5 Tips for Throwing an Epic Memorial Day Party

Memorial Day allows us to show our gratitude and respect to the brave men and women who have died while in military service. We honor and celebrate them with parades, memorials and, gatherings with friends and family. Memorial Day is also considered the unofficial kickoff of summer, so it’s the perfect time to host a budget-friendly party and fire up the grill. Plan your Memorial Day festivities with the following party tips in mind.

Organization Is Key

It’s easy to just sit back and enjoy the festivities when you’ve planned things in advance. Knowing how many people you’ll be hosting allows you to purchase the right amount of food, snacks, and drinks, but will guide you in determining how many plates, utensils, and napkins you need to have on hand. At one dollar zone!, we have all of the plates, napkins, cups, and decor that you need – all for only $1.

Send out your invitations as early as possible. Get your party details together and reach out to friends and family with online invitations from Punchbowl or Evite. Make a guest list and check people off as soon as they respond. Send out a reminder email the week before the event, and use social media like Facebook and Twitter to post updates. Paper invitations are cute, but you can save time and money that could be used for decorations or drinks by sending your invites online.

Consider Throwing A Potluck

There’s no better way to get your party-goers engaged than to invite them to be involved with the celebration. As host, you can supply the beverages, condiments and main courses, and rely on your guests to bring side dishes, snacks, and desserts. Make sure to keep track of who has volunteered to bring what, to avoid having ten guests show up with tortilla chips. Popular Memorial Day sides include green salad, fruits and vegetables, chips and dips, corn on the cob, and other grillable vegetables. Make a list of food categories available and send it out with your invitations for guests to sign up. Make sure you have a lot of bowls and aluminum pans to store extra food in so it is easily accessible to guests.

Don’t Forget Your Vegan Friends

It happens at almost every party – a guest or one of their dates has a dietary restriction. It’s not really a celebration if some of your party guests can’t join in. Make your party more inclusive by making sure their diet is accommodated. If you’re serving burgers or hot dogs, buy a package of vegan burgers, sausages or hot dogs on hand to throw on the grill. When making side dishes, try to avoid having bacon, butter, dairy or cheese in every dish. Keep shredded cheese and crumbled bacon in a separate bowl to be added if desired. Instead of dressing green salads beforehand, provide guests with a couple of dressing choices appropriate for different diets. When making mayonnaise-based salads like potato or macaroni, consider using a vegan mayo brand instead — none of your non-vegan guests will notice the switch. Also, keep a small package of gluten-free buns on hand for friends with gluten intolerance. Keep everything separate and avoid cross-contamination by having extra tongs, skewers, and grilling items on hand. At one dollar zone!, we have everything you need for grilling.

Create An Awesome Condiment Station

Having a variety of spreads, condiments, and toppings available can turn the most humble burger or hot dog into a masterpiece. Providing an array of condiments on a dedicated station allows your guests to slather and top to their heart’s content. Some condiment ideas that beat the standard mustard and ketchup include:

• Spicy ketchup and gourmet whole-grain mustards
• A variety of hummus options
• Guacamole or sliced avocado
• Chili beans
• Sauerkraut
• Spicy, tangy and sweet BBQ sauces
• Pickles, onions and fire-roasted peppers
• Sauteed mushrooms

Honor The Ones Who Have Served

If you are spending this Memorial Day remembering any friends, family members, or loved ones that served, consider organizing a hands-on craft that will bring everyone together. Grab some American flags or a big American flag banner and have everyone write a message or memory. You can also pick up some battery powered tea lights and place them in cellophane American flag bags and add a handwritten message inside.

Opt For Buffet Style Serving

The easiest way to serve a large group of guests is buffet-style. Set up your serving tables with plates, napkins and utensils at one end, side dishes in the middle, and entrée items at the end. Keep the cold side dishes like green salad, potato or macaroni salad on ice, and use warming trays to keep entrees and hot sides warm. Encourage your guests to move through the line quickly by having separate stations for condiments, snacks, beverages (and stemware and tumblers) and desserts.

• Get organized!
• Throw a potluck
• Serve food buffet-style
• Create an awesome condiment station
• Don’t forget family and friends with special dietary needs

Let One Dollar Zone help you throw the most epic Memorial Day shindig ever! We have everything you need to celebrate in style, on a budget. From plates, cups, napkins, and cutlery to grilling items, aluminum serving and storage solutions and snacks, hats, pins and party décor, one dollar zone! has you covered.