This Canada Day throw a stylish affair with family, friends and neighbours. Fire up the grill, pour another cold one, and check out our ideas to help you throw a fun outdoor soiree on July 1st.
Invitation Ideas
A laid back affair doesn't call for formal invitations; simply compile your list of family and friends at least 3 weeks in advance and start spreading the word. A simple email including directions and a link to where guests can print off a map to your place (try maps.google.com or mapquest.com) is all you need. Make sure to include the neighbours in this affair. It's a great time to get to know them and all it takes is a simple "Hey we're having a BBQ; you're invited!" to get people to come out during the summer season. Make sure to let people know whether or not they can bring their kids or a guest. Relatives or close friends may want to stay over after the fete and if you've got the space, invite them to do so—just make sure you'll be able to accommodate them.
Decorations
It's very easy to fall into an over-the-top red and white theme, however, you shouldn't feel the need to stick to traditional shades. We spoke to entertaining expert Kim Vallee, editor of the popular entertaining blog At Home with Kim Vallee, to get some ideas on how to decorate for a chic Canada Day party.
“Create a twist on the red and white theme by mixing different shades of greens or a nice aqua as accent colour. Green or aqua looks stunning in tablecloths and centerpieces," says Vallee. "For the dinnerware, I suggest mixing solid white and red plates. Great visual impact comes from alternating the plate color in each setting. If you’ve only got white china, you can use red serving bowls, red napkins or make red the main color of your centerpieces."
If you’re going for a more relaxed, beachy theme, Vallee suggests building it around a typical Canadian cottage. “Birch candles, logs and branches that are so popular this year are the stars of this theme. You can use a small galvanized garden bucket or plant pot to group together flowers. If you’re expecting a lot of children, they’ll get a kick out of eating on a wooden picnic table just like at the park. Or you might try simulating a camping trip by installing a tent in the backyard and creating a picnic atmosphere for lunch which will keep the young ones extra happy.”
Playlist
Get down to some great summer music! Nothing says a summer party like the sweet stylings of the Beach Boys. Don't forget to incorporate some Canuck music into the mix—you're sure to find artists of any genre that tickles your fancy, from hip hop to classic rock. Oh Canada, indeed! Here are a few albums to give a spin:
"Summer Beach Party" – Compilation
"Biggest Summer Hits" – Compilation
"Sounds of Summer: The Very Best of The Beach Boys" – The Beach Boys
"Legend" – Bob Marley and the Wailers
"2007 Juno Awards" – Compilation
Cocktail and Menu Ideas
Enjoying the outdoor weather means a patriotic flag cake or maple leaf cupcakes should definitely be on the menu (even if they're store-bought). Other desserts to try include summer classics like ice cream, apple pie and a fresh fruit medley. You may also want to try picking up a container or two of spiked sorbet; an alcoholic version of the regular treat that will satisfy those who love frozen drinks like daiquiris and margaritas. Crisp ears of summer corn rubbed with black pepper and lime take on a Mexican guise when roasted over the grill. Ribs and cuts of meat should be marinated in advance to further enhance their flavour. Plenty of side dishes like traditional potato salad and macaroni casseroles are easy to prepare the night before.
If you’re looking for an alternative to the tradition red meats, Valle suggests lighter fare such as fish. “When I think of a menu with a Canadian flavour, salmon jumps to mind. You can make two recipes: one with the Pacific species and the other with Atlantic salmon. Salmon is easy to cook on the barbeque and is fantastic when marinated in maple syrup. Serve the fish with a large salad of grilled vegetables dressed in a simple summer vinaigrette made with Dijon mustard, French shallots, White vinegar, olive oil and fresh herbs. Grilling red peppers, tomatoes, zucchini squash and Portobello mushrooms is a winner for outdoor parties as well.”
Beer at your Canada Day event is crucial. Take the extra initiative to round up actual beer glasses and place them in the freezer just before your guests arrive for an extra cool and refreshing drink. Have a few imported beers on hand to supplement the domestic majority of the batch.
Plastic cutlery and dishware is perfectly fine at a BBQ (in fact, it's usually expected). You may opt for regular cutlery instead of the plastic kind, especially if you'll be serving anything that's difficult to cut such as steak or pork chops. Make sure to set up a large garbage bin or two to discard plastic and paper dinnerware or your guests will awkwardly leave empty dishes and cups around the yard!
Party Activities
It wouldn’t be Canada Day without the fireworks, but it's important to keep safety in mind when using them. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
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Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks
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Read and follow all warnings and instructions
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Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks
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Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials
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Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned
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Keep a bucket of water nearby in case of a malfunction or fire
If you're going to be entertaining children as well as adults, make sure to give the young ones something to do as well. Picking up a soccer ball or two will keep them occupied for hours. Hoola hoops never go out of style—they're extremely inexpensive and children (of all ages) love giving them a swirl. For the adults, keep a set of cards and chips on hand for impromptu games of late-summer "high-stakes" poker. If you can swing it, you may even consider setting up a projector or TV for a late evening movie viewing under the stars.
Party Favours
If you want to send your guests off with a sweet reminder of the day, Vallee has this suggestion: “Giving guests a herb plant in a cute pot is a fabulous summer party favour. You can grow two herbs such as parsley and lemon thyme in a starting pot and then insert into a trapezoid votive holder or a small Masson jar. Fill the sides with red sand as the finishing touch. Lemon-thyme smells fantastic!”