While it might be the unofficial end to summer Labor Day also means a welcomed long weekend for many of us. (I played hooky today!) While many of us associate the weekend with our last bouts of summer partying perhaps a more common tradition is the end of summer barbeque. While I have A TON of great grill recipes VonaAnanas is more tailored towards decorating and thrifty ideas. So here are some of my recycled end of summer BBQ ideas that you can probably get away with reusing throughout September too.
- Decorations aren't really the purpose of a Labor Day BBQ. I know, I know, it hurts me too but it just means that you have to get creative when decorating. But at VonaAnanas we're all about you being you so if you want to decorate please go nuts and don't let me stop you.
- How to decorate when you aren't really decorating. Using plates, utensils, napkins and serving ware that all goes together makes just as much of a decorative impact as streamers and balloons, perhaps even more of a statement since they'll be understated decorations.
- It's not too late to start collecting things to use on Monday! Re-purpose the cans in the recycling bin by removing the labels and giving them a thorough washing. You can rock them in all their tinny glory or give them a quick coat of paint with spray paint or even permanent markers. Not a fan of the tin can look? Save those jars! Remove the labels and give them a good wash and they're good to go! Check out some of the fancier jar and can ideas on this posts Pinterest page. Maybe you've got little ones at home (or one nearby) keep the baby food jars and use them to hold condiments for your get together.
- It might be a bit late to send out old fashioned invites but so many websites have free e-cards that you can send out as soon as you're done reading this post! ;) While having a backyard get together is more informal giving friends and family concrete directions is always helpful. If you're planning on having your feast potluck style utilize cloud based software like GoogleDrive to let people know what they're bringing so you're not stuck with seven different pasta salads and a can of baked beans.
- USE PLASTIC WARE okay I fully admit that there are debates on which is more eco-friendly plastic or the water used to wash all the dinnerware. Putting that aside your life will be a billion times easier if everything can be pitched. Flings Bins is a genius company that makes fancy disposable pop-up trash bins for your get together. They come in a wide variety of colors and prints so they don't look like an eyesore and clearly tell your guests to throw their stuff away here in this adorable bin I've provided for you! They aren't sold directly on the website so check out your local Party City and/or Amazon.
- So I know I said no streamers or balloons were needed but since we're planning a fun, outdoor, possibly backyard fete I think we can both agree that lighting will have to be addressed. Since stores are already planning to start stocking shelves with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas a lot of their outdoor decorations will probably be on sale. So if you had your eyes on those adorable string lights all summer perhaps its the time to go back and see if they're on sale. On a budget and/or just lazy (we've all been there) pull out the Christmas lights a bit early and go to town. Drape them around banisters, trees, shrubs, etc. My dorm decorating post mentioned lighting ideas and hassle-free ways of hanging them.
I don't want to overwhelm you or make you feel like your backyard get together is a bigger deal than you originally thought! I just want to make sure that if you feel up to small things can be done in the next couple days to make it feel like more of a celebration. Enjoy the day off, have a beer or two and enjoy some much deserved time off with those you love because that's what your BBQ should really be about.
Got thoughts or ideas of your own? Post below and make sure to visit the Pinterest page for this post which holds a bunch of accompanying ideas!
Hope and Pineapples,
Jordan
- Decorations aren't really the purpose of a Labor Day BBQ. I know, I know, it hurts me too but it just means that you have to get creative when decorating. But at VonaAnanas we're all about you being you so if you want to decorate please go nuts and don't let me stop you.
- How to decorate when you aren't really decorating. Using plates, utensils, napkins and serving ware that all goes together makes just as much of a decorative impact as streamers and balloons, perhaps even more of a statement since they'll be understated decorations.
- It's not too late to start collecting things to use on Monday! Re-purpose the cans in the recycling bin by removing the labels and giving them a thorough washing. You can rock them in all their tinny glory or give them a quick coat of paint with spray paint or even permanent markers. Not a fan of the tin can look? Save those jars! Remove the labels and give them a good wash and they're good to go! Check out some of the fancier jar and can ideas on this posts Pinterest page. Maybe you've got little ones at home (or one nearby) keep the baby food jars and use them to hold condiments for your get together.
- It might be a bit late to send out old fashioned invites but so many websites have free e-cards that you can send out as soon as you're done reading this post! ;) While having a backyard get together is more informal giving friends and family concrete directions is always helpful. If you're planning on having your feast potluck style utilize cloud based software like GoogleDrive to let people know what they're bringing so you're not stuck with seven different pasta salads and a can of baked beans.
- USE PLASTIC WARE okay I fully admit that there are debates on which is more eco-friendly plastic or the water used to wash all the dinnerware. Putting that aside your life will be a billion times easier if everything can be pitched. Flings Bins is a genius company that makes fancy disposable pop-up trash bins for your get together. They come in a wide variety of colors and prints so they don't look like an eyesore and clearly tell your guests to throw their stuff away here in this adorable bin I've provided for you! They aren't sold directly on the website so check out your local Party City and/or Amazon.
- So I know I said no streamers or balloons were needed but since we're planning a fun, outdoor, possibly backyard fete I think we can both agree that lighting will have to be addressed. Since stores are already planning to start stocking shelves with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas a lot of their outdoor decorations will probably be on sale. So if you had your eyes on those adorable string lights all summer perhaps its the time to go back and see if they're on sale. On a budget and/or just lazy (we've all been there) pull out the Christmas lights a bit early and go to town. Drape them around banisters, trees, shrubs, etc. My dorm decorating post mentioned lighting ideas and hassle-free ways of hanging them.
I don't want to overwhelm you or make you feel like your backyard get together is a bigger deal than you originally thought! I just want to make sure that if you feel up to small things can be done in the next couple days to make it feel like more of a celebration. Enjoy the day off, have a beer or two and enjoy some much deserved time off with those you love because that's what your BBQ should really be about.
Got thoughts or ideas of your own? Post below and make sure to visit the Pinterest page for this post which holds a bunch of accompanying ideas!
Hope and Pineapples,
Jordan