Easy ideas to make summer celebrations sparkle

(ARA) - Summer's here, kids are home, the weather is warm and everyone is looking to celebrate the season with a party. Summertime party experts encourage hosts to take a fresh approach to party planning by creating themes that turn ordinary get-togethers into fun events.

By adding a little color, setting a theme and serving simple, yet delicious foods like fresh fruit and hand-dipped chocolate strawberries, a backyard barbecue can suddenly become a summertime event.

From graduation and Fourth of July festivities to watching car races on Sundays and pool parties, Edible Arrangements, which designs hand-sculpted, fresh fruit bouquets, has decor and theme ideas to make any occasion a party.

Graduations
Graduation Party
Summer is graduation season and the party experts say graduation party decor should include a little pomp and circumstance. Invite all of your guests, not just the honoree, to sport their graduation gowns or a shirt featuring their high school mascot, college name or glee club affiliation. The themed outfits will create conversations and create a memorable event for the graduate. Four years of school may have been hard work, but don't let the cooking stand in the way of an excellent event. Host a buffet or set out finger foods. Edible Arrangements has arrangements large enough to feed big groups while enhancing the theme. Party hosts can order a graduation themed arrangement like The Graduation Celebration, a mix of chocolate dipped pineapple, melon, strawberries and grapes arranged in a graduation cap container to celebrate the milestone event. You can even ask the company to add their "Edible Numbers" to designate the graduation year in pineapple.

Fourth of July
Patriotic Party
Red, white and blue is the traditional theme of Fourth of July festivities. Adding these colors to barbecue cookouts will turn a blah smorgasbord into a colorful affair with fresh fruit baskets. Or for hosts looking to take a contemporary approach to Fourth of July decor, celebrate the season with a stars and stripes theme. Use stripes of every color and size in table decor and top with silver star ornaments, star cookies or star fruit shapes. Edible Arrangements Sweet Liberty Bouquet features a colorful combination of fresh, white chocolate-dipped and blue sprinkle-topped strawberries arranged with festive pineapple stars and grapes.

A Grown-Up Affair
Cocktail Party or Wine Tasting Party
Master party planners keep soirées simple, modern and fresh-looking. Stick with modern colors like bright orange and lime green. A vibrant color palate can create a festive mood. Bring the colors to life by serving juicy mangos and honeydew melons. It's easy to create a vibrant color palate using the big pieces that you likely already own by adding punches of color with pillows and candles to can transform simple parties into summertime soirées.  

Garage Gathering
Nascar Party
Need a larger space or an excuse to celebrate? Turn the garage into event central. With car racing events nearly every weekend, throw a race party. Get the party started with automotive-themed paper goods and other decorative serve ware, such as Edible Arrangements' NASCAR (R) collectable containers. Invite guests to play with remote control cars and other "fun" car-related toys.

Kids' Parties
Luau Party or Fiesta
From sandbox parties to sprinkler events, kids can turn any occasion into a party. However, hosts should encourage healthy foods at the bash. Rather than chips, serve carrots arranged like a sunburst or flowers with a hummus center. Or make fruit fun by serving it in a character-themed container or cut into fun shapes like pineapple daisies. Healthy foods should always be on the guest list.

For more summer celebration inspiration, visit www.ediblearrangements.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent

Summer Recipe Ideas - Serving in Style

Whatever event you want to put into motion this summer here are a few recipes, ideas and tips that will help with your plans.

 

Sweet and Sour Spareribs

2lbs. Ribs 2 T. vinegar
2 small cloves garlic (minced) 2 cup pineapple chunks (drain and save juice)
¼ cup brown sugar 2 T. cornstarch
¼ cup soy sauce

Cut spareribs n 1 ½" squares. Combine all ingredients except pineapple and cornstarch.  Cook 1 hour. Pour off excess fat. Place meat in separate bowl. Heat liquid. Add pineapple juice to liquid. Bring to boil. Thicken sauce with cornstarch. Cook until thick. Place ribs on platter. Pour sauce over spareribs. Arrange pineapple chunks on top. Serve hot. Yield 4 servings.

Luau Fever!
Everyone loves a Luau, and it's the perfect celebration for summer no matter where you live! Luau parties offer everything you need to surround you and your guests with the magical ambience of the tropics. Just add people, food, and drink, and you're all set for a fantastic time!

Smorgasbord Slaw

2 cups sugar 2 medium green peppers (chopped)
1 cup vinegar ½ bunch celery ( chopped)
½ cup water 1 ½ tsp. Mustard seed
½ T. salt 1 ½ tsp. Celery seed
1 large cabbage (shredded)
2 medium red peppers (chopped)

Combine sugar, vinegar and water. Boil 5 minutes. Cool. Sprinkle salt over cabbage. Let stand 1 hour. Add peppers, celery, mustard seed and celery seed. Add cooled vinegar mixture. Mix well. Chill. Keeps well a long time. Yield 3 quarts.

Cool Treats for a Sizzling Summer
Margarita Glasses are excellent containers for refreshing beverages or heat-quenching sundaes, while these Fluted Champagne Glasses make parfaits all the more inviting!

Refrigerator Pickles
3 onions
12 – 15 6" cucumbers

Wash and sterilize 3 quart jars. Slice washed cucumbers and onions in layers into the jars. Pack well.
Syrup:
4 cups sugar
1 ½ tsp. Celery seed
4 cups vinegar
1 ½ tsp. turmeric
½ cups pickling salt
1 ½ tsp. Mustard seed

Mix sugar, vinegar, spices together. Do not heat. This syrup should be cold. Stir syrup well and put over cucumbers and onions. Cover. Refrigerate at least 5 days before using.

Lemon Picnic Cake
1 yellow cake mix
1 pkg. Instant lemon pudding mix
¾ cup oil 4 eggs
¾ cup water

Combine cake mix, oil, water and pudding mix and beat 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time. Beat thoroughly. Pour into greased and floured 9x13x2" pan. Bake 40 minutes at 350 degrees. While hot, prick entire top with a toothpick. Pour over glace made with the following:
Glace:
2 cup confectioner’s sugar 2 T. melted butter
1/3 cup orange juice 2 T. water
Combine all ingredients and beat well. Pour over cake.

Sweeten Up Your Gatherings with Refreshing Treats

(ARA) – One of the top trends at restaurants right now is serving desserts that leave you satisfied with a refreshing flare. The good news is you can easily use this trend in your own entertaining. The right refreshing dessert is sure to impress your guests and end your soiree on a deliciously high note.

Here are some simple and sweet ideas you can use to add pizzazz to your next gathering:

* Add a Healthy Twist with Fruit Kabobs
Fruit is a delicious and healthy way to satisfy the sweet tooth at your next gathering. Fruit kabobs are a great option because they're both portable and fun for guests to enjoy, so they work for sit-down dinners or less formal buffets.

Start by choosing a variety of fresh fruit options. For example, strawberries, pineapple, grapes and melon are all great fruit selections are refreshing. Wash and cut fruit into bite-size pieces and alternate as you skewer the kabob. Present the juicy dessert on a festive tray for a way to add color to any entree. Add some flavorful fruit dips and you've made something everyone is sure to enjoy.

* Add Something Different with an Iced Coffee Dessert Bar
More and more people are drinking chilled coffee so you're bound to get a great reaction from your guests if you add an iced coffee dessert bar the next time you host a gathering. With the help of Seattle’s Best Coffee’s Seattle's Best Blend and a cocktail shaker, impress your guests by giving them a cafe experience right in your own home.

Simply cold brew Seattle's Best Blend by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water overnight to create a rich, smooth coffee concentrate perfect for the base of any iced coffee beverage. Hand-shake it together with water and ice or milk in a cocktail shaker and serve with flavored syrups, sweeteners and even whipped cream. To really make it a sweet treat, sprinkle your smooth, chilled beverages with fun toppings like crushed cookies and candy or add unique flavors with a dash of cinnamon or powdered vanilla.

* Cool Off with Sweet Sorbet
Sorbet is a frozen dessert made from sweetened water and iced fruit. Most often it is made without milk, so it is a healthier dessert option. A great treat, sorbet's refreshing fruit base is tasty and cleanses the palette.

Although you can make sorbet yourself, you can find many varieties at your local grocery store that will pair well with other dishes. Strawberry, raspberry and peach are popular flavors, but look for other, more exotic choices like kiwi, mango or pineapple.

* Reminisce with Root Beer Floats
Every generation enjoys a cold root beer float. It’s a guilty pleasure that will make guests smile and is a perfect dessert choice.

Start by choosing your favorite root beer soda. If you’re serving to children, there are many options that are also caffeine free. Pour the liquid into a cup and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Add a straw and serve. For a new twist on the classic dessert, try different types of soda such as orange, strawberry or cola. Courtesy of ARAconten

ENJOY!

Summer Party Invitations

Summertime is Party time

Luau

Under the Sea Theme

Nautical Theme

BBQ Theme

Cocktail Party

PARTY BANNERS
Theme Party Banners
Hula Party Banner
Tropical Paradise Banner
Luau Party Banner

For a little fun in the SUN!

Cactus Cooler Ring Toss Game
Disco Party Game

Bamboo Limbo Kit
Roll Up Limbo Pole

Blackjack Felt Tablecover

Summer Toys

Toys
Beach Ball
Large Pails and Shovels

Inflatable Toys
Inflatable Sandals
Inflatable Palm Tree

Stickers & Tattoos
Games & Puzzles
Treasure Chests
Cars, Trucks & Planes
Super Balls

Summer Inflatable Coolers

Palm Tree Cooler
Inflatable Tiki Cooler
Cactus Cooler Ring Toss Game
Patriotic Cooler

Summer Light Up Accessories

Glow Lite Ropes
Lightsticks
Glow Novelties
Blinking Party Items

Blinking Fiesta Beads
Blinking Fruit Beads
Flashing Porcupine Ring

Rainbow Lanyard

Hot Dogs and Hamburgers!

Cooking on the grill is a sure sign of a great summer party. Make sure to have plenty of mustard and ketchup.
Summertime Fun Party

Pink Flamingo!
Decorate your summer party with our hot pink flamingo paper goods.

Flamingo Balloon
Flamingo Lawn Decorations

Summer Patriotic Holidays

Patriotic Party Shop
Patriotic Paper Goods
Patriotic Decorations
Patriotic Party Items
Patriotic Lanyard

SUMMER is loaded with FUN celebrations!

July Fourth
Family Reunion
Class Reunions
Fiesta
Pool and Beach Parties
Safari
Wedding
Cocktail Party
Open House
Reception
Sports Party
Luau
Pool Party
Vacation Bible School
Summer Theater
Summer Concert
50th Anniversary
Birthdays
Company picnic

For Safety at Night use Glow Lights

Glow Lite Ropes
Lightsticks
Glow Novelties
Blinking Party Items

 Birthday Party Supplies by ShindigZ.com

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