Idea for m & m

A baby bath tub filled with crushed ice and used to serve icecream cones or Magnum ice cream .. Yum

A baby pool filled with ice and cold drinks - beer, soda,water ect

For years we had a Jimmy Buffett themed "Cheeseburgers in Paradise" party, with all things Parrot Head, including the items in the song, margaritas, Coronas, band and 150 plus guests. It was easy and big fun.

I like paper globes in white hanging from trees and a release of luminaries when dark.

One year we asked all the guest to bring a funky hat or with a theme, everybody youg and old got creative and decorated their hat or cap (one hat had the toilet theme, it was gross but fun), talk about instant breaking the ice, it was so easy to start a conversation with everybody at this wonderful party. We awarded the BEST creative hat and the WORST most boring hat, the pictures taken still bring great memories.

We line our yard with white garden lights. It's amazing how much more formal it makes an ordinary yard for a party.

Emily, do you have a photo?

I like to hang white battery-powered paper globe lights from the trees. They have a pretty, magical look. Sorry...this isn't my photo but gives the idea.

Maybe! I'll take a look!

I love a wheel barrel filled with ice and all the bottled drinks filled

"All the drinks sticking out. It looks really nice

cotton bandanas in summer colors for napkins, on tables as runners, or draped where-ever -

wash and clean empty soup cans, punch out fun designs - fill with a bit of sand or pebbles,
put in a votive candle --- good for lighting dark paths or walkways -

Build your own drinks with a mobile side table. I use an old library cart that I painted barn yard red. Create three main recipes on mini chalk boards, add homemade mixers such as infused sugar water with rosemary, basil or mint make for perfect alcohol free lemonades. For those that a need a boost, pretty bottles of gin or vodka with garnishes add a nice personal touch. Add lighting, a fire pit, draped lights from trees, remote battery candles makes the space more enchanting. Cherry on the top; good music...for the beer drinkers, I have a large brass container that I place on the bottom of the cart with beers from around the world, mermaid beer opener hangs from handle w/jute cord. Enjoy...

DH Design, I want to come to one of your parties! I also use the mini menu boards...kind of fun.

We had an aloha themed going away party around the pool featuring all things from the islands. We had leis for everyone, and most guests wore their ugliest Hawaiian shirts, as requested. We turned the pool house into a grass shack tiki bar using party store decorations and served a very popular "Blue Hawaiian" cocktail along with beer and soft drinks. I made tablecloths out of Hawaiian print fabric, with orchid and pineapple centerpieces, and served typical food like shredded pork sandwiches, shrimp and pineapple skewers, coconut fruit salad, macadamia nut cookies, etc. Tiki torches and white twinkle lights provided atmosphere after dark. It was all very festive, and a big success.

All great ideas! We recently attended an open house cocktail party where the host served up Cocktails in Mason Jars which was a nice simple touch. We also like the idea of using bagged tea lights to illuminate the pathways. Some example photos we found:

It seems like everybody is finding ways to store the drinks. That sounds like my kind of party. Haha
I really like the torch lamps around the area while having an event. It will keep the bugs away too.

Just wanted to share this from the LA Times today. A restaurant/bar in LA serves these amply-garnished Bloody Marys. Ha-ha...might be something to consider for your next summer party!