Your Guide to Summer Hosting with Less Stress

A few simple ways to host without the stress this summer - so you get to enjoy the party too.

Summer parties are a pleasure: long evenings, good people, food eaten outside on the roof deck or backyard while the light goes golden. The trick is doing enough ahead of time so that you actually get to sit down and enjoy it.

Here are the things that help, grouped into four parts: planning early, setting the scene, feeding people well, and leaving yourself room to enjoy it.

Plan early

Give yourself enough leeway - three to four weeks is ideal. The earlier you start, the more relaxed you’ll be on the day.

Stay organized with lists: supplies to buy, ingredients to source, tasks and chores to do. If you’re cooking, write out your dishes alongside when each needs to be made, and flag anything you can prep a day or two ahead.

Ask guests about allergies and dietary restrictions ahead of time so your menu works for everyone. And if you’re hosting outside, have a backup plan for bad weather.

Set the scene the night before

Setting up before you go to bed makes the morning-of so much easier. Set the table or buffet station the night before, along with decorations and any party furniture.

Prepare for heat, sun and bugs - umbrellas or pop-up tents create shade and keep guests comfortable. If you’re using disposables, clearly label an easy-to-find trash and recycling area.

Then set the mood: soft lighting for evening parties, a long playlist, and maybe some freshly cut flowers or a candle.

Feed people well: party food that holds up in the heat

Prioritize making a few things that look and taste good. Tried-and-true recipes beat experimenting with something new the day guests arrive.

A simple formula that works: one signature drink, two appetizers, and one customizable main - like burgers or tacos, where guests build their own. Batch your drinks ahead and set up a self-serve drink station so people can refill themselves.

For the food, lean toward dishes that hold up in the heat:

• Grilled skewers

• Burgers and sliders

• Pasta and grain salads

• Fruit salads

• Sandwich platters

• Ready-to-go desserts - something pre-cut or portioned you can pull out at a moment’s notice (cookies, bars, jarred mini cakes and pies, hand pies)

Avoid anything that melts or wilts easily, needs constant reheating, or requires last-minute assembly.

Leave room to enjoy it

The more you prep ahead, the more you can be with your guests rather than stuck in the kitchen. That’s really the whole goal - a party you get to enjoy too.

And if the rest of summer could use a little of that ease - Easyfeast sends a personal chef to cook a week of family meals right in your kitchen, so you have more room for the good stuff.