Make It a Party: Summer Solstice - Above & BeyondAbove & Beyond
Longer days and a return to warm weather provide the perfect excuse to host an outdoor cocktail party. Why not take it a step further and celebrate the summer solstice with a fun nod to tradition?
A millennia-old, pagan-originated custom, “Midsommar Eve,” marks the start of summer and the longest day of the year — as well as one of the biggest holidays of the year in Scandinavia. The day is traditionally celebrated with copious amounts of herring, vodka, aquavit shots, raucous singing, and a dance around a maypole.
Channel your own inner Swede and host a gathering with our inspired, upscale take on the tradition:
A Warm Welcome
When — Host on a weekend evening as close to June 21 as possible. It’s a good idea to schedule a rain date or consider renting a tent in case of summer showers.
Guests — Invite friends to join you in their summer cocktail best to celebrate the start of the season. Just for fun, explain the significance of the holiday in your invitation.
Party Provisions
Set a Swank Summer Scene — Our favorite trick to create an upscale feel for your festivities? Bring the inside out! If at all possible, set up your dining room table and chairs outdoors under a canopy or tree lit with party lights. Alternatively, you can drape folding tables with long white tablecloths and rent pretty outdoor chairs. Bedeck tabletops with topiaries, greenery, and loose floral arrangements to celebrate nature. Don’t forget some candles to add a dramatic touch.
Create a focal point for the festivities by hanging canopies or sheer linen curtains from string that’s tied tree-to-tree surrounding your party area. Cluster tea lights and hurricanes on trays around the perimeter for a beautiful glow when the sun goes down. Be sure to check our Top 25 Tips to Take Summer Entertaining Up a Notch for more easy ideas to make your yard magical for summer festivities!
For the Feast — Based on your outdoor entertaining setup and the size of your guest list, host a glamorous sit-down dinner or keep it simple-yet-swank with a cocktail party buffet. Either way, it’s fun to seek menu inspiration from Scandinavian cuisine! Salmon is a natural. Pile a platter of gravlax with traditional toppings such as capers, cucumber, red onion, grainy mustard, crème fraiche, and rye toast. Or fire up the grill and try one of our three inspired grilled salmon recipes —they’re delicious hot or at room temperature. Pair with a potato salad or roasted baby potatoes, a large green salad, and crusty bread. If you’re doing a buffet, include additional seafood such as shrimp or crab cocktail —and don’t forget the Swedish meatballs! Set up a dramatic and unique crudité display of tall, clear, glass vases lined up and filled with veggies. New twists include lightly steamed asparagus spears, green beans, colorful baby peppers, or other fresh farmers market finds. Cheese trays are always a favorite. Lend a Swedish note to yours with a good Gouda and lingonberry jam.
Celebrate the Solstice
Cocktail Time — A vodka-based punch is a natural for this Swedish-inspired menu. Serve yours with summery fruit juice mixers in a gorgeous tabletop beverage dispenser. Be sure to have some Aquavit on ice handy if the inspiration strikes! Put out pitchers of water on tables so guests can serve themselves.
The Perfect Playlist — Go for an easy Pandora summer party mix piped outside to liven the mood — Abba is optional — but highly encouraged!
Toast to the Season — Bonfire revelry is traditional. If you have a fire pit, be sure to stock it or create a fire ring with bricks and gravel in a section of your yard. As the sun goes down, gather guests around to toast to the start of a long and luxurious summer season!
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