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Secure a bottle opener directly onto the cooler
There’s nothing more frustrating at a summer party than picking up a bottle of a preferred beverage only to find there’s no way to pop the top. Instead of endlessly searching the drawers for a long-lost opener, make sure one is always handy by connecting it to the beverage cooler with a piece of string.
Keep drinks cool with frozen water balloons
Keeping every party guest set with a drink in hand requires plenty of coolers and often, multiple bags of ice. Try replacing those heavy, bulky and budget-unfriendly bags with frozen water balloons instead. Available in surplus numbers at any local party store, water balloons are a fantastic and cost-effective way to keep drinks colder for longer. Fill as many as you need and freeze them the night before the party. When it’s time to bring out the drinks, simply place the frozen balloons in the bottom of the coolers and let them do their job. As an added bonus, frozen water balloons add a fun summer decoration to the coolers as the drinks disappear.
Make it easy for guests to label and track their glasses
A summer party with a long list of invited guests is bound to be fun, but keeping track of myriad cups that look exactly the same can be confusing. Solve the problem by creating a selection of personalized clothespin labels that keep drinks organized. Purchase a variety of decorative tapes at a local craft store and add a length to each side of a clothespin so each has a different design or hue. On arrival, your guests can choose the one they like and clip it to the top of their cup as an easy-to-identify label.
For trash, line and label a cheap popup hamper
Guests have a way of going through plenty of paper plates, cups and napkins during the course of a summer party. Finding enough trash cans to take care of all the leftovers can be a hassle. There’s no need to go out and buy additional bins when a laundry basket and garbage bag will do the trick. Put pop-up clothes hampers to work as makeshift trash cans by fitting a black garbage bag over the rim. Place the hampers around the party to be filled as your friends enjoy food, drinks and more. Using hampers in this way also adds a splash of color or fabric design to your party decor.
Place tea lights in mason jars for fast, easy mood lighting
When there just isn’t time to hang those romantic strings of bistro lights through the trees, incorporate the mood lighting at a summer party with mason jars and tea lights instead. It won't take you much time to design a collection of simple, yet elegant lights that you can place along tabletops or patio edging. Place a single tea light inside a mason jar or fill the jar with water first and let the lit candle float for a unique effect. Consider adding a doily below the jars for some texture and sophistication.
Secure a tablecloth so it doesn't blow away
Setting a picturesque outdoor table for a summer party is fine as long as everything stays in place. While you can decide all the decorative details in advance, there’s no guarantee that the wind will cooperate with your party plans. Eliminate the stress of worrying about a flyaway tablecloth by securing the cloth to the table with a length of charming accent ribbon.
Burn an empty egg carton on the grill to repel bugs
Nothing brings a party down faster than a swarm of mosquitoes and a lack of resources to keep them away. Instead of purchasing pricey repellent oils and coils, keep the pests at bay with nothing more than a cardboard egg carton and the grill. Heat the cartoon up so it catches on fire, then quickly blow it out and let it smolder on the fire-safe grill top. The burning cardboard releases a pleasant aroma for guests while the smoke works to repel mosquitoes.
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