Last week I shared some fun, sustainable and reusable ways to decorate for Labor Day! Bonus points: You can use it all again come 4th of July!
You’ve picked up your plates and you’ve probably created a cute little graphic in Canva to invite your family and friends over to celebrate for a day that weekend!
Next up: What to DO with all of these people! More importantly – how can you enlist your community to contribute to the gathering? Not because you don’t want to do all the hosting yourself, but because – let’s be honest, Labor Day weekend is the unofficial CLOSING of summer and if you’re anything like me, you may find yourself to be a little… shot. Not tired of hosting, and definitely not tired of seeing your people – but tired of coming up with ideas to keep people entertained, and possibly ready to just sit back, kick off those flip-flops, raise a glass and savor all the goodness around you. Without breaking your neck.
My best advice for hosting during peak-season hosting (Christmas, July 4th, Thanksgiving…) is to farm out what you can to the friends who are truly gracious you’re hosting at all… because people do want to help. They want to contribute. And they definitely don’t want you to pull the plug on hosting another party this time, next year.
Here, we’re going to kill two birds with one stone and help you come up with some fun, interactive ways for your guests, and show you how easy it is to farm some of these ideas for games out – so that everyone can contribute. Party-goers love to bring something anyway, and always feel a sense of ownership when they’ve participated.
Steal our theme we’re running with this Labor Day weekend:
Summer Olympics: Backyard Edition & BYO-Playlist!
(Links are at the end)
Run down your guest list and form some teams and assign each group a game to set up or host. Here are some simple, nostalgic ones to get you thinking:
- water balloon toss
- cornhole tournament
- flip-flop relay race
- popsicle stick tower contest
- if you have a pool, belly flop contest
- forgotten song lyrics pool plunge (read below for details)
- slip ‘n slide runway competition (read below for details)
Pick up inexpensive medals or trophies!
Incorporating a BYO-Playlist!
Ask your guests to submit one song that defined their summer! Create a group playlist to play during the party. Spotify has a “Jam” feature now where you can invite your guests by texting or scanning your jam’s unique QR code! We did this when our NYC friends and their boys all visited and it was SO fun! Everyone loves it when their song comes on and it keeps the energy exciting and the vibes well-rounded! No one is sure which song will come on next!
This is also how “forgotten song lyrics pool plunge” or “slip ‘n slide runway competition” comes in…
Put someone in charge of the app and take turns singing along to the songs that come on the jam. Press pause at any time but the singer has to keep singing! If they don’t know the lyrics or sing them incorrectly, they have to jump into the pool! (You won’t have any complaints if your summer has been as hot as ours here in Texas.)
Slip ‘n Slide runway is a slippery, riskier game where you give your best RuPaul and work it down the runway (the slip ‘n slide) without falling! Add soap if you’re feeling extra.
I hope these ideas encourage you to get your people together this Labor Day weekend and celebrate another summer on the books! Just remember – your guests are so happy you’re hosting (many are so thankful they don’t have to host!) and are equally happy to contribute!
Happy Hosting!
Love, Linds xo
Reusable Water Balloons
Reusable Flip Flops for a relay race! I love getting everyone in the same pair to level the playing field!
Heavy Duty and Extra Long Slip ‘n Slide for the runway competition! Add soap if you dare!
Cornhole never goes out of style! Amazing for all ages, any time of year!
Popsicle Stick Tower Build Competition! Make it harder and have everyone use the narrow edge!
Because this is a competition after all!? This set has trophies and medals!
