Dinner in the Garden

Invite List: 6-8

Guest Type: Your coupled friends

Make the most of a gorgeous summer evening by taking a casual dinner party outside. Create an intimate space in the corner of your yard with a patio table, and dress up plastic chairs with small pillows for added comfort. Keep the area lit with string lanterns (bonus: these can stay out all season long!), and set the table with single-stem flowers in tinted glass vases.

Dessert and Coffee

Invite list: 4-5

Guest type: Book club members

Want to host a simple summer soiree? Head down the dessert and coffee route. Just pull up a coffee table to a comfy outdoor seating area and set up a spread of light desserts and set up the Keurig brewer. If you have a dual brewer (like the Keurig K-Duo Essentials Coffee Maker) you can brew a carafe of your favorite coffee and have K-Cup pods on hand for those who prefer hot cocoa or tea. This summer party idea is perfect for a book club or just having the neighbors over.

Watermelon Party

Invite list: 6-8

Guest type: Lovers of sweets

Keep this summer celebration sweet! Watermelon is quintessentially summer, and it's so versatile that it makes the perfect party theme. Embrace the versatility by featuring the fruit as the main food and even the decoration inspiration. Who said Christmas got dibs on red and green decor?

Backyard Buffet

Invite list: 10-12

Guest type: Friends and family

Elegant and easy, this berry-inspired bash is the perfect way to welcome summer. Start by sending watercolor invites and dyeing an old tablecloth in faint flowery hues. Peonies, candles, and baskets of berries decorate the table. A do-ahead menu featuring farm-fresh foods and sweets-along with a self-serve bar-leaves you free to nibble and mingle. Send guests off with Lemon-Thyme Shortbread Cookies tied in splatter-dyed muslin bags.

Luau Party

Invite list: 4-6

Guest type: Vacation buddies

Bring paradise to your own backyard! Fresh fruit, cool drinks, and maybe even a hula are the perfect way to enjoy a summer luau. Bright flowers set the tropical vibe and make the ultimate party centerpiece!

Pool Party

Invite list: 8-10

Guest type: Gal pals

Encourage your friends to channel their inner mermaid with a grown-up pool party. This casual and relaxed get-together is the perfect way to spend a hot summer day. Serve snacks that are easy to eat while you dip your toes in the water—fresh finger foods fill the bill perfectly.

Grilled Brunch Party

Invite list: 6-8

Guest type: Girlfriends from out of town

Nothing says summer quite like the smell of a grill. And a leisurely brunch truly is a part of those easy-breezy summertime vibes. Why not combine the two? Spend a weekend day at the grill with friends enjoying each other’s company. Plus, few things are better than a gooey, warm, grilled donut.

Tropical Getaway at Home

Invite list: 6-8

Guest type: Your best girlfriends

It's easier than you think to escape to a tropics-inspired party in the comfort of your own backyard. Set up a low table and seat guests on colorful floor cushions. Serve easy-prep appetizers, such as heirloom tomato salad, veggies with dip, and ice-cold drinks. Set a palm frond in a decorative vase to match the party theme, and light up the table with candles so the party continues long after the sun sets.

Grown-Up Ice Cream Social

Invite list: 10-12

Guest type: Your sweetest neighbors

Good news: Ice cream socials aren't just for kids! Put a grown-up spin on a summertime classic with a make-your-own pie a la mode bar, complete with piecrust cookies and homemade fruit sauces. Add a few cooling cocktails-maybe even a bottle of bubbly-and you have a casual summer gathering that will last well into the evening.

Trail Mix Bar Party

Invite list: 10-12

Guest type: Family friends

Yes, trail mix is deserving of its own party! Let all of your mix components serve a dual purpose as a decorative display as well. This is the time to use those coordinating bowls that are too cute for everyday use: what needs a bigger bowl-the healthy nuts or the chocolate chips?