Summer Hosting Ideas for Homeowners: Celebrate Your Space in Style
There’s something truly special about your first summer in a new space - the fresh excitement, the empty walls waiting to be adorned, and of course, the perfect excuse to gather your favourite people together.
Whether your backyard is freshly landscaped or your living room still smells like new paint, this season is your opportunity to throw the kinds of gatherings that people will be talking about long after the summer sun has set.
Backyard Barbecue Bash: A Timeless Summer Classic
There is no better way to open your new backyard than by firing up the grill and bringing friends and family together for a laid-back barbecue.
What to do:
Set the vibe: Think string lights, checkered tablecloths, and cozy patio furniture. Add some outdoor-friendly music to liven up the atmosphere
Food to serve: Burgers, hot dogs, sausages, plant-based patties, grilled portobello mushrooms, grilled veggie skewers, or even corn on the cob. For a personal touch, add a signature homemade side like creamy potato salad, grilled sweet potatoes, or garlic toast
Condiment Station: Set up a toppings bar with ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, pickles, caramelized onions, jalapeños, lettuce, tomato, and various cheeses. A few unexpected extras like guacamole or chipotle mayo can wow guests
Drinks: Have refreshing drinks like lemonade or iced tea served in glass dispensers
You can create a “build-your-own” station - whether it’s burgers, tacos, or hot dogs.
Golden Hour Wine Tasting: Sip, Savor, and Celebrate the Sunset
Imagine this: golden light spilling across your patio, soft music floating through the air, glasses clinking in celebration, and laughter echoing as the sun sets over your new home. Wine tasting is the perfect way to bring elegance, relaxation, and connection into your hosting experience.
What to do:
Choose a Wine Theme
By Region:
“Tour of Italy” featuring Chianti, Pinot Grigio, and Lambrusco
“California Dreaming” with Napa Valley Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon
By Season:
Summer wines (think crisp whites and light rosés), or warming reds for cooler evenings
Select 4-6 wines to sample and prepare tasting cards for each.
Curate the Perfect Pairings that complement the wines
Cheese & Charcuterie Board Essentials:
Cheese variety: Aged cheddar, brie, goat cheese, manchego, and blue
Cured meats: Prosciutto, salami, soppressata
Crackers & breads: Baguette slices, artisan crackers, crostini
Fruits & nuts: Grapes, figs, dried apricots, strawberries, almonds, walnuts
Extras: Olives, honey, fig jam, roasted red peppers, and dark chocolate
Pairing Ideas:
Chardonnay → brie, roasted chicken bites, buttered popcorn
Cabernet Sauvignon → aged cheddar, grilled steak sliders, dark chocolate
Sauvignon Blanc → goat cheese, citrusy shrimp skewers
Pinot Noir → mushroom tartlets, gouda, herb-roasted nuts
Rosé → strawberries, feta, basil crostini
Set the scene: Dim lighting, candles, and soft jazz or acoustic music will add to the ambiance. Use your new island or bar area as the serving station
Invite guests to score the wines and vote on their favourite. The winning bottle could be the one you serve at your next gathering.
Outdoor Movie Night: Turn Your Backyard into a Cinema Under the Stars
There’s nothing quite like turning your backyard into a cozy open-air cinema. An outdoor movie night brings the nostalgia of drive-in theaters, the comfort of your home, and the charm of summer evenings together in one unique, unforgettable event.
What to do:
Screen Options: Use a portable projector screen, or DIY with a white sheet tightly stretched between poles, over a fence, or hung from a wall
Projector & Sound: A mini projector with HDMI input will work with most laptops, streaming sticks, or even phones. For sound, use Bluetooth speakers or a soundbar for clear audio
Create a Cozy Seating Arrangement:
Have picnic blankets or large outdoor rugs
Add bean bags, camping chairs, inflatable loungers, or even mattresses for a lounge-like feel
Scatter cushions and cozy blankets
Serve Delicious (and Easy) Snacks
Offer plain popcorn and allow guests to add toppings like melted butter, caramel drizzle, cheese powder, or chili-lime seasoning
Nachos and guac
Soft pretzels
Veggie sticks and hummus
Choose a family-friendly film for mixed-age groups or go for a themed movie night. Use string lights across your fence or between trees to create a glowing perimeter.
Garden Party Brunch: A Fresh and Elegant Way to Celebrate Your New Home
There is something irresistibly romantic about a garden party brunch. The sunlight dancing through trees, the soft clinking of glasses, the smell of fresh flowers and pastries - it’s the perfect way to bring together friends and family in a light, relaxed setting.
What to do:
Tablecloths or runners: Soft pastels or natural linen
Decoration: Fresh floral centerpieces using seasonal blooms - daisies, lavender, or wildflowers. Vintage teacups, fresh-cut flowers, and pastel napkins
String lights or lanterns for ambiance
Menu: Serve light dishes like quiche, fruit salad, croissants, yogurt parfaits, and mimosas. You can also offer a “make-your-own smoothie” station. Have baked goods like croissants, banana bread, Danish pastries, or muffin
Entertainment
Flower arranging station: Offer mason jars, snips, and flowers for guests to make their own mini bouquets
Incorporate herbs from your garden into your recipes or cocktails - rosemary in lemonade or mint in fruit salad feels personal and fresh. Invite guests to wear floral-inspired attire to complement the garden setting.
DIY Pizza Night
Whether you're gathering a few close friends or entertaining family, giving your guests the opportunity to build their own pizza fosters connection, customization, and some friendly culinary competition.
What to do:
The Pizza Dough: Store-Bought or Homemade
Pre-made dough balls from a bakery or grocery store
Pre-baked crusts (like naan, flatbread, or traditional pizza crust)
Homemade dough for a more personal touch - you can prep this earlier in the day
Offer both regular and gluten-free doughs to be inclusive of dietary needs.
Build the Topping Station
Base Sauces:
Classic tomato sauce
Pesto
Alfredo or garlic cream
Cheeses:
Mozzarella
Parmesan
Feta
Goat cheese
Vegan cheese options
Proteins:
Pepperoni
Cooked sausage or bacon
Grilled chicken
Prosciutto or salami
Tofu or plant-based sausage
Vegetables & Extras:
Mushrooms
Bell peppers
Red onions
Spinach, arugula, or kale
Cherry tomatoes
Black or green olives
Pineapple, jalapeños, roasted garlic, basil, sun-dried tomatoes
Finishing Touches:
Chili flakes
Balsamic glaze
Truffle oil
Fresh basil or oregano
Cooking the Pizza
Oven Method
Outdoor Pizza Oven
Grill Method: Keep the dough thin for best results
Pairings: Add a salad bar and mocktails
Polaroid Station: Snap photos of people with their finished pizzas - it’s a fun keepsake and makes for great social media.
Summer Potluck: Share a Meal, Make a Memory
There’s something timeless about a potluck - the sense of togetherness, the shared responsibility, and the joyful variety of dishes that represent everyone’s background and personality.
What to do:
Choose a Fun Theme:
Passport Potluck: Assign guests a country or let them choose a dish from their cultural background. Set up food stations by continent or cuisine: Mediterranean, Mexican, Korean, Italian, Indian, and more
Add small flags as table labels
A world map where guests can pin the origin of their dish
Mystery Ingredient Challenge: Like a potluck-meets-Chopped, assign each guest a fun ingredient they must incorporate - think basil, mango, feta, or even balsamic vinegar
Ingredient must be featured, not hidden
Guests reveal their ingredient during dinner, and others try to guess what it was
Memory Dish Potluck: Ask each guest to bring a dish that means something to them - maybe a childhood favorite, a holiday tradition, or a meal that reminds them of home
Have guests write a little card explaining their dish’s story
Set up a “memory table” with photo frames and the stories behind each dish
Coordinate dishes: Create a shared online sign-up list to avoid bringing same dishes and noting any dietary restrictions or allergies
As the host, consider handling the beverages by setting up a refreshing sangria station or a charming, iced tea and lemonade bar
Create categories like “Most Creative,” “Crowd Favorite,” and “Most Surprising” and let guests vote anonymously.
Opening Your Doors to a Summer of Togetherness
Your new home is more than just walls and windows - it’s a place where people come together, stories are shared, and memories are made. These summer hosting ideas don’t require perfection, just a bit of planning, personality, and hospitality. Whether you go big with a backyard barbecue or keep it intimate with wine and cheese, the most important thing is to enjoy your new space with the people you care about.
Here’s to a summer full of celebration, laughter, and warm evenings in your welcoming home. Happy hosting!
Ready to learn more?
Please feel welcome to email or call Bethany (Sales Manager, mistral Communities):