• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
southern discourse
  • Home
  • Recipe Box
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Bread
    • Brunch/Breakfast
    • Casseroles
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Hospitality
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Everyday
  • My South
    • Events
    • Monday Coffee Break
  • About
    • Meet Stacey
    • Privacy Disclosure
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Box
  • My South
  • Hospitality
  • About
  • Meet Stacey
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    A Pool Party for Summer’s Last Big Bash

     


    Labor Day weekend is right around the corner, and that means we’ve got one more chance to do it up right summer style!  It’s time to start thinking get-together, hanging out with family and friends, and enjoying all those summer activities that we enjoy the most! And one of the best ways to celebrate summer’s last big weekend is with a pool party!

    For this Labor Day’s big bash, I’ve got 5 tips for hosting a great pool party, plus a fun little pool party table for us to ogle and discuss.  So let’s get started!

    Have Plenty of Extras

    Pool party etiquette requires that one bring their own towel, sunscreen, water wings, etc.  But not everyone will remember.  So as a gracious hostess, it’s a good idea to have a few extra of the basics on hand.  Set out a few extra fluffy towels, a couple of bottles of sunscreen, floaties, and maybe a ball or two for that impromptu game of volleyball that is bound to happen.  It’s also not a bad idea to have a couple lawn games ready for those who might spend more time out of the pool than in.  Lawn darts, corn hole, or horseshoes are always a good bet.

    Shade and Hydration are a Must

    While a pool party is all about fun in the sun, it is important to have some shade and plenty of drinking water, fruit waters, or lemonades available for your guests. Open up a few patio umbrellas and put together an easily accessible drink station.  This also means that you will need to make restroom facilities available.  Make sure that you have planned ahead of time to make that restroom swim guest friendly.

    Good Food Goes Without Saying

    Party and food go hand in hand!  Decide beforehand what you will serve and let your guests know.  Will you have finger foods, chips, and other little nibbles?  Are you thinking of firing up the grill for burgers and dogs?  Maybe you’ll do both!  Don’t count out the joys of potluck either.  If you are inviting close friends and family, it’s ok to ask them to bring that pasta salad or special dessert that everyone loves.

    Your Pool Party Table

    Whether you are planning on serving buffet style or sitting down together to eat, if you’re going to have food you have to have a table!  And this a great opportunity with just a few pool-themed decorations to make your guests feel extra special.  My pool themed table is set up for a sit down meal, but the same elements could be used for any type of food service.  Don’t worry about buying special decorations.  Just use what you have!  I have 3 beach towels rolled up in a metal bucket with some mini beach balls for my centerpiece.  Gumballs are a colorful and fun way to capitalize on that beach ball theme.  Not to mention that both the beach balls and gumballs make great party favors to send home with my younger guests!  Blue and white nautical stripes in the table runner and towels and tons of fun color with the napkins are the rule of the day!

    Pool Safety

    It’s ok to have boundaries and rules at your party.  As a matter of fact, with a pool party they are especially necessary for everyone’s safety and fun!  Make sure your rules are clear from the get-go.  Every host and hostess has different rules and boundaries, and thoughtful guests should respect all of them.  It’s also a good idea to ask another adult or two to help you keep an eye on your swimmers throughout your party, especially your young or less experienced ones.  You might even want to provide a splash pool for babies and toddlers.

    As always, hosting a get-together doesn’t have to be stressful.  Some thoughtful planning and communication on the front end can go a long way!  Decorations should be easy, making creative use of what you have on hand.  Because after all, the main reason you are getting together is because you enjoy one another’s company, and no matter the occasion, that’s what it’s really all about!

    ***

    5 tips for hosting a summer pool party, plus a pool-themed table to set the tone!

    For more great hosting how-to’s, try these ASD favorites!

    Summer Nights: 10 Tips for Outdoor Entertaining

    5 (ahem… 6!) Secrets to Hosting a Fabulous Dinner Party


    This post contains affiliate links.  I earn a teeny commission if any purchases from Amazon are made when you click through these links at absolutely no cost to you!  That teeny commission is an important part of what keeps A Southern Discourse up and running.  Thank you so much for clicking and being a part of ASD!

    A Southern Discourse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

    Save

    Save

    Save

    Save

    Save

    Save

    Join The Discourse Now!

    Join The Discourse Now!

    Subscribe to receive the latest recipes, entertaining ideas, weekly menus & encouragement! 

    You have Successfully Subscribed!

    Share this!

    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Email

    You Might Also Like...

    • Navy and natural place setting with pumpkins

      Thanksgiving Table Setting with Navy & Pumpkins

    • title collage of family and friends summer kickoff party ideas

      7 Ways to Kickoff Your Summer

    • How to Host Your Own Derby Party

    « Easy Lemon Centerpiece in 5 Simple Steps
    Classic Summer Sandwich Recipes »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julia (Julia's Simply Southern)

      August 26, 2017 at 5:30 pm

      Thank you for sharing these tips. Love you tablescape! So beautiful!!

      Reply
      • stacey

        August 28, 2017 at 10:15 am

        Thanks, Julia! I hope you have a wonderful Labor Day weekend planned with friends and family!

        Reply
    2. Piper

      August 24, 2021 at 11:26 am

      Hello there. Thanks for the helpful tips. Where did you get the yellow pail?

      Reply
      • stacey

        September 03, 2021 at 12:28 pm

        Hi, Piper! Unfortunately, the yellow tub is sold out. But here are 2 alternatives that I recommend! Creativeware Yellow Party Tub and Galvanized Metal Drink Tub

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes and table settings.  We’re bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith and grace from which true hospitality springs!

    Read More →

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    Southern discourse cookbook

    Get your FREE Southern Discourse Mini Soup Cookbook!

    Get all of the latest from Southern Discourse & this mini cookbook when you SUBSCRIBE!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    JOIN SOUTHERN DISCOURSE

    With so many choices in the blog world, my hope is that at Southern Discourse you will find a place where you feel at home, where the conversations are honest and relatable, a place where you are encouraged and know you belong.  A place that makes a real difference in your day-to-day and walk with Christ.  By using the subscribe button, you become an important part of SD and are sure to never miss a post or contest!  I look forward to our conversations- the kind that could only happen on a porch, in a swing, between great friends.

    PRIVACY/COOKIE DISCLOSURE . ABOUT . CONTACT

    Copyright © 2021 Southern Discourse