As the weather cools and routines return to normal (or as normal as possible right now), it can be a great time of year to reconnect with a small group of friends and family who we might have not seen much over the summer (while social distancing of course).  Taking the time to plan a gathering with comforting details is a great way to say farewell to summer and usher in cozy autumn. Here are a few ideas for hosting a casual and end of summer party. Happy entertaining!

Planning a menu for those you love and care for can be such an enjoyable experience if you take a few simple steps to make things easy on yourself because the goal here is to spend time with your guests, not play the caterer role. Take the time to plan a menu that will be fun for you to prepare and that incorporates the bounty of seasonal vegetables that are available in late summer!

“Food is life. It is probably the most enjoyable aspect for survival. We are so fortunate to live to eat rather than to eat to live.”

You don’t need to spend a lot of time or money to achieve a beautiful ambience. Adding some simple florals (potted herbs and flowers from your local garden center or vases of cut flowers from your yard are great) and add candles to the table for a chic and casual way to create a welcoming atmosphere.

Make a simple salad with yellow watermelon, garden tomatoes, chunks of mozzarella cheese, red onion, arugula and drizzle with a store bought balsamic glaze!

Make it Mediterranean (and easy) with a Mezze Platter…it’s beautiful and healthy!

Or make it brunch…with a fabulous brunch board, or a more traditional brunch with one of these 12 recipes!

Let the location determine the theme for your table.

Add pillows and blankets to create a comfortable seating arrangement that will encourage guests to stay a while.

Create a signature cocktail using the last of summer’s bounty. A delicious, handcrafted cocktail like this Sweet Bourbon Peach Lemonade from Half Baked Harvest, won’t easily be forgotten, plus, having a specialty drink that is easily made will simplify the amount of work you’ll spend tending the bar so you can enjoy more time with your guests.

Create a beautiful buffet and let guests serve themselves…

1. Vary the height. Just as you would vary heights with centerpieces, you should do the same with a buffet.

2. Have a clear beginning starting with plates and ending with silverware.

3. Identify dishes so guests know what they’re eating. This is becoming increasingly important due to dietary restrictions.

4. Place small plates near each dish so that guests have a place to put serving utensils.

5. Position strategically grouping like items together, starting with salads and vegetables, followed by main dishes and ending with desserts.

6. Serve more cold food than hot. The ratio for buffets is roughly 80% cold food and 20% hot. Cold food is easier to refill and control temperature-wise, which makes this approach both more practical and safer from a safe food handling standpoint.  This ratio is also perfect for a balmy September evening!

7. Serve drinks at a separate table. Drinks can make table clothes wet which is a bad look so when setting up a buffet, keep your bar area and nonalcoholic beverages at their own stations so that guests can self serve without dripping into the hors d'oeuvres.

8. Fill in gaps on your buffet with seasonal decor, candles, and flowers. Depending on the time of year, you can use foliage, pinecones, flower petals, or even seashells to make your buffet table really pretty. If you use candles, make sure they aren’t scented — otherwise, they might compete with the delicious aroma from the food. When it comes to flowers, focus on single stems placed in low vases so guests don’t accidentally knock them over. 

Love this idea for roasting marshmallows!

Happy Entertaining!