If you’re looking to celebrate the last days of summer in style, what better way to do so than by hosting a Labor Day party? Labor Day is held on the first Monday of September, which is Monday the 4th of September in 2023. While we officially use the event to commemorate the American labor movement and their contributions, the long weekend is unofficially recognized as the end of summer. For this reason, many of us use the federal holiday as an opportunity to have one last summer celebration.
In this guide, we’ll help you make the most of the weekend and savor the summer by sharing our Labor Day party ideas to help you host a patriotic celebration. We’ll cover all the essential party inspiration, including:
Decoration ideas | Food ideas | Drink ideas | Labor Day party themes
Decoration ideas
The first step to preparing for any party is getting your décor in order, and fortunately there are plenty of ways you can get your home or backyard ready for the event. From summer-inspired décor to splashes of red, white, and blue, here are some Labor Day decoration ideas to help you savor the summer in style.
Table set up
Tasty party food is essential for any Labor Day celebration, so make sure to perfect your table set up to make your spread even more appealing. Just like for any other patriotic party, incorporating red, white, and blue is a fantastic way to decorate for Labor Day. One way to do this is through your tableware. Choosing a red tablecloth and serving your dishes on white and blue ceramics is a simple yet effective way to incorporate the colors of the flag into your patriotic table spread. If you want a cohesive look, you could try color-coding your spread by serving food on white plates, platters, and bowls, and serving your beverages in blue jugs and blue-tinted glasses, or vice versa.
Here at Denby, we have a fantastic selection of colored tableware for you to browse, including a wide variety of blue ceramics. This includes our popular Blue Haze range which combines blue and white shades, as well as our Imperial Blue, Studio Blue, and Impression Blue. We also have a stunning Porcelain Stars collection, perfect for incorporating even more of the flag into your table décor.
Floral arrangements
One of the best things about summer is the abundance of beautiful seasonal flowers. As Labor Day weekend is the last major holiday of the summer, use this as an opportunity to make the most of the season’s natural beauty and create a vibrant floral arrangement of your favorite flowers of the season. There is an abundance to choose from, so try taking inspiration from the theme of your party. For example, a nautical theme will be served well by blue flowers, like blue hydrangeas or cornflowers, while a wild campout theme may be perfectly suited to a beautiful wildflower arrangement,
You could also try creating a bouquet based on the official flower of your state. From the Tennessee purple coneflower to the classic Kansas sunflower, each state has a beautiful floral symbol. And to make the arrangement even more patriotic, make sure to include the official US floral emblem, the rose.
Display your stunning summer bouquet in a stylish ceramic vase to elevate your tablescape even further.
Labor Day crafts
If you want to get creative, or if you have little ones and you want to help them get more involved in the lead up to the holiday, you could try out some Labor Day crafts and create your own decorations for the event. There are plenty of different crafting ideas to try out for varying ages and skill levels. See for yourself and give one of the following a go:
- Patriotic bunting: With just some string, glue, and colored paper you can easily make red, white, and blue patriotic bunting.
- Star garland: Perfect for complementing your red, white, and blue bunting, draw and cut out star shapes and stick them to string to create a star garland. If you have the space, aim for 50 to make it just like the flag!
- Worker bunting: This holiday is all about celebrating the American labor force, and what better way to do that than create bunting inspired by the workforce? You can draw tools used in professions across the country, from hammers for construction workers to stethoscopes for nurses and doctors, then cut them out and stick them to your string.
- Paper flags: You can draw your own American flags on paper and stick them to popsicle sticks for people to hold, or simply to decorate with.
- Red, white, and blue wreath: Use red, white, and blue flowers to create a wreath to adorn your door with to get your arriving guests in the mood for a patriotic Labor Day party.
Food ideas
No major holiday party is complete without a generous food offering. And with it being the last federal holiday before fall, this is the perfect opportunity to go all out and savor the tastes of summer. If you’re looking for some inspiration for your party menu, use the Labor Day food ideas below to perfect your spread.
Labor Day BBQ
A Labor Day BBQ is a classic way to celebrate this holiday. It’s easy to see why, as there’s no better send off for summer than a good old-fashioned cookout. This is a great option for a casual party, as all you have to do is grill your meat or veggie alternatives and then allow your guests to help themselves to various toppings and sides, which you can serve in one of our serving sets. Summer BBQ classics like creamy potato salad and corn on the cob are an absolute must.
As well as being a summer send-off, this is also the perfect opportunity to welcome the tastes of fall. Why not put a few twists on some summer BBQ essentials to get in the mood for the upcoming season? Something as simple as adding pumpkin to your salad dish can help you both savor the tastes of summer while looking forward to the rest of the year.
If this is how you choose to celebrate the day, make sure to read our guide to hosting the perfect summer barbecue for handy tips and inspiration. We have a great selection of recipes perfect for barbecues to try out as well, such as our blackberry chicken salad.
Labor Day picnic
Another popular way to celebrate the holiday is with a Labor Day picnic. This is perfect for both making the most of the summer weather and al fresco dining before temperatures start to cool, as well as enjoying picnic classics you likely won’t be having in the upcoming fall and winter months. You can take some inspiration from our picnic ideas guide for setting it up and whipping up classic picnic staples.
Summer farewells and fall introductions
You can use the Labor Day menu at your party as an opportunity to both give summer the send off it deserves and welcome fall with open arms. There are so many delicious flavors to savor from both seasons, and many complement each other perfectly, making this a fantastic Labor Day food theme. Below are a few classic summer and fall combinations you can try out for the event:
- Ice cream: If you want to try making your own ice cream for the end of summer celebration, experiment with fall flavors, like toffee apple, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon.
- Coleslaw: Give this summer classic a fall twist by adding apples and pecans to the recipe.
- Fruit salad: A simple way to add a taste of fall to your celebration is to create a fruit salad comprising of summer and fall fruits and toss them in a mixture of cinnamon and maple syrup.
- Tropical pumpkin pie: If you’re looking for a delicious and filling dessert with a twist, take the fall classic pumpkin pie and make it more summery by using coconut milk in your recipe and topping it with pineapple.
- Fall inspired burger and hot dog toppings: Apple chutney, caramelized onions, and maple bacon are fall flavors that are sure to be a welcome addition at your end of summer barbecue. You could also offer up tasty sweet potato and pumpkin burgers as a fall inspired meat-free alternative.
Sweet patriotic dishes
A party food table isn’t complete without a dessert section, and the good news is there are plenty of patriotic sweet dishes perfect for sharing for your Labor Day celebration. Here are a few tasty dessert staples to add to your party table for the last federal holiday of the season.
S’mores
A staple of summer and great for enjoying around the campfire, s’mores are the perfect summer send off. You can have all the essential ingredients for this classic American sweet treat on hand, or if you’re looking to put a twist on a classic, create a s’mores charcuterie platter. On this platter you can add the essential chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers, as well as a variety of other ingredients to complement them, like peanut butter, M&Ms, nuts, berries, and whatever else takes your fancy.
Cookie platter
Perfect for a party sharing platter and a classic American sweet treat, a cookie selection is sure to go down well at your Labor Day party. With this dessert not only can you serve classic flavors like chocolate chip and peanut butter, but you can experiment with other summer ingredients, like strawberries, pineapple, or lemon.
Fruit kabobs
A fantastic healthy addition to the table, fruit kabobs aren’t just tasty treats but you can use them to add red, white, and blue to your dessert section. Blueberries make the perfect blue addition, and you can use raspberries, strawberries, or red grapes for the red stripes, and banana or honeydew melon for the white. Alternatively, if you’re looking to add a wider variety of colors, you can make rainbow skewers instead with orange segments, yellow pineapple, green kiwi, and purple grapes.
Drink ideas
You’ll also need a selection of refreshing, tasty Labor Day drinks to complement your wide range of dishes. Here are some classic American beverages you can serve at your end of summer celebration.
Lemonade
Whether it’s store bought or you plan on whipping up your own, lemonade is a refreshing summertime staple and is sure to go down well at your Labor Day party. Classic lemonade will work perfectly alongside any type of food, whether you’re having a Labor Day BBQ or picnic. And if you’re looking to add a little more variety for your guests, you can get creative and serve up some alternative summery flavors too, such as coconut, raspberry, or even an alcoholic variety. Of course, if you’re looking to make your spread even more patriotic, serving blue lemonade alongside strawberry or raspberry lemonade is a great idea too.
Milkshakes
Milkshakes are another American classic and the perfect sweet treat for enjoying after your Labor Day food. To make the event extra special for your guests, why not take their milkshake order a day or two before the event? This will allow your guests to relax and enjoy the party, and having orders in advance will make it much easier for you to plan ahead.
Alternatively, create a milkshake station in your kitchen. You can serve all your add-ins and toppings in small bowls and jugs, and have a selection of mix-ins. These flavorings could include:
- Chocolate sauce (dark, milk, and white)
- Caramel sauce
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Peanut butter
- Vanilla extract
- Pumpkin spice
For your topping selection, you can stock ingredients such as:
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate chips
- Nuts
- Grated chocolate
- Cookie pieces
- Brownie bites
- Pretzels
- Candy
Root beer floats
There’s no better way to add a patriotic touch to your Labor Day party than with a root beer float. The root beer float is a US creation and is the perfect mix of sweet and refreshing, so your guests are sure to love this addition to your spread. The root beer float is a classic, but if you want a little more variation, you can use other carbonated drinks to make a float with as well, like a cola float, a cream soda float, or a Boston cooler, which is made using ginger ale and vanilla ice cream.
Colorful cocktails
If you’re planning on offering up a selection of alcoholic drinks to the adults at your party, why not have a couple of cocktails on your Labor Day menu? Colorful, summery cocktails are a great way to make the most of the final days of the season, and you can even make them patriotic by using American-made ingredients, such as bourbon. If you’re looking for some inspiration, below are a few classic American cocktails you can enjoy throughout your Labor Day celebrations:
- Mint julep: A Southern classic and a staple of the Kentucky Derby, this sweet and minty bourbon cocktail is sure to be a hit at your Labor Day party.
- Old fashioned: Another classic bourbon cocktail, this drink comprises of bitters, bourbon, sugar, a splash of soda water, and is garnished with an orange slice and maraschino cherry.
- Long Island iced tea: A boozy cocktail popular across the world, this drink consists of vodka, tequila, light rum, triple sec, and gin, as well as lemon juice, cola, and a dash of simple syrup.
- The aviation: This vibrant purple cocktail is perfect for adding a pop of color to your drink offerings. A gin-based cocktail, this drink also consists of maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, and crème de violette, which is what gives the drink its staple purple hue.
Labor Day party themes
A Labor Day celebration will likely be your last major event of the summer, so you’ll no doubt be putting your all into making this party special. If you’re looking for a way to make this event stand out from the rest, making the party themed is a great way to do so. Take some inspiration for the celebration and check out some of our favorite Labor Day party themes.
Nautical
Nothing says summer more than a day by the beach, so an ocean inspired theme is the perfect way to round off the season. There are so many ways to incorporate this theme into your set up, from décor to your dishes. Plenty of blue is a must with this theme, so find ways to include it wherever you can. You can also decorate using classic nautical symbols, such as by creating anchor bunting or even baking cookies in the shape of ships. And if you want guests to get even more involved in the action, ask them to come in their best nautical themed clothing.
Costume party
Labor Day is all about celebrating the American Labor force, so why not incorporate this into your theme and turn your celebration into a costume party? You could ask guests to come in costumes reflecting their current careers, or maybe the jobs they dreamed of having as children. You can even incorporate these careers into your food and drinks as well, by asking guests to bring a dish or drink inspired by their jobs or dream jobs.
Campout
Whether you love it or hate it, camping is a classic summer activity. So, use your Labor Day celebration as an opportunity to take all the best parts of campouts to enjoy at your party. There is plenty of delicious campout food to choose from, including sweet treats like s’mores and savory dishes like campfire chili. You can also set up a campfire to keep you warm if your party goes on into the night to make it feel like a true camping experience.
However you choose to spend the last holiday of summer, these Labor Day food, decoration, and party ideas should give you some inspiration for your celebration. With some planning and preparation, you can make the most of the three-day weekend and savor the last days of summer before fall comes around.
Make sure you have all the tableware you need for your party by browsing Denby’s collection today. All of our handmade stoneware is expertly crafted in England using the highest quality Derbyshire clay. We have a beautiful and versatile range of plates, bowls, serveware, and glassware, perfect for both special occasions and everyday use. Explore the full collection now.