By Kristen Summers, celebrateeverydaywithme.com

Kristen is a former Wedding and Event Planner, blogging about fun ways to celebrate each and every day and the special occasions of life. She provides ideas for party planning, children’s activities, and creating memorable moments.

Summer is coming to a close. School is about to begin. But for your nieces and nephews, this is another excuse to throw a party.

Auntie, you can make your nieces and nephews feel special by hosting an End-of-the-Summer party in their honor. They can be the only guests or let them invite a friend. Celebrate the fun they had this summer, re-live the memories, and decorate with summer themes.

First, decide what kind of party you would like to have. Is it just lunch or dinner, or will you take advantage of the summer schedule and host a sleepover? This may be their last chance to stay up late for a while.

Decorate. Think summer. Stop at the craft store, and pick up some 12” by 12” squares of scrapbook paper to use as your placemats. You may be able to find some great summer images on sale. Serve your food on Frisbees. Hang beach balls above your table with fishing line. Drink out of your colorful summer plastic cups.

Plan fun activities. Create a “Wall of Summer Memories.” Let your nieces and nephews write their favorite summer memories or what they love about summer on Post It notes, and stick them to a wall. How many can they come up with? Be sure to add in your own memories too. Talk about the fun and value of looking back and remembering. Auntie, you are teaching them gratitude. Take a photo of them next to the wall.

Stay up late, and have a game night. Your nieces and nephews will love spending the time competing with you in their favorite games. Add prizes by stopping at the dollar store beforehand.

Pick up sidewalk chalk, and have a drawing competition outside. Play Hangman or Tic-tac-toe. Lie on the ground, trace each other, and then draw faces and clothes. Your nieces and nephews will thrive on your full attention and interaction.

Serve summertime favorite foods. Grill hot dogs and hamburgers. Offer watermelon, and serve a bag of chips out of a sand pail. Try making Popsicles together. S’mores would make the perfect dessert for your summer party. If you don’t have a campfire available, roast your marshmallows over the stove burner, or pick up Sterno (“canned heat” used for catering) at the grocery store. Use discernment depending on the age of your nieces and nephews. Lemonade is a great summer favorite to accompany your meal. If you have any fun ice cube trays, add some shapes to their drinks.

While the end of summer could be a sad time with the return to school, you are helping your nieces and nephews celebrate all the fun they had during the summer and making them feel special by throwing a party just for them.

Photo: photostock
Published: August 27, 2012