ARTICLES/ RECIPES/ FOOD TRENDS

PLANNING A LABOR DAY PARTY

End the summer the right way with a Labor Day cookout!!! From choosing festive invitations to creating the perfect menu, there is a lot that goes into planning Labor Day celebrations. With over 15 + years of culinary experience, I have learned the ins and outs of planning events. With summer coming to an end, you will want to knock the ball out of the park with your Labor Day party! So, make sure to check out some of my tips to plan the perfect party to impress your guests and celebrate the end of the summer. LET’S GET STARTED!

1) SEND INVITATIONS

What’s the point of throwing a party if no one knows about it? That is why it is so important to spread the word about your Labor Day celebrations by sending out invitations to your guests. Depending on your budget and the time frame of the event, you can send paper invitations or e-vites. Both are great options, but paper invitations have a more personal touch. If it is a small get-together, you can also call your guests to invite them. Regardless of which option you choose, make sure to include the following: (1) purpose of the event, (2) date, (3) time, (4) address, and (5) how guests can RSVP to the event. If you are having a theme for your Labor Day party, it is also a good idea to include the theme on the invitations. For example, no one wants to show up to a Red, White and Blue Labor Day Pool Party in an elegant dress.

woman celebrating american independence day

Red, White and Blue Labor Day Party

2) CHOOSE A THEME

My favorite events are the ones that have a theme! They give guests the opportunity to get excited, go all out, and be festive for the occasion. Here are some must-try themes for Labor Day:

1) Red, White and Blue
Just like Fourth of July, you can ask your guests to wear red, white and blue to your Labor Day party in honor of the American flag. You can also encourage people to wear stars and stripes in addition to having festive decorations and food at the event.
2) Whiteout
As many know, you are not suppose to wear white after Labor Day. Take advantage of this rule by encouraging your guests to whiteout the party in ALL white attire. With this theme, you can easily have a casual, laid back party or one that is more elegant. You can also create a menu of all white food to tie in the theme with the cuisine you plan to serve.

Artful Foods Catering Labor Day Menu

Artful Foods Catering Labor Day Sample Menu

3) CREATE A MENU

Choosing a menu is one of my favorite things about being a caterer. I am able to sit down with my clients, get to know them on a personal level, and create a customized menu made especially for them. No two events are the same so no two menus will be the same either. Here at Artful Foods Catering, we customize the menu to fit your theme and to include your favorite foods. Are you having a sit down dinner or are you having a buffet? Is it a small get-together or are you having a larger event? All of these are important questions to ask in determining your menu. For Labor Day, I typically suggest starting off with different appetizers, such as grilled jumbo shrimp and pineapple skewers, and then moving on to starters, such as charred corn salad with edamame, black beans, jicama, and lemon dressing. It is important that everything on your menu complements each other. You want your guests’ tastebuds to go on a wild ride during each course throughout the event. Therefore, each course should excite your guests for what is next on the menu. After serving the starters, I then serve a variety of summer entrees followed by festive, fun desserts.

3) DECORATE

Once you have delivered the invitations, chosen a theme, and created a menu for your Labor Day party, it is time to get creative with your decorations. Depending on the color scheme and theme you choose, you can either decorate in red, white and blue or in all white. One of my favorite ways to bring an event to life is through flower arrangements and table settings, because they are simple ways to include subtle hints of the theme in a classy, tasteful way. Need help planning a Labor Day party that will impress you guests? We have you covered!!! Call Artful Foods Catering at 310-512-6077.

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