You’ve been cooped up long enough! It’s time to get out and rediscover all the things you love about summertime. From eating sliders in the backyard, picnic lunches in the park and catching lightning bugs at night, it’s easy to understand why summer is the happiest season.
Looking for summer party plans? Lenox has you covered. Whether it’s a summer birthday party or simply a seasonal get-together, here are five ideas for making the most of your time outside. We only have one rule: whatever you do, make sure it’s with the friends and family that you love!
01
DIY Cocktail Party
Remember the excitement of hearing the ice cream truck coming down the street? Recapture that same magic (the grown-up way) with this fun and simple party trick. Take a few popsicles and flip them upside down in our Tuscany Classics glasses. Pour in some rosé and let the juice melt slowly into your drink for a fruity, boozy boost. The cool popsicles will keep your drink chilled—not to mention sweet and colorful. Serve yours on a platter, like this Brook Lane piece from Kate Spade New York. It’s a clever way to keep your spirits bright!
02
Dinner For Two
Here’s a great change of pace for couples who’ve spent a little too much time inside together. Switch it up with a picnic sushi night by the bay. If you’re extra thoughtful, you can handmake your rolls, but feel free to keep it simple and order out. It’s all about presentation and location for this date night. Serve up your sushi on Blue Bay. The touchable textures make it unique, while the fun patterns keep your table looking fresh. But the must-have for this dinner is Butterfly Meadow. Our new line is perfect for Asian cuisines; including sushi plates, noodle bowls, chopsticks, soup spoons and a Lazy Susan for easy sharing.
03
Backyard Movie Night or Watch Party
The sun goes down; the snacks come out. As the day fades into dusk, set up a projector for a low-key watch party. Little bites make the moment much more special, so be sure to stock up your pantry. For our move night, we made buttered popcorn in Blue Bay bowls and laid out chocolate chip cookies on a coordinating platter. Rounding out the snackable assortment is the Blue Bay bowl and tray set. Each bowl set comes in a unique design and gleams with a tiny gold rim at the top. We filled it with candy and nuts to satisfy both the sweet and salty lovers in our life. Press play and enjoy!
04
Pool Party
When the temperature climbs and the sun refuses to quit, there's only one right answer: get in the water. Here's how to host a pool party of your dreams:
Set the mood before anyone arrives by floating a few oversized inflatables in the pool, lining the edge with citronella candles, and positioning a self-serve drink station in the shade — filled with cold lemonade, mocktails, and even something a little stronger for the adults. For food, keep it hand-held and unfussy: sliders, fruit platters, chips and dips. No pool party is complete without popsicles, ice cream sandwiches, or even a DIY sundae station.
As the afternoon fades into evening, light your candles, turn the playlist down a notch, and let the golden hour do the rest. That unhurried, sun-warmed stretch at the end of the day — when no one wants to leave and no one has to — is what a great pool party is really made of.
05
Backyard Barbecue
The backyard BBQ is a summer party classic, and it's more than just dinner: it's a full afternoon of delicious food and drinks, good music, and fun games and activities. Commit to one great centerpiece protein, whether that's slow-cooked ribs, marinated chicken thighs, or the go-to hot dog and burger combo, and build a sides spread around it that does the real talking: a creamy potato salad, fresh-baked cornbread, and a platter of sliced watermelon that disappears faster than anything else on the table.
Don't let the paper plate mentality win. Lay out a real table with a linen runner, set your serving dishes family-style in the center, and add a simple centerpiece — wildflowers in a mason jar, a cluster of candles, a bowl of fresh lemons. Then, as the grill cools and the sun goes down, pull out the s'mores station, which is sure to be a great treat and activity to end on at your outdoor party.
Host a Summer Party the Right Way with Lenox
No matter which of these summer party themes you run with, a few key principles can make all the difference:
Prep what you can the night before. Chop your fruit, fill your pitchers, set your table. The less you're scrambling the day of, the more present you'll actually be with your guests.
Dress your table even for casual occasions. Real plates, real glasses, a small centerpiece — these things signal to your guests that you put thought into the gathering. Explore Lenox's outdoor dining ideas and set a summer tablescape to impress.
Go outside your own backyard. A park, a rooftop, a spot by a lake — sometimes the best thing you can do for memorable summer party activities is find a setting that does half the decorating for you.
Now get outside. Summer doesn't wait.
