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There will be family and friends gathering together across the nation to celebrate Memorial Day on Monday. The longstanding traditions surrounding this holiday are loved by so many, but why not color outside the lines and do things a little differently this year?
While parties typically call for paper goods – decorations, invitations, paper plates, etc. – this year we could all try to go green and use dishes and silverware that can be saved and reused in the future. The Memorial Day holiday is to honor those who have given their lives to protect our nation, so why not do our part in honoring our land by reusing and recycling! One idea for decorations is to save empty wine bottles and use them in place of vases. Invitations sent by email are green and inexpensive (or free), but if you want to actually mail out an invite, check out these, made from easy-to-recycle aluminum. I bought these plates at West Elm recently and I plan on using them for every outdoor party we have this summer. Don't you think they beat the typical red, white and blue paper plates? You might spend a little more money on purchasing these items, but you'll get so much more out of them. Not to mention, don't you hate it when you put your food on a flimsy paper plate and it soaks through? No one likes a mess!
Since an outdoor party calls for fun activities, the decor should also be whimsical and happy. How about using pinwheels to decorate and give the kids something to play with? You can find these at your local party store, or opt to make your own with this tutorial. And remember those aforementioned wine bottles? Fill the bottles with Christmas lights for a charming and unique decoration. Keep in mind that decor can be simple when you’re in the great outdoors because what surrounds you is already beautiful. Add some sunflowers to a galvanized flower bucket and you've got a great summer centerpiece.
Of course, there is the obvious choice of hot dogs and hamburgers, but don’t forget alternative options like turkey burgers or bratwurst. Veggies like corn-on-the-cob are a must, and are easy to grill, but what about adding some healthy summer salads, like these from Tree.com’s Food & Dining Blog. And there’s always this twist on the traditional potato salad.
If your party is near a pool, swimming is a fun activity for everyone to enjoy. However, if your backyard is grass only, try setting up a few lawn games. An old-fashioned game of croquet is a great choice if your yard space is limited. For a big yard or if your party is at a park, opt for volleyball or a friendly game of kickball. Another easy game to set up that is also easy to play is the ever-popular bean bag toss, or cornhole. Did you know that this favorite pastime has a set of official rules?
Hopefully, you've now got a few ideas to add to your party this year. Regardless of how you spend your Memorial Day, have fun celebrating!
Photo: KConners, MorgueFile.com.