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Lifestyle and entertaining expert Barbara Majeski is turning off the grill to have even more fun this Labor Day. She shows us how to have some serious end-of-summer fun with easy recipes, creative decorations and great DIY games.
Here's how to throw the ultimate Labor Day bash!
Aug.29.201804:10Seasonal Décor
Throwing a Labor Day party is a blend of trying to hold onto summer while gearing up for fall.
Using classic backyard barbecue décor of gingham tablecloths with beautiful floral accents is an ideal way to mesh the two seasons. Using this oilcloth fabric sets the perfect tone. Set out vases of fresh sunflowers to complete the look.
Delicious Drinks
Start off the celebration with some libations that everyone will be gushing over. Here are some ideas:
Blueberry Mint Spritzer
Ingredients
1 ounce blueberry vodka, preferably Smirnoff
1 ounce blue Curacao
1/2 ounce cranberry juice
1/2 ounce lime juice
1 pinch muddled mint
5-10 blueberries
Method
In a cocktail shaker add a handful of ice, vodka, blue Curacao, cranberry juice and lime juice. Shake and pour into a tall glass filled with ice. Garnish with the muddled mint and blueberries.
Madras Frozen Pops
Keep the kids away from this frozen treat! This one is for just for the grown-ups.
Ingredients
3 parts cranberry juice
1 part orange juice
1 part vodka
12 snack-size zip-top plastic bags
Method
In a cocktail shaker, add a handful of ice, vodka, cranberry juice and orange juice.
Shake and then pour into zip-top bags, seal tightly and freeze overnight (or, use a popsicle mold if you have one).
Kids' Hydration Station
Fill two giant beverage dispensers, one with water and one with lemonade and let kids serve themselves.
Food for Conversation
These festive foods do double duty as conversation starters and make it simple to talk since they're so easy to eat.
Mason Jar Pulled Pork Sandwich Station
People will never stop talking about this pulled pork sandwich station. Not only is it visually mouth watering with all the scrumptious fixings but it also gives the grill master the day off.
Set out every fixing you can find. Nothing is off limits. A few recommendations are guacamole, onions, peppers, lettuce, bacon bits and shredded cheese. Don't forget the hot sauce! Then in a larger bowl, cut up bread into bit size squares. Corn bread or a soft potato rolls are recommended.
Hand each of your guests a mason jar to fill and make their own sandwich. This eliminates the awkward hold-your-plate-while-eating-a-sloppy-sandwich-with-one-hand dilemma. Instead, this monstrous sandwich is contained!
The balance of sweet and savory flavors is what makes the pairing for tender pulled pork and freshly baked corn bread so perfect. Serving it in a mason jar keeps mess to a minimum and lets your guests customize their meal.
Corn-on-the-Cob Pinwheels
Using the food as part of your décor is a double dipping win! The crowd goes wild for these visually adorable and healthy side dishes.
Cut corn into 2 inches wheels and boil to your desired tenderness. Take skewers and pierce the wheels. Then stick into a foam stabilizer in a ceramic pot.
Darling Desserts
End the festivities on a sweet note with autumn-inspired treats.
Campfire-less S'mores
It's not fire pit season yet, but we are starting to get hungry for our beloved s'mores.
Ingredients
2 milk chocolate bars, preferably Hershey's
1½ graham crackers, crushed
12 pretzel sticks
12 marshmallows
Method
1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Microwave the chocolate in a small bowl for 1 minute, stirring until completely melted.
2. Place the crushed graham crackers in separate bowl. Thread a marshmallow onto each pretzel stick.
3. Dip marshmallows into melted chocolate, then into crumbs. Place on the prepared baking sheet and refrigerate 30 minutes.
Turn fresh apples, creamy pudding and candy bars into a sweet caramel-apple inspired dessert with just 6 easy ingredients. Kids and adults alike will love this creative treat. Get the recipe here.
Engaging Games
Keep kids entertained with fun backyard games that you can set up yourself using just a few easy-to-find items.
Re-purpose pool noodles for a fun javelin toss game. With just a few noodles and duct tape you can make a fun game to aim, throw and win like a backyard javelin pro. Find full instructions here.
Take game-time fun to a whole new level with a giant-scale version of the classic Ker-Plunk game. Get the step-by-step instructions here.