Summer Entertaining Tips: How to Host Like a Pro

Summer is the season made for gathering — long evenings on the porch, cold drinks in hand, good food on the table. Whether you're hosting a Memorial Day cookout or a casual backyard dinner, these go-to entertaining tips will help you pull it off with ease and a little Southern flair. Cheers!

Perfect Some Easy Recipes

You don't need to be a gourmet chef to impress your guests. Master a few simple, crowd-pleasing sides — pasta salad, fruit salad, potato salad — and supplement with quality store-bought items. Pick up fried chicken from your favorite spot, set out a generous spread of Pimento Cheese with crackers as a starter, and your guests will be thrilled before they even sit down.

Stock the Bar

Any summer gathering calls for a well-stocked bar — but keep it simple. Batch a couple of cocktails ahead of time so guests can serve themselves. We love a bourbon sangria or a spicy margarita, and our Boozy Cherries® Bourbon Cocktail Cherries are the perfect finishing touch for an Old Fashioned or Manhattan. Don't forget nonalcoholic options — iced tea, lemonade, and sparkling water in a pretty ice bucket go a long way.

Style Your Tabletop

Half the fun of hosting is the setup. Stock up on melamine plates (outdoor-friendly and easy to clean), rattan placemats for texture, and bamboo-handled flatware for a classic, chic look. These pieces will carry you through the entire summer season.

Spruce up the Backyard

Elevate your outdoor ambiance with a few simple touches. Clip herbs and flowers from the garden for a natural centerpiece, light some unscented candles, and hang string lights so the evening can stretch on after sunset. Swap out worn outdoor cushions and add a few throw pillows for comfort and personality. Our Candle Shoppe has beautiful options that set the mood without competing with the food.

Cue up Your Playlist

No party is complete without music. Grab a portable Bluetooth speaker, head outside, and queue up something that sets the vibe. Spotify's Nancy Meyers' Kitchen playlist is a perennial favorite — timeless, warm, and full of good energy.

Shop the Party

Ready to stock your summer entertaining pantry? Browse our Best Sellers for everything you need to host with Southern charm — from Boozy Cherries to Pimento Cheese to curated gift sets perfect for the host who has everything.