You guys!!! Im so EXCITED that it's finally starting to feel a little bit like summer here in New Jersey! I'm not a winter girl, I live for those long, warm, sunny days that are ahead. It makes it easier to gather with friends and family when the weather is beautiful and you can easily host dinner parties and BBQs outdoors.
I've put together a great little planning guide for your patriotic themed parties- think Memorial Day through to 4th of July and Labor Day. This mini guide mimics my larger planning guides- so you will get ideas for decor, recipes, and I've even included a free download for you at the end- so make sure you scroll through!
Dessert Table Set-Up
Balloons:
If there is one thing to know about me, its my deep love of balloons (and also my deep love of margaritas but I'll stick to party planning). I think these balloons would make for a gorgeous balloon garland that would be easy to set up! Click here to shop them.
Click here for my amazon list of items I recommend for balloon garland building.
Banners and Garlands:
Use these fun star garlands to add in another element behind your dessert table. I love them hanging vertical. Click here to shop them.
This mini banner may be small in size, but it's big on personality! I think it would be perfect strung across the front of a dessert table. Click here to check it out.
Dessert Stands and Platters:
I like to keep the color pallet running through all my serving ware, and this cake stand set is pretty perfect. Whats great about red is that you could use these not only during the patriotic holidays, but also for Christmas and Valentine's Day. Shop them here.
This pretty, slightly rustic blue and white star platter is so perfect for smaller desserts. Its bamboo so its eco friendly and perfect for anything poolside! Check it out here.
Runner:
I love to add a festive runner to my dessert tables. It really adds another layer to the table and makes the table more special than the rest. And when you hold the desserts, you are pretty darn special! This specific runner is paper, and can just be tossed after the party. Shop it here.
Desserts to Serve:
It's so fun to spend time looking on Pinterest for a recipe to either bring to a party or make for your next event that your hosting- but sometimes I get lost in the pins. I'm usually looking for a recipe that checks a few boxes- its easy, its festive, and I can make enough for a crowd. I sourced two recipes from Pinterest that I love for a patriotic gathering- just so we are clear, these are not my recipes- I will credit the awesome websites they are from.
4th of July Cookies from Lil' Luna: click here for her recipe
Brownie & Fruit Kebabs from Mel's Kitchen Cafe: click here for her recipe
Both of these recipes sound AMAZING and they are easy and cute!
If your looking to dress up some other desserts- like cupcakes or a cake, these sprinkles are so festive and fun! Shop them by clicking here.
I've also included some cute, printable cupcake toppers, so be sure to check those out at the end of this post!
Guest Table Set-Up
Plates:
The cutest parties start with the cutest paper goods! I love a shaped plate, so these red star plates are perfect!
Cups:
Some of you may know, I'm a little extra when it comes to certain things. And I'm totally loving the little "extra" vibe these tumblers are giving off. Plus, they are so shinny! I just love how these would look sitting along with the pretty plates and napkins we have picked out. If you didn't want to purchase them for all your party guests, maybe just buying them for the kids would be really fun and special!
Napkins:
I love how these napkins look next to the plates we picked. The stars are bigger and a bit more bold, and I think it makes for a nice contrast between the plates and these napkins. Check them out here.
Straws:
You could keep it simple and buy some red or blue plastic cups, but add in these awesome straws. They are reusable, so its a great way of always having festive straws on hand throughout the whole summer.
Centerpieces:
To finish off our beautiful guest table, let's add a centerpiece. Don't over think it, using something as simple as vases and flags can go a long way here. Check out what LeCultivateur did for her mantle here. I'm envisioning the same concept, but running them down the middle of the table. Perfect!
Well, if you made it this far, you deserve a treat! Click the link below to print your own cupcake toppers.
Click here for your FREE cupcake toppers!
PSSSTTTT- If you like this post, you will love our party design guides! Check it out here!
