Memorial Day Party Ideas: 12 Party Planning Tips

A Red, White and Blue Menu

Gathering friends, family or neighbors for a Memorial Day cookout? Use food and drinks to play up the patriotic color scheme, and remember the classic grill fare, too.

• Cocktails and Mocktails

  If partygoers are looking for libations, a few festive cocktails or mocktails bring in the color theme. For a refreshing summer drink, make a batch of watermelon or strawberry margaritas and dip the rims of the glasses in blue sugar. For a different take, whip up some vodka cranberry cocktails. Want to bring more blue to the scene? Serve Blue Lagoon cocktails complete with a maraschino cherry as a garnish. To accomodate kids and guests who prefer to sip on something alcohol-free, welcome summer with fresh lemonade. Make it easy for guests to serve themselves by presenting it in a drink dispenser with acrylic cups nearby.

• Something Sweet

  Another opportunity to bring color to your menu is with desserts. For something quintessentially-American, bake a pie with a red or blue filling. A blueberry or cherry pie is sure to please the crowd. For an out-of-the-box approach, consider setting up a candy bar with fruit-flavored treats that coordinate with the color scheme. Looking for a healthier take? Make a layered fruit salad in a glass bowl with blueberries and strawberries, and let guests top their portions with a dollop of whipped cream. If you are concerned about bugs, consider food tents to keep insects away from the confections and fruit salad.

• The Main Course

  With drinks and desserts providing the patriotic color palette, use the main course to welcome back summertime classics. Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to fire up the grill, so prepare a menu focused on foods that you can cook outside. To allow friends and family to walk around and mingle, serve hand-held options. Burgers, hotdogs and kabobs are portable favorites that fit the summer theme. Please the vegetarians in the group with veggie burgers, too. For a side, go with seasoned corn on the cob or homemade potato chips. Then, set up everything buffet-style to keep it casual, and label each dish for clarity.

Set the Scene for Summer

To embrace the warming temperatures, Memorial Day weekend is the right time to bring out the patio furniture and decor. If you haven't set up already, get the outdoor chairs and tables out of storage and onto the deck. Once everything is in its place, it's time to accessorize for the larger summertime holiday parties.

• Tabletop Decor

  To get ready for your feast, layer the table with patriotic linens. To start, place a red or blue runner across the table. Then, keep it casual with melamine dinnerware in hues that complement the motif. Remember to add other seasonal elements, too. For instance, make your own centerpieces by propping mini flags in bud vases. If you're hosting the party in the afternoon, think about ways to shield the table from the sun. Use a patio umbrella to keep everyone cool.

• Secure Extra Seating

  When you're hosting the whole block, you might not have room for everyone to sit at the table. If that's the case, you can get creative with seating. One way to make room is with portable outdoor tables. Make comfortable low seating by scattering a few outdoor pillows as impromptu floor cushions. Another approach? Picnic blankets. The children will think the blankets are a fun alternative to a traditional kids' table, and adults will enjoy kicking back with a beverage tub filled with beer or cider nearby.

• Remember the Details

  Partying until the sun goes down? Illuminate the space with string lights. Whether you line them atop the fence, hang them under the umbrella or wrap them around trees, lights or lanterns add ambiance to the space. Likewise, be prepared for cool night temperatures with a few outdoor blankets, or use the firepit to keep everyone cozy. For a kid-safe option, consider flameless candles tucked inside hurricane candle-holders, too.

Fun and Games

In addition to classic summer food, activities are a must for Memorial Day parties. Not sure how to keep the group active? Read on for a few of our favorite ideas.

• Activities for the Little Ones

  Before heading to a parade or firework show, get the party started in the backyard with kid-friendly visual displays. For instance, confetti poppers, glow sticks and bubbles let little ones safely play without any fire hazards. Sidewalk chalk on the patio or driveway is fun for kids, too.

• Games for the Grown-Ups and Big Kids

  Let the older members of the group get in on the fun with outdoor games such as bean bag toss. To up the ante, set up a bracket. Then, let participants compete for a trophy or sweet treat to take home. There are ways to get active even without much equipment. Simply setting out a few footballs encourages impromptu games of catch to keep everyone moving.

• Indoor Options

  Rained out? Have some indoor activities ready so the fun doesn't skip a beat. A board game tournament keeps big kids happy, while a coloring station with flag- or firework-themed crafts engages the little ones. For the grown-ups in the group, consider trivia games centered on military history to keep it on-theme.

Honoring the Fallen Servicemen and Women

Remember to embrace the meaning of the holiday, too. Whether you take your family to a history museum, watch a war documentary, participate in a local parade or write thank-you cards for active-duty troops and veterans, reflect on the origins of the holiday. Additionally, there are ways to commemorate the fallen troops during the Memorial Day party itself.

• Donation Collections

  Give back by collecting funds to donate to Gold Star Families, the relatives of U.S. servicemen and women who died in battle. Decorate a collection jar in red, white and blue. After the party, send the proceeds to a reputable charity. Another way to show respect is by putting together care packages for activity-duty troops. Asks guests to bring entertaining items such as books or games. Or, go with toiletries. Be sure to give guests advanced notice so they come prepared.

• Deliver a Toast

  Before serving the meal, take a moment to speak about the meaning of the holiday. Give a toast to the men and women who sacrificed their lives to serve the country, and express gratitude for veterans and activity-duty troops, too. Or, if one of your guests is a veteran, ask them if they'd like to speak. For visual impact, place a patriotic wreath on an empty seat front and center to represent the fallen soldiers.

• Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance

  Observed at 3:00 PM local time on Memorial Day, the National Moment of Remembrance asks Americans to pause for one minute to remember the people who died in military service. If you're hosting an afternoon party, be sure to set an alarm for 3:00 to pause any music or games taking place. To make the moment more poignant, consider a commemorative candle lighting.