Everyone knows that I love summer, in fact next to spring, summer is my second favourite season. From pool parties to exploring new countries, with good weather comes good vibes. Not only is everyone is up for socializing and letting their hair down but longer nights equals a more relaxed atmosphere. While pool parties are a lot of fun, being able to host your own ‘house party’ is a big draw for guests to truly unwind. It is during the spring and summer seasons that I truly wish I had my own home, so I could have my own summer gathering but still a girl can dream… right? Question is, is your home ready for summer party season?
Let Faded Spring be your guide and show you the top trends for a summer gathering, to make sure you are bang on trend!
Must-have Party Items
A prominent trend in events in 2017 is giving an expensive flourish to even the most basic of items. One of these is party plates. No longer will your guests be eating off cheap paper plates that lack any style points. Shops like Ginger Ray’s SS17 collection includes geometric designs and bold colours to really stand out from the traditional design.If you have the budget, napkins are also making their mark with trendy designs a-plenty. We love these cute gold pineapple paper napkins from notonthehighstreet.
Your glassware is so important too. This needn’t cost the earth though, as charity shops are full of interesting wine glasses, champagne flutes and beer glasses. Mix and match to your heart’s content as matching sets don’t matter at all. You might even stumble across some expensive glassware for a fraction of the original price! Last but not least is letter board signs. This party accessory has made a huge comeback in recent years, especially in weddings. For your party, invest in one or two to dot about with amusing anecdotes about the person the party is for (the more embarrassing the better) or with instructions for your guests i.e. ‘Karaoke hour 10-11pm!’ or ‘Party hard or go home…’
For a vintage look, Urban Outfitters has some great options, or for something a bit quirky, this board from Etsy is a good choice.
Popular Party Themes
The world has gone crazy for unicorns. From unicorn hair trends to unicorn-themed drinks – the recent Starbucks ‘unicorn frappacino’ for example – there’s little that hasn’t been given a unicorn look to keep up. Think rainbow colours, glitter and pastels galore in your decorations as well as unicorn horn headbands for guests.
©teenvogue
Where this theme really kicks off is with the food. This unicorn cake is amazing – whether bought or made yourself, this is sure to be a winner.
©taste
Another popular theme is Alice in Wonderland, giving a dose of fantasy to your shindig. Have lots of watches dotted around the place, some white rabbits to follow and golden keys. Create your own Mad Hatter’s tea party filling old teapots with tasty cocktails to sip out of cups and saucers of course.If the weather is nice, you can have the tea party outdoors (as it was in the animated film). Whether your kitchen or dining room lead off to the garden, bifold doors can open the two spaces into one, ideal for entertaining. When it gets chilly, you can get everyone inside for party games and more drinking!
For the younger crowd (or the young at heart) is the emoji-themed party. Make little cupcakes with a different emoji on each one, paper plates and napkins themed with emojis, and even send out this invitation to your guests.You can even ask people to bring a photo of themselves emulating an emoji and get everyone to guess which one it is. The attempts are sure to have everyone laughing and attempting it themselves!
©orientaltrading
The Beauty of Homemade
If you need to keep costs down, try to get creative by making some homemade additions to the party. Upcycling is great for this, turning old items and junk into new pieces of furniture or partyware…One great example is a tiki bar made from old pallets. This can be made cheaply and easily and can stay in your garden year-round ready for the next gathering. Pinterest has lots of guidance and inspiration of how to make yours – you can even decorate it to match you theme.
You can also make some extra seating from old tyres by using MDF and rope, like this example from Handimania. Ideal for outdoor parties or more intimate gatherings inside your home, plus you get to brag about your upcycling skills.
Party bags can also be done on the cheap by making some baked goods to drop in as well as a personalized little note from you. If it’s a small gathering and you don’t mind spending a little on something quirky and memorable to give, miniature succulents are a great idea. These tiny green treats from IKEA are ideal!
Float or Die
While ensuring your ‘house party’ has a great theme, attractive glassware and up-cycled decorations, the addition of floats will turn your house party into a night to remember. From swan to duck floats, even if you don’t have a pool they can make any house party 10 times better. After all what could be more fun than taking a selfie with a fake swan? So grab the disposable cameras and get snapping away!
What Are Your Top Trends For A Summer Gathering?
*Disclaimer
Compensated Collaborative Post
I’m loving the watermelon napkins! I have some similar from Tesco! xx
These are great ideas. The best thing I’ve seen so far, after our own unicorn birthday cake is a unicorn inflatable. It was the envy of everyone at the pool
I’m having a garden party in June for my son’s 1st birthday and we’ve gone for a rainbow theme, bright and bold. Love the napkins you’ve used here. Jo x
I love the watermelon napkins! I’m considering a Hawaiian theme for my 30th in a few weeks, so these would go nicely! x
OMG! I love that swan float. It will be great for my summer holiday in Mallorca. Not that I want to wish away my life, but I do wish summer would get a wiggle on.
I love the unicorn theme idea. I didn’t even realize that I was a part of the world that’s going crazy about unicorns, but I guess I am. Love it!
Ooooh love these ideas especially the gorgeous napkins – I say yes to popping colours!
I am in love with all things watermelon. I just got a new purse and swimsuit with them on. I too love summer and generally the energy of being outdoors and embracing the sun. I need that giant inflatable swan! It looks great!
Also, I love the bold colours you use on your website. Great imagery!
Nice tips! I find that huge swan so cute and funny 🙂 Waiting for the summer season to start. I just visited Finland and not even the spring has yet arrived… Luckily In Hungary the weather is finally nice and warm.
My daughter was born on June and I needon’t ideas for her party. I’d love an Alice in wonderland theme!
That is an amazing cake I must say. And I’d definitely have a go on a float! I quite like jazzing up the garden with some cheap and cheerful solar lanterns. I got some from Asda last year and they really brightened up the garden both during the day and night. I’ll be stringing some up again this summer, once our belongings arrive from the UK x
I love that Unicorn cake! I am all about the Unicorns just now! 🙂
I’m afraid I don’t really get the unicorn thing, perfect for my daughter but not for me
These look like great accessories for the perfect summer party.
I heard about that Unicorn drink from Starbucks it’s supposed to be full of sugar unfortunately but it looks great – very instagramable. The unicorn cake looks fantastic omg now that would be worth the sugar intake!
Whilst I rent my own place I rarely have summer gatherings because I am always traveling or going to my friend’s but I need to try and host something this year but need to prepare my home first
I just loved the list Anaa. Summer brings all the good vibes and these summer parties are what I wait for. Keep sharing this summer party themes with us 😊
I need to get some of these watermelon napkins. I am sure the unicorn cake would be a big hit.
The swan pool float is so cute, I need to get one for this summer. Great post :)!
http://prettyfitfoodie.com/
I think the emoji party goods are my favorite because I use emojis so much when texting!
There is so much innovation for the foodie lovers out there. Frappacino & the Unicorn Cake look great.
And the good part of your post is it is covered for all age groups..:)
Great post! I am going to have a summer party soon and I will come back and look here for inspiration!
Pineapples and watermelons seem to be everywhere at the moment. I’d love to hold a summer gathering and make the most of the nice weather when we get it x
For summer parties we do watermelon themes or some other summer food theme. I love the watermelon napkins! Summer really is a great time for get together and parties. So many cool ideas!
Great ideas. I love the unicorn. Even the watermelon is so nice.
Great picks, these, especially that floatable swan – that’s adorable! Bring on the summer!
Those Watermelon napkins are so cute!!
Great picks for summer gatherings! We love to entertain in the summer and have been sprucing up the back deck. Some string lights, a grill, and a fire pit always make for wonderful evenings with friends
That unicorn cake looks so cool! That really is a great idea to work with a themed party!
There’s nothing like a good party, these sound like some great items I have to admit I’ve seen some awesome glasswear items.