Create a Summertime Gathering to Remember!

(ARA) - Along with the warm weather comes neighborhood pool parties and backyard barbecue gatherings. To avoid yet another stagnant summer get-together, break tradition and invite everyone over for a summer soiree they'll never forget.

Here are some suggestions to making your summertime get-together the talk of the town. It's as simple as shaking things up for a party that guarantees a good time.

Connect the dots

Introduce your friends and create new connections. Take a Polaroid of guests as they arrive and pin them on a board. Have some colorful string hanging nearby and ask the guests to connect their picture to their two closest connections on the board, one of which can be the host. It's the contemporary take on six-degrees of separation.

Shake things up

Roll out the red carpet

Rent a large screen and play your favorite movies all night. Set up a table with buckets of popcorn and individual popcorn bags. Make it unique by having bowls of warm caramel and butter on-hand, along with salt, candy and shredded cheese. Kids will love it and parents will get some much needed adult-time.

Make it interactive

Take the cook out of the kitchen by creating an outdoor skewer station. Prepare in advance some vegetables, meat and fish for spearing so that even the host can have fun with friends. Chocolate fondue pots for fruit and marshmallows are perfect for dessert or you can fire up a mini-grill for seared pineapple and s'mores.

Bring the memories home

Gather everyone together to pose for a group picture and send it to all of your guests as a thank you for coming. For an additional takeaway, compile a CD of all the songs played throughout the evening. They'll always remember the fun they had and as an added bonus, will have a pre-made soundtrack for a party of their own. Courtesy of ARAcontent

Ready for a Lobster Boil?

Large plastic lobster
Sure - Nemo, Sebastian, and Patrick have had their fair share of being in the spot light, but ... move over because this lobster and crab are the new center of attention. Perfect as a centerpiece or even a decorative supporting-role. Plastic. 10" by 7".

Lobster party set for 4
A must have for you next lobster boil. Finally, fun instructions on how to eat lobster! Set includes: 4 paper placemats, 4 lobster bibs, 4 paper napkins, 4 lobster boats.

Lighthouse candles, pack of 4
Feel like you're in Maine when you light these adorable lighthouse candles. Lobster always tastes better by candlelight! Set of 4, 4" h x 1.5" w.

Lobster cocktail napkins
Boil 'em or grill 'em, crack 'em and eat 'em! Fixing to eat a lobster? Then you're in luck. We've got the perfect summer party cocktail napkins. Set of 20, 3 ply, 5" x 5" cocktail napkins

Summer Sunglasses

Neon Sunglasses
All Time Favorite! Rubber neon glasses come with assorted neon arms and a color mirror lens. A great party favorite!

Palm Tree Eyeglasses
Keep Out the Sun! Shade your eyes with our Palm Tree eyeglasses. Use as a napkin ring at your Luau party to accent the decorations, as well.

Black Wrap Glasses
The Look of the 90's! Black wrap glasses are an instant hit. For a hot look, select this very popular sunglass.

Jumbo Sunglasses
An Oldie But Goodie! Jumbo glasses have been given out on the dance floor for years. They are very popular for the party scene. Assorted per pack.

Sun, Moon & Star Masks
Great Assortment! You are the Sun, Moon and Stars when you decorate your guest in these masks. Mix with our other assortments for your party.

Aviator Sunglasses
Come Fly With Me! Aviator sunglasses are great for a laugh. They're sure to make your guests look silly in pictures. Here's a new look to an old style.

Child's Star Sunglasses
Be a Star! Brighten up the party with our metallic child size star shaped glasses. Great favor.

Gold Wrap Glasses
The Golden Wrap! Wear these matte gold frame sunglass with mirror lenses and look like a Movie Star. A great look, a great glass at a great price.

Child's Wrap Sunglasses
Hot Looking Glasses! Our colorful child size wrap glasses make a great loot bag favor.

Silver Star Glasses
Be a Star! Our silver glitter star shaped glasses make everyone a star at your event. Great in the sunshine, too.

Heart & Star Sunglasses
Assorted Sunglasses! This colorful assortment contains both heart and star glasses in different colors.

Neon Star Glasses
Be a Star! Our assorted star shaped glasses will make everyone a star at your event. Great in the sunshine, too.

Gold Star Glasses
Be a Star! Our gold glitter star shaped glasses make everyone a star at your event. Great in the sunshine.

Palm Tree Eyeglasses
Keep Out the Sun! Shade your eyes with our Palm Tree eyeglasses. Use as a napkin ring at your Luau party to accent the decorations, as well.

Cat Eye Glasses
The Look of Neon! Assorted neon colors accent our latest sunglasses. The interesting shape of our cat eye glasses will brighten your event.

Inflatable / Toys

24" Inflatable Sun
Inflatable Sun! Add a smile to your party decorations with this 24" inflatable sun, and let the sunshine in.

Summer Accessories

Sun Moon Star Necklace
Back to the Seventies! Our silver Sun Moon and Star Necklace assortment will be a great accent to your party.

LED Star Pendant
Sun, Moon and Stars! Light up your party with our LED pendant. Watch as you move and see the 3 colors flash at once.

Summer Party Kits / Decorating 

Tropical Wall Mural
Hawiian Sunset! Our 8' high by 14' wide Tropical Wall Mural comes as eight easy-to-handle panels printed on heavy mural paper make decorating a snap. A great backdrop for pictures when Luau's your theme.

Palm Tree Decoration
Palm Tree Decorations! Accent your tropical party with these over 5' metallic palm trees.

Luau Salt and Pepper
Luau Fun! Accent your table with our Hula Girl and Palm Tree ceramic salt and pepper shakers. Great Gift, too.

Metallic Luau Kit
Tropical Paradise! Decorate for your Luau with our fantastic Tropical Paradise decorating kit. Filled with banners, parrots, palm trees and fish.

Summer Headgear & Hats

Sun, Moon & Star Hat
Mystical Blue Sky! Sun, Moon & Star hats add a great look to your party. This popular felt hat stands three levels high.

Fun at the Beach Hat
Fun in the Sun! Colorful felt beach hat is a bucket shape. Feels like summer all year round.

SUMMER is loaded with FUN celebrations!

Don’t forget those Summer Birthdays!
Make it an extraordinary day for someone special.

Learn more about Playground Safety Surfaces

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Cool Treats for Summer Heat

Summer Party Packs

Toys and Fun Stuff
Beach Party Items
Beach Party Paper Goods

Beach Party Banners
Hula Party Banner
Tropical Paradise Banner
Luau Party Banner

Beach Party Mug
All You Need Is Sun! Having a beach party? Why not use our 16 oz beach party theme Lucite mug for your drinks. It looks like a moving coaster under your mug. Washable and reusable.