Summer is here! Make the most out of this summer by spending time with family and friends and celebrating all of life’s milestones.

Discover ways to fit more fun into the extra hours of sunlight as the days get longer with this list of at-home entertaining ideas. There’s something for everyone from the competitive to the creative to the child-friendly.

Here are the best ways to entertain this summer from your own home:

For the Classics

Hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill. The smell of freshly cut grass in the backyard. Nothing fancy or overdone. If these simple pleasures feel like summer to you, you’re in the right place for don’t-fix-what-isn’t-broken activities.

Grill & Chill
For fans of burgers and hot dogs, this summer staple is a real wiener, I mean, winner.Throw the beers in a cooler, chips on the table, mow the grass, and you’re good to go. Ketchup with friends you haven’t seen in a while and relish your time together. Simple, yet an absolute favorite.

Here is a great list of some killer summer side dishes to complement the grillmaster.

Keep Cool at the Pool
You don’t need to have your own pool for this one, but it helps! You can also set up a neighborhood pool, clubhouse, public lake, pavilion center, or even rent out a pool if you’re going all out for a milestone celebration you may have skipped over during the pandemic. Nothing beats the heat like floating in the pool with a slice of fresh watermelon. Add fresh lemonade, turkey sandwiches, and tons of sunscreen for a fintastic time.

Campers have S’more Fun
Unplug from technology (after you get the perfect picture, of course) with a night of camping. Whether you are a backyard “glamper” or want to reconnect with the great outdoors in a woodsy campsite, it is sure to leave you feeling relaxed and recharged. Cozy up around the fire roasting marshmallows for s’mores and telling ghost stories. Reminisce about childhood memories and make new ones.

You’re craving s’mores now aren’t you? Here’s some fun ideas on how to throw a smores party!

For the Creatives

These are for the avid entertainer and natural-born host. If you love a good theme with the perfect aesthetic (and Instagram story), then you’re sure to love these ideas. They may involve a few extra steps and a bit more participation, but they will leave a lasting impression and are sure to “wow” your guests.

Make-Your-Own
EMake your ownveryone loves to customize their own dish. From making your own pizzas to building your own taco bar – these are sure to be a crowd pleaser. It’s a great option for picky eaters too! Perfect for casual snacking if a sit-down meal feels too formal, and you can try so many different variations. Start with the classics like pizza, tacos, or burgers – or get creative with breakfast items, an ice cream bar, or even cupcake decorating.

Theme Night
Everyone loves a costume party, right? Popular ideas include Luau theme (BYO hula skirt) and a PJ party with breakfast for dinner. You could even try a Carnival theme and set up some fun games or for the foodies try a fiesta theme (piñata is necessary, margaritas are optional). Get out of the normal routine and mix it up.
Here are a few more of our favorite themes!

Backyard Movie Night
Backyard movie nightThis one takes a bit of technical support to set up the projector screen, but the unique experience is worth the AV effort. It’s not as tricky as you may expect. Put a couple of nails in the fence for the screen and set up the projector on a chair. Make some popcorn (extra butter, of course), grab the candy, a few blankets or bean bags, and the perfect movie night comes to you. Your guests may never want to go back to the movie theatre again.

Here is the projector we would recommend! Just add blankets and pillows and you have an impressive outdoor movie setup.

For the Busy-Bees

When you want to unwind, but your to-do list is a mile-long, the busy-bee list is for you. You just need 10 minutes to throw something together and an all-hands-on-deck approach to party-throwing.

Potluck Style
The potluck style is amazing because you get to try tons of awesome dishes and enjoy an eclectic mix of food. Plus it cuts down on prep and clean-up when everyone brings a pre-made dish. Just make sure you get an idea of what everyone is bringing so you don’t end up with five different salads.

Progressive Hosting
Here’s a fun twist on party hosting- progressive dinners are all about changing up the location of each course and work perfect for those of us who live in the same neighborhood. Simply elect 3-4 homes as hosts and each part of the meal is hosted in a new location. One house can be a cocktail hour, another can host appetizers, one for the entree, dessert and so on. These are so fun to mix up culinary tastes and get out and about without the hassle of reservations and tricky parking.

Need some help figuring out the logistics? Here is a great article!

Catered-In
catered inWhile a pizza party might be the obvious answer, there are so many great options. The best part: Simply make a call and leave the cooking up to the pros. Many local restaurants have catering options, even for small groups. You’re sure to have amazing food and no-fuss cleanup. Spend your time enjoying the company, instead of working behind the scenes.

Our favorite catered-in meal? BBQ! Try Lutz’s for their AMAZING flavored chips and mouth watering brisket.

Wine & Pizza Night
wine and pizza nightMany wine shops can provide recommendations and notes for you to curate your own wine tasting or go with a BYOB (bring your own bottle) style to learn and share recommendations with friends. Grab a pizza (no one complains about pizza night) and catch up on The Bachelorette or watch the kids play in the backyard.

Need some fun games to complement the pizza and wine? This is a great list of yard games no-hassle setup.

For Babysitter Nights

These are fun themes for those nights when the kiddos aren’t around. Sometimes just having the sitter play with them downstairs or in the backyard is enough to give a much-needed break. Here are our favorite entertaining ideas for the nights we have to ourselves:

BYOC (bring your own cocktail!)
Here’s an idea for the cocktail connoisseurs or cocktail curious! Everyone brings their favorite type of cocktail – anything from a classic old-fashioned to a fancy pineapple margarita. They are usually served in course styles. Alternatively, cocktails could be made in batches and guests can sip as they choose. This is a fun one for adventurous palettes and experimenting with flavor.

Need some ideas to get the creative juices flowing? Here are 65 summer cocktail recipes to try!

Wine Tasting, Whiskey Tasting, Beer Flights
beer flightsHere’s a great option if you like specific types of alcohol. There are groups who love IPAs, red wine, or whiskey tastings. Preferences are personal. Choose an adventure that appeals to the palette of your friend group or something that’s outside the box and novel. It’s a fun way to pretend like you’re at a Napa winery or a cool Colorado brewery. Grab a sampler of beer, a few different whiskeys, or a good bunch of cabernets, and enjoy a night of good company and good drinks.

Head on over to locally owned Logboat Brewery or Flat Branch Brewing and pick up some delicious seasonal sampling beers. If beer isn’t your thing, the local Les Bourgeois Vineyard is a perfect option for a few bottles at a great price point.

Spa Party
Spa partyYou deserve an afternoon to relax and unwind. Pour up the mimosas, bring in a masseuse, and put on the spa playlist on Spotify. This is just what the doctor ordered for a girls’ day that’s more casual than traveling to the spa. Pedicures from the comfort of your own home!

Check out more ideas to make the perfect spa day here.

For the Competitive Spirit

If even seeing who can fold the laundry faster turns into a competition, then you might like the competitive style events. Not for the faint of heart, but always entertaining. Here are our favorite ideas:

Cookoff contests
Cookoff contests are a high-stakes way to try amazing foods. Menus that work well include:

  • Slow-cooked meats like brisket and wings
  • Master chef style with predetermined ingredients and time limits
  • Favorite dessert recipes to compare and share

The options are endless. Try new things and tally up the scores at the end. Plus, who doesn’t love bragging rights?

Game Night
game nightThis type of game night can include bags and washers in the backyard, card/board games, or even charades or Pictionary. With a really competitive group, you can even create shirts and team names to boost team bonding. Put a fun prize on the line to make things interesting.

That rounds out our list of awesome at-home entertainment ideas. From a casual BBQ to an elaborate Luau, we have all the bases covered. And, if there are a few last-minute to-dos before the house is ready for guests, we can help you with that too.

Unpleasant odors when the AC kicks on?
Home that won’t cool down when extra guests arrive?

Call Clean Air Columbia at (573) 489-8303 or text (573) 279-0800 to see how we can help you prepare for your next event.
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