Hosting a Backyard Memorial Day Celebration
Memorial Day is not only a federal holiday in the United States, but it is a day of observance and remembrance of those who died in service. In June of 1968, Congress moved the official date of Memorial Day to the last Monday in May in order to create a 3-day weekend. Today, it has become more of a day we spend time with family and friends, while there is certainly an air of remembrance on Memorial Day. This day has also been unofficially marked as the start of summer with many schools finishing for the year around this time.
This Memorial Day weekend many people will take road trips to visit family members or head to the airport to kick-off a nice vacation get-away. But, there will also be plenty of folks having backyard gatherings and spending time with friends and family right at home. However you spend your Memorial Day weekend, there are a few things you can take care of to ensure your celebration is a success when hosting a backyard Memorial Day celebration.
Tips for Hosting a Backyard Memorial Day Celebration
- Beverages – Refreshing beverages such as ice tea, lemonade, and fruit punch are a nice way to keep everyone’s thirst quenched. If you are serving alcohol, strawberry daiquiris, margarita’s and sangrias are great summer cocktails. Setting up drink stations works well along with coolers to keep drinks ice cold. Try to keep your coolers out of direct sunlight. Placing them under an awning will help extend the length of time your ice and drinks will stay nice and cool inside.
- Food – Outdoor grilling is a national favorite. You can grill just about anything: hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, brisket and more. You can also grill an assortment of vegetables for easy sides. Party trays work well for snacking such as cheese, olive, fresh fruit and veggie trays. When it comes serving a crowd, buffet-style is perhaps the easiest way. Another great tip is to keep a separate area for utensils, plates and napkins. This will keep the food line running more smoothly.
- Keep Cool – Keeping everyone cool and comfortable can be a challenge during this time of year. Use any outdoor fans you may have available. Keep your guests covered with umbrella tables, awnings, and canopies if possible. Providing decorative paper fans is a nice touch and can also be given as party favors.
Our team at South Tampa Smiles wants everyone to enjoy this Memorial Day Weekend safely and comfortably. We hope you find our tips for hosting a backyard Memorial Day celebration helpful. Place your focus on creating memories with family members and friends while enjoying your favorite Memorial Day traditions.
Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day from all of us at South Tampa Smiles!
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Further reading about the Memorial Day holiday.
