Preparing For Memorial Day Weekend and The Start of Summer With Party Expert Meredith Staggers
With Memorial Day approaching, it’s finally time to celebrate the unofficial start to summer. From family gatherings and entertaining friends, how are you going to prepare for the long weekend?
Meredith Staggers, founder & owner of Cake & Confetti, shares how she is preparing for MDW get-togethers, along with her affordable home décor picks and best practices on partying inside and outside the home, which includes notable DIY projects and entertaining ideas, to kick off BBQ season in style.
With Memorial Day this weekend, Meredith Staggers has provided some tips below, to create fun and unique looks to spruce up any party.
On Décor
- Let’s start with an affordable home décor pick, like an easy tablespace idea. You may be tempted to decorate with traditional flag decor, but I challenge you to think outside the box a little bit! Pattern mixing adds interest to the table and definitely doesn’t have to be complicated.
- Stick to a color scheme. I love choosing two or three colors and mixing patterns within those colors. For holidays like Memorial Day and July 4th, use red, white and blue but instead of flags or stripes, I suggest adding some gingham and other fun patterns!
- Add in layers. I love the texture the jute placemat adds here and instead of putting the blue plates directly on the placemat, I added a slightly larger white plate between the two. It helps make the patterned plate stand out!
- Buy disposable utensils, napkins and inexpensive pieces from places like Home Goods or Tuesday Morning. For summer hosting I like to stick to things I can throw away for easy clean up. I picked up these gingham napkins and gold plastic utensils for a few dollars. Inexpensive items like this allow you to mix and match patterns without committing too much!
- For sustainability purposes, I always have reusable cotton napkins and find that cleaning them with Arm & Hammer Odor Blasters after each party gets the job done and leaves them feeling like new!
On Food
- You cannot throw a good party without creative food ideas for you guests. Since I have a lot on my plate (literally), I like to simply dress up store-bought sugar cookies, and cupcakes with fruit and sprinkles! This takes the time out of cooking your own baked goods. However, it adds a little something extra than just using the basic store bought ones. By adding fruit and sprinkles to my deserts it gives it more of a personal touch.
- Next up is my personal favorite The Dash Popcorn Maker. I suggest making DIY popcorn cones with patriotic paper. It is so fun and easy, and the kids absolutely love it!
- Finally, I like to put out personal snack boards. I fill them with sweet and savory snacks that kids and adults go crazy for and it changes up from the normal cheese board.
- We’re doing our best to use this time at home to create new traditions- and by celebrating with family and having your kids cook or set up with you is something that helps my family create these precious moments! My daughter Piper loves to help me in the kitchen, so whenever I let her lend a hand she is always thrilled!
About Meredith Staggers
Blogger, photo stylist, and founder of Cake & Confetti.
After working in the marketing and event planning industry for three years, Meredith decided to launch Cake & Confetti (named after two of her party must-haves) with the support of her amazing second-half, Trent. Since 2013, the business has evolved from party planning to a multi-faceted styling boutique and blog.
