Labor Day always falls on the first Monday of September, and for many, it is the last opportunity of the year for a big summer barbeque party. It is a special day intended to honor the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the country's strength, prosperity, and well-being. In addition to creating a great opportunity to spend time with friends and family during the last days of warm weather, holding a party is a special way to celebrate and honor the workers in your life. If you want your party to be the best on the block, we have some amazing tips to take your festivities to the next level.
Entrées
When it comes to the food, there are a few classic cookout staples that you'll want to make sure are on the menu. Grilled hamburgers are always a hit. You can't go wrong with the classic beef patty with cheese, lettuce, red onion, tomato, ketchup, and any other toppings you and your guests love. Including alternative options such as turkey or plant-based burgers are popular these days, too. As for vegetarian options, vegetable skewers are flexible, fun to assemble, and easy to grill. Grilling vegetables unlocks their natural flavors and are a healthy and appetizing source of nutrients for any age group. In addition, one can always include hot dogs to their line of entrées – they're easy to grill and customize with different toppings like relish, sauerkraut, mustard, or more. For something a little different, consider grilling up some chicken or fish - it's a great way to mix things up and still offer your guests all of their favorite cookout foods. Barbecued chicken is always popular, but grilled salmon is a unique and tasty pick that could be marinated or seasoned in a variety of ways and will stand out as a great choice for your party.
Sides
When choosing what to pair with a great selection of staple barbecue foods, a big bowl of potato salad or macaroni salad is a cornerstone choice. The best potato and macaroni salads are served cold or at room temperature, so they can be made in advance and refrigerated until ready to serve. This is a great option for getting as much of your food prep done as possible in advance. People of all ages love macaroni and cheese, comfort food that is so simple it will appease even the pickiest of appetites. Baked beans are a terrific option that can be made ahead of time and reheated or cooked on the grill. Grilled corn on the cob is a delicious choice, just remember to soak the ears of corn for a half hour before grilling to prevent them from burning on the grill. If you're outdoors and have access to an open flame or fire pit, gather everyone around when it gets dark with some smores supplies to light up the night with a universally loved dessert. Guests will love tasty pies and cakes, too. You can round out some other premade menu items with prepackaged store items like chips, pretzels, crackers, cookies, or vegetable and fruit trays. Whatever you do, make sure you have plenty of food to go around - no one likes being hungry at a party!
Drinks
When thinking of popular cookout drinks, cold beer always comes to mind and is a safe and favored choice for many. You could also introduce a few hard ciders or IPAs into the beer cooler for a more diverse and summer-themed selection. Nothing says summer cookout quite like a tasty, fruity punch cocktail bowl. Favorite punch choices for the season include jungle juice, watermelon punch (which can be mixed and served in the rind of a watermelon), and punches that feature popular summer citrus, like lemon. If you're looking for the right wine to pair with your food, red is often chosen, especially a sweet Zinfandel. In addition, be sure to have a few pitchers of iced tea and lemonade on hand for those who don't drink alcohol, or maybe a few varieties of soda and juice for younger partygoers. Everyone will appreciate cold water bottles or a large pitcher of water, too. Add some lemon to a water pitcher to add a zesty kick and added health benefits. And of course, don't forget the all-important cooler filled with ice to keep everything cold throughout the day.
Entertainment
There are plenty of options to choose from when deciding on party entertainment. Cornhole is a simple American game that has risen in popularity and is playable and adored by all ages. A frisbee is a simple and easy toy to play with in groups of kids or kids-at-heart. A classic and traditional lawn staple, croquet, is easy to set up and guaranteed to delight. If you have a pool, water games are always a hit - be sure to have plenty of towels on hand! Whatever games you choose, make sure they're easy for everyone to join in on - the last thing you want is for your guests to feel left out. As suggested earlier, a campfire is a great way to wrap up the end of a party by gathering everyone around to enjoy the warm atmosphere and some sweet treats. Finally, no cookout is complete without some good music to set the tone. Make a playlist ahead of time that includes all of your favorite summertime jams - think upbeat, feel-good tunes that will get everyone in the party mood.
Once you have your food, drinks, games, and music sorted, all that's left to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy your perfect Labor Day cookout! We hope our tips and suggestions help make this party the best one you've ever hosted. Wholey has you covered if you're still looking for the perfect meat and seafood for your party. We feature nationwide shipping on our specialty products to make your summer party the best!