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"   Prepare for the Party  1. Make a list of the people you want to invite, choose a date, and send out invites. 2. Decide early on what ambience you want to create, and have your decorations, music, and invitations center around the theme. 3. Prepare your dishes ahead of time. Another thing I like to do is make sure all my ingredients are washed, cut, prepared, and ready to go, so you can finish off a dish easily.  What to Serve  4. Have drinks and hors d&amp;#039;oeuvres ready for your guests when they arrive. Try a cheese plate or crudit\u00E9s platter with a tasty dip. 5. Grilling doesn&amp;#039;t mean you have to go heavy. While steaks and burgers are great, try fresh fish for a lighter option. 6. Serve a yummy dessert, like a strawberry shortcake. This delicious sweet treat is sure to be a crowd pleaser, especially if you serve it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.  Keep your Guests in Mind  7. Involve your guests! Ask them to bring something to the party or let them help when you&amp;#039;re setting up. 8. Set up a bar area where your guests can make their own drinks. Complete it with glasses, stirrers, and cocktail napkins. Keep a non-alcoholic drink as an option as well. For summer, iced sweet tea is perfectly refreshing. 9. Have some pre-planned yard games like badminton and bocce ball, or start a campfire so guests can roast marshmallows. And remember\u2026 10. Enjoy! A happy, stress-free host means a fun time for your guests, and successful party. NEXT: 11 Summer Party Punches     "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/a5532/katie-lee-summer-party-tips-and-recipes/>