Be the Host With the Most This Summer (Without Blowing Your Budget)

Be the Host With the Most This Summer (Without Blowing Your Budget)

Submitted by: Cheryl Conklin

wellnesscentral.info

Summer is creeping up fast, and there is no better way to celebrate than by hosting a fun

summer party with your friends and family. Not only will most of your guests have an extra day

off to enjoy, but the weather will also be warm enough to keep the festivities outdoors.

Never mind that your budget screams “paltry” instead of “party,” Premium Dakota Beef explains

how you can make memories without milking your savings.

Start with the entertainment

A backyard party does not have to be an extravagant event. Some open space, a cornhole

board, and a few good friends are more than enough for an enjoyable evening. However, if you

have a swimming pool, you have the makings for an even more remarkable reunion. If you

haven’t already, now’s the time to get your pool ready for summer. Gather your chemicals, bust

out the vacuum and inflate your favorite floats. Keep in mind that pool safety is your number

one priority. Designate a few sober adults to keep an eye on the pool, especially if there are

children present. As the afternoon turns to evening, you also want to pay attention to the water

temperature and make sure young children are high and dry if it drops below 85 degrees. This is

when, according to KidsHealth.org, babies become susceptible to hypothermia.

No pool? No problem. Host a dance party in the driveway or send the kids on a backyard

scavenger hunt. And speaking of that dance party, make sure you have plenty of tunes lined up.

If music is in short supply, consider signing up for a music service like Pandora or Spotify.

Lastly, if you intend to stream the music through your smartphone, make sure you invest in a

good screen protector to keep it scratch-free. This is especially important if you intend to let any

children use your phone to select some songs.

Set the mood (with food!)

If you’re honest with yourself, you’ll probably admit that the food is your favorite part of any get-

together. If you’re buying everything on your own, stick with seasonal produce. Right now, that

probably means strawberries and a few leafy greens. But that’s perfect for a strawberry salad,

strawberry smoothies, and fresh strawberry cake. And don’t forget about the grill! You can find

high-quality beef from Premium Dakota Beef on sale online.

You could also host a potluck party, which gives everyone an opportunity to pitch in. Food &

Wine suggests planning a party around a central theme and assigning each guest a specific

course, such as salads or appetizers.

Not big on potlucks? Two words: Taco Bar! A crockpot full of filler, a few boxes of taco shells,

and a bag of shredded cheese will please your entire crew.

The added extras

Food and entertainment, check. Now it’s time to make sure you have the proverbial loose ends

tied up. This means providing your guests with convenience items, before and after-meal

snacks such as popcorn for the fire pit (which you can DIY), and cold drinks throughout the day.

While a fully stocked bar is nice, that can get expensive fast. A few pitchers of summertime

drinks (make sure to have some that are non-alcoholic), a cooler full of ice, and a bottle or two

of inexpensive red and white wine are enough. better yet, consider cutting alcohol out of your

party plans completely. It's a sure-fire way to keep your costs down.

Make sure your guests are aware of the selection and have extra cooler space available for

those who choose too BYOB. If you’re short on coolers, now may be the perfect time to invest in

a mini fridge to keep your drinks cool and close at hand, plus these can come in handy

whenever you’re entertaining. Just be sure to find a reputable brand and model that’s built to

last.

In addition to refreshments, keep an eye to the sky and have plenty of sunscreen available, too.

Pool noodles and beach balls cost about $1 each and will provide hours of entertainment both in

and out of the pool. Depending on how much room you have in your yard, you could also set up

a giant slip and slide for about $50.

Don’t forget to stock your guest bathroom with toilet paper, hand soap, and towels.

Winter has its merits, but the weather is the reason for the summer season. Start yours off right

by hosting a fun and frugal gathering with friends. So, get the pool open, grab the camera, and

get ready to make memories that will last the entire year.

Image via Pixabay

Premium Dakota Beef offers the very best in Wagyu beef, whether you’re looking for burgers,

chislic, or a specific cut of steak. Contact us for more info today! 605-881-1961