Smilebox Blog

The long wait is over and summer is here! We all know what that means: the weather is warming up and the kids are bouncing off the walls about the recent end of the school year. What better way to kick off the season than throwing a party for your friends and family? To help you make the most of summer we have come up with four fun but simple party themes that will have everyone out in the sun in high spirits.

Party at the “Beach”

This classic theme can be pulled off even if there isn’t a beach within 100 miles. Set up a few tiki torches and beach umbrellas around the backyard, and if it’s a scorcher think about filling up a kiddie pool in the middle of the yard. Everyone will love dipping their feet in the water to cool off. To add to the beach effect, play tunes that will make people think of the ocean. A few of our favorite choices are Hawaiian music and The Beach Boys.

For snacks, get seafood for people to munch on while they’re enjoying the “beach”. Cocktail shrimp and crab are both great examples of refreshing, light snacks that you can pick up at a local grocery store. Cold drinks are another must on those hot summer days. Kids can enjoy their favorite soda while the moms and dads sip on pina coladas and margaritas. Yum!

Make sure to use an invitation that will capture the feeling of summer, like our Tiki Weekend invite, and ask that people wear their best “beach attire”. With this party, everyone will get to enjoy a day at the beach without having to worry about salt water and sand in their shoes.

Tips:

• If the weather doesn’t cooperate, don’t be afraid to move the party inside. Keep the music going, put up some fans for that breezy beach feeling, and clear some furniture out of the way to create an open space for people to mingle.
• See if any neighbors have a volleyball net you can set up for some authentic beach volleyball.

“Drive-in” Movie Night

Everyone remembers beautiful summer nights at the drive-in theater, but if you don’t have one near home, there’s no need to fret. This simple party idea will give everyone a chance to relax under the stars. For set-up, hang a large white sheet on the fence or the side of a house in a neighborhood backyard. To play the movie, connect your laptop to a borrowed projector and wait for it to get dark so the movie will show up well on the sheet.

To make the outdoor movie experience even more of a blast, put together a “concession stand” on a folding table complete with big bowls of popcorn, an assortment of snacks and candy, and some drinks for everyone to enjoy during the movie. Kids and adults alike will love the unique experience of an outdoor movie, and this way you won’t even have to pay sky-high movie theater prices. Make sure to take some pictures of your homemade theater to share with friends in a movie themed Smilebox. Action!

Tips:

• Pick a family-friendly movie that the kids will love, but will also keep the parents interested.
• Run an extension cord to plug in the laptop…no one wants the movie to cut out halfway through!

Neighborhood Block Party

Summer block parties take a little more planning, but can also become a highlight of the season for everyone involved. Use a Smilebox party invite to start some buzz around the neighborhood. For food, find someone that’s talented on the grill and can help you out by cooking burgers and hot dogs for the guests. Set up folding tables by the grill for a buffet-style dinner, and have every family contribute an appetizer, a side dish, or a dessert.

Everyone will have fun sharing dinner together and talking about their plans for the summer, but the party will be a real hit if everyone splits the cost of a cover band. The grown-ups will love the classic hits, and the kids will run around and dance to their heart’s content. If a band isn’t your thing (or doesn’t fit the budget), consider ending the night with a campfire. Everyone loves sitting under the stars on a warm summer night and snacking on some tasty s’mores with friends. Maybe you can even dust off your favorite spooky story?

Tips:

• Absolutely do not let your significant other get on stage and sing with the band.
• Everyone likes food and music, but some other activities like a sidewalk chalk art contest or a wiffle ball game will keep the fun going all evening.

Christmas in July

Once the Fourth of July is over and the fireworks have all fizzled out, there’s a pretty long wait for the next big holiday. Help fill this hole by escaping into the festive sights and sounds of Christmas for an evening. Invite your friends and family by sending out a Christmas party invite with your favorite summertime picture of your family. Encourage the party guests to wear their Santa hats, or at the very least get into the theme by wearing red and green summer attire.

Put up some simple Christmas decorations, including a piece of mistletoe in the doorway to spread a little holiday romance. If you want to go above and beyond, find a brave dad who isn’t afraid of wearing a beard in the heat and have him make a guest appearance as Summer Santa. Kids will love seeing the jolly bearded fellow in his swimsuit. For the music, create a mix of your favorite Christmas classics and great summer hits that will keep everyone singing along and looking forward to December.

Tips:

• Organize a simple White Elephant gift exchange and encourage people to bring fun, inexpensive items that will come in handy during summer (sunscreen, water balloons, beach towels, etc.).
• Put some “summery” decorations on a tree in front of the house to create a centerpiece that will welcome guests as they arrive.

We hope these themes spark an idea for your summertime fun. Make sure to keep your camera close-by to record all the good times out in the sun. When the party has winded down and you create a Smilebox slideshow for your friends, everyone who couldn’t make it is sure to be jealous. Happy summer!