Planning The Perfect Labor Day Party

by Alden Smith

Labor Day means the unofficial end of summer. It is the perfect time for one last great party, complete with parades, barbecues and good times. Here, we will discuss ways to throw the perfect Labor Day party.

Keep It Simple

Keeping your party plans simple is not only good sense, but allows you to enjoy the company you invite.

Here is a checklist of things to plan for:

• Send invitations early for favorite friends and family members. Because it is the last real holiday of the summer, you don’t want to have these guests off somewhere else.
• Always ask for an RSVP, not only for party planning, but as a common courtesy.
• Plan a menu that is simple. Nothing says you need fancy meals for an outdoor barbecue. Favorites are hot dogs and hamburgers, barbecued ribs, coleslaw, potato salad and a mix of whatever drinks you prefer. Wow your guests with a huge pitcher of sangria.

Here is a great recipe: Charlie’s Springtime Sangria

• 1/2 cup Captain Morgan’s Rum
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 1 (750 milliliter) bottle dry red wine
• 1/2 cup Peach Schnapps
• 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
• 1 orange, sliced into rounds
• 1 lime, sliced into rounds
• 8 to 12 Bing cherries
• 2 cups ginger ale

DIRECTIONS

1. . In a large pitcher or bowl, mix together the rum, lemon juice, lemonade concentrate, orange juice, red wine, and peach schnapps.
2. Float slices of lemon, orange and lime, and Bing cherries in the mixture. Refrigerate overnight. Add cold ginger ale just before serving.
3. This recipe, from All The Best Recipes, serves 4. Adjust accordingly. Permission was given to include this recipe.

If you consider barbecued ribs for the main entrée, try smoking them. A good article on smoking ribs can be found on any of the many recipe sites on the web. The great thing about smoking ribs is that it takes about 3 hours in the smoker, and during that time you can entertain family and friends.

• Ask for help. Don’t be a martyr and try to do it all yourself. If you have a large extended family, enlist them to bring a dish to pass. If your outdoor barbecue is like most, then you might find yourself manning the grill for hours on end as people eat. Get a grilling partner to relieve these duties.
• Keep decorations simple. Some patriotic banners from the dollar store are nice, along with flags for the children. A Labor Day party doesn’t have to be an extravagant affair. Planning ahead is the key here. Make preparations well in advance. Nothing stops you from making potato salad and coleslaw a day or two ahead, and if others bring dishes to pass, the party becomes super easy. Don’t be afraid to enlist the help of family and friends. The party is, after all, a celebration of the American worker.

Alden Smith is an award winning author and regular contributor to DoItYourself.com. He writes on a variety of subjects, and excels in research.