How to Host a Memorial Day Party

Memorial Day comes early this year, so now is the time to plan a special holiday party for your family and friends around Reston. Here are some ideas to get you started:

If you’re looking for fast and easy, set up an event on Facebook. You can limit your guest list by making it an “invite only” event. Add a cover page with a photo or graphic to set the theme for the day. With a Facebook event, you can also add helpful information to guests about where to park or whether or not to bring a swimsuit and towel for a dip in your pool or hot tub.

For something a little more special, consider an online invitation. There are many sites that will allow you—for free—to choose from one of their pre-designed cards. Themes range from patriotic to summer casual. All you have to do is fill in the details, select whether or not you want guests to rsvp and then send it to their email addresses.

You can always serve the traditional barbecue with hot dogs, hamburgers and potato salads. But just think about how many events with similar foods that your guests will attend over the course of the summer. Why not set a higher standard by choosing a different menu? There are so many options available to you, from crafting your own specialty ribs, to ordering takeout from Cafesano, which offers Italian catering in Reston, VA.  (If you’re pressed for time, bringing in food is more cost-effective than you might think, and a real stress reliever as well.)

For your main course, consider flavorful panini sandwiches or sandwich wraps. These are a particularly good choice on hot, humid days when cool foods are more appealing. Order both meat and veggie styles to makes sure that guests with every dietary preference can enjoy the meal. Pair these offerings with pasta salads or specialty green salad bowls.

Another other benefit of going with catering in Reston, rather than a do-it-yourself meal, is that you have more time to relax and enjoy the company of your friends. Instead of standing over a hot grill—and that can be brutal when the sun is shining and the temperature is climbing into the 90s—you can simply unwrap the platters at the appropriate time and serve. (And there’s no worrying about getting hamburgers cooked to the right degree of doneness for your fussier guests.)

For dessert, you can’t miss with a special red-white-and-blue sheet cake, iced with vanilla buttercream and decorated with strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. A make-it-yourself ice cream sundae bar is always a hit with, but you’d better plan on serving this inside a cool, air-conditioned room. (And don’t forget to have plenty of napkins close by.) Or if you plan on sticking with the Italian menu, why not opt for some freshly-made cannoli? For the younger set, consider small ice cream cones—topped with colorful sprinkles—or cupcakes with red, white and blue candies on top.

It’s the first party of the season, so go all-out with decorations that reflect your theme. For a patriotic celebration, you can’t go wrong with red, white and blue plates, napkins and cups. (And you can always buy in bulk and save any leftovers for July 4th celebrations.) Since uninvited guests like mosquitoes and other insects may also put in an appearance at your party, don’t forget to have plenty of bug-repellant candles and/or torches spread throughout the party area.

For a special touch, ask your guests to bring photos of family members who have served in our country’s military. Set up a bulletin board in an area where everyone can see it, and invite your guests to post those photos and a description of their loved ones’ military service. It’s a great ice breaker, an interesting way to share some family history and a moving reminder of the real meaning of the day. 

Cafesano is a local restaurant located right here in Reston, offering a variety of Mediterranean and Italian catering and dining options.