Labor Day is fast approaching and for many folks it marks the unofficial end of summer. I love each season, but I don’t want summer to slip away without a final celebration before the weather cools. Make at least one last summer splash inspired by these fun ideas…
Celebrate Summer
Watermelon is an iconic taste of summer and they’re abundant and delicious right now. I fell in love with these terrific carving ideas from the National Watermelon Promotion Board’s website at www.watermelon.org . Wouldn’t one these be fun on a picnic or buffet table? They’d certainly make a simple summer fruit memorable for family and friends! Full instructions for creating these and other sculptures are on the website under the Carvings tab.
Photo watermelon.org
Photo watermelon.org
Photo watermelon.org
Photo watermelon.org
Photo watermelon.org
Watermelons are such a great symbol of summer and after seeing the carvings I was inspired to create an entire entertaining experience around them. I already have watermelon placemats to help carry the theme to my table decor, but you could create yours easily from paper. You can also repeat the design in a much smaller size and use it as an invitation and an even smaller size for a placecard at each setting (just don’t cut the circle in half – fold it instead so it will stand).
Photo celebrations.com
Cut a large green circle from construction or scrapbooking paper (your dinner plate should fit on half of the circle), then cut a slightly smaller white circle to glue onto the green and, finally, cut an even smaller a red circle to glue on top of the white. Cut the circle in half and on the straight edge of each piece use a scallop punch to create the “bite.” Add seeds with a black marker or cut them from black paper and glue them in place.
Watermelon makes delicious alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Bobby Flay created a watermelon-tequila cocktail, shown directly below, and Better Homes and Garden offers a watermelon cooler punch that you could serve in a pitcher, as shown, or perhaps from the watermelon keg presented in the sculptures above.
Photo foodandwine.com
Photo bhg.com
Serve things up on cute watermelon plates. Below are three summery styles offered by Amazon. Click the ad at the bottom of the post and then search for watermelon plates to find them all.
Photo amazon.com
Photo amazon.com
Photo amazon.com
For dessert how about a slice of watermelon cake? Consider serving it with a scoop of watermelon sorbet for a fruity finale!
Photo womansday.com
Give your guests a little watermelon party favor to enjoy at home. These mini soaps from Sweetbody Soaps shop on Etsy come 15 to a set and include customer gift tags. A little slice of fun to remember you by.
Photo etsy.com
How Will You Say “So long” to Summer?
If you think I’ve gone a little fruity thinking about my last wing-ding of the season – you’re right! So what will you do for your last “hurrah” this summer? You’ve got to think of something more fun than storing the patio furniture! Share your idea by clicking the Comment link at the end of the post. I’d love to hear from you.
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This is definitely something I am going to try with the kids. Very original and imaginative. The shark one is my favourite though!
Some of the watermelon “creations” made me laugh so hard MY eyes WATERED!! So FUN! We’ve got all the “kiddos” and friends, neighbors, gathering on the new (FINISHED) sundeck of the boathouse. Surprise is this GIANT swan floatable that will greet them…I’m putting a bell on a ribbon around “her” neck…meet MaeBell! Partee! franki
I’m glad you enjoyed the watermelons – I thought they were fun too. Sounds like you’re going to have a great summer finale celebrating the completion of the sundeck on the boathouse. When your guests “flock” to your party I know they’ll get a kick out of MaeBell. Enjoy!