can’t wait for barbecues, lazy afternoon drinks and fun in the sun with little ones! As most of us know though, planning a celebration during the warmer months can come with its own challenges.
Here at Hooray Day, we love to share all kinds of tips, tricks and hacks so that you can make the most of your precious time, and say Hooray to your special day!
Check out our 10 top tips for surviving summer celebrations:
1. Keep your table looking fresh! When the temperature rises, it takes a bit of extra effort and planning to make sure your food stays fresh and looking good. Get on the front foot by choosing options that aren’t going to melt or get sweaty. Chocolate, delicate icing and cheese can be a bit risky! Keep wastage and wilting to a minimum by bringing smaller amounts of food out at a time and keeping trays or tubs of extras in the fridge to replenish your table throughout.
2. Keep the bugs at bay Nothing is a bigger buzz kill at a party than, well, something that buzzes! Supplying repellent and soothing cream for any bites is a great idea, but it’s even better if you can stop the insects before they become a problem. Mosquito coils, citronella candles and natural diffuser sticks are all great options, of course you just need to be a bit careful when there are little ones around. Plan in advance and fill some small pots with sand so that you can pop your coil/candle/stick into them and then place them at a safe height when it comes time to light them.
3. Put together a little caddy of outdoor essentials! Think of all the emergency supplies your guests are likely to ask you for, and save yourself some time by popping them all in a clearly marked caddy or box. Sunscreen, insect repellent, wipes, paper towel and extra hats are all great inclusions!
4. Safety first If your celebration involves water play, even just a paddling pool, it goes without saying that it’s important to be extra vigilant. When there are lots of adults around and mingling, it’s easy to assume that someone else is watching the kids. A great way around this is to bring out a ‘lifeguard hat’, sash, or Hawaiian lei. Whoever is wearing the item of choice is responsible for keeping an eye on the kids at that point in time. If that person has to pop inside, or turn their back, they simply pass the hat along to another adult. That way at least one person knows that they are responsible for keeping an eye on kids around water at all times!
5. Be clever when it comes to icy treats! – There’s nothing better than an ice cream on a warm day, and parties are a perfect time for treats! When there are little ones involved, they can also be horribly messy though. Fear not, we have a few ideas to keep the stickiness and fuss to a minimum! Try pre scooping ice cream into individual food cups, or flat based ice cream cones and keep them in the freezer until you’re ready to hand them out. This way your scoops won’t be half melted by the time they reach their recipients. If you go with a traditional, pointy cone, stuff the bottoms with marshmallows to prevent drippage! Popsicle drips can be contained by poking the stick through an upright patty pan for serving, keeping little hands clean! If you’re serving your treats outside, fill a bucket or tray with ice and stick the popsicles into it or on top to keep them cool. Alternatively, go for a healthier and less sticky option that the kids will still love by freezing fruit in plain or coconut water.
6. Plan for all conditions When the weather is warm, it’s easy to focus on the heat and forget that summer afternoons and evenings can also be super breezy. Great for cooling things down, not so great for keeping tableware and decorations in place. Plan ahead and place your table in the least windy location you can find. Secure what you can and set out some table weights to be used if they’re needed. Get creative and find items that suit your theme – e.g. monsters made out of play dough and pipe cleaners, rocks spray painted a colour that matches your theme, jars filled with pebbles, flowers or even lollies!
7. Keep everyone hydrated A bit of an obvious one really! Of course water is a must, but also think about the water versus salt content of your food and make sure you have plenty of juicy fruit and veggies available for guests. Tempt little guests to keep their fluid intake up by adding a splash of juice or cut up fruit to water.
8. Create backyard hang out spots If you’re hosting your event at home, try to create as much shade as possible using beach umbrellas, shade cloths, teepees and beach tents. Think outside the box when it comes to seating and lay out cushions, rugs and blankets to create chill out zones for little and big guests alike.
9. Choose low key activities Depending on the age of your guests, the combination of friends, sugary food and fun could send them into excitement overdrive. That is absolutely fine, except that if it’s really hot, you could be looking at some overheated and exhausted kids pretty quickly. Encourage a bit of balance by choosing calm and relaxing activities where you can. Colouring in, blowing bubbles, paddling in a little pool – anything that encourages them to take it easy and stop racing around for a few minutes!
10. One for the big guests! Keep tabs on your bottle opener during an outdoor celebration by using a ribbon or piece of string to tie it to your drink table or tub. Oh the time this simple hack could save!
A Party Planning Guide and Checklist comes with every Hooray Day Party Kit. It covers the basics from planning your party spread to party games. It’s like having a party planner in your pocket!
