6 Steps to a Chic Nautical Labor Day Party

Gold Anchor Decoration

Ahoy Mateys! Labor Day means a few things: Kids go back to school; a paid vacation day (thank goodness it’s on a Monday!); time to reflect on how darn hard you’ve worked all year thus far (by not working); and sadly Summer is over. Done. Finished. Adios. Sayonara! If you haven’t taken that tropical vacay with your besties you probably won’t till next year. Sorry to say. BUT the universe has given you one more chance to be a star. To impress your friends. To be the neighborhood party-planning hero. To party like a Captain. Party like you are the Captain of a boat. Party like seersucker makes up your entire wardrobe; and Sperry’s are the only shoes that you will let touch your feet. Gather your crew from all corners of the city and sail off into the sunset with hopes of champagne wishes and caviar dreams. Here’s how.

Step 1 – Accessorize the Main Deck

Deck out your place with wooden Captain’s wheels, star fish, ship rope, sea shells, sand, anchors, etc. Here are some great ideas:

Captain’s Wheel Decor

Step 2 – Lay Out Your Linens

Use light, fresh colors to cover your tables. Also Martha Stewart suggests to use seersucker linens as napkins for easy clean up.

Table Linens and Decorations

Seersucker Napkins

Step 3 – Mix Up Your Cocktails

Create champagne cocktails to make your guests feel like billionaires on your yacht (or backyard). Here’s a great list of 18 different champagne cocktails to serve up for your crew.

Champagne Cocktail

Step 4 – Catch Your Feast

The catch of the day. The only meal fit to be served at your Nautical Labor Day Party. Endless amounts of fresh, glorious seafood.

Seafood Feast

Step 5 – Light It Up

If you are on a beach or near the water – perfect. If not, the backyard bonfire pit will do just fine. Light up a huge bonfire and just relax with all of your buds. Sing Kumbaya. Soak in the memories. Reminisce about the Summer. Enjoy this evening. Savor this night.

Sunset Bonfire

Step 6 – Time to Say Bon Voyage

Send everyone off with a little memento. Here is a great Nautical themed linen bag. Fill it with things like salt water taffy, life savers, and other fun sea inspired gifts.

Nautical Swag Bag

As you dry your tears – mourning the loss of Summer – just remember that it will be back. Here in the Midwest it will be a long, harsh wait. But that’s what makes our Summers so great. They may short lived – but we sure do appreciate and take advantage of those beautiful, breath-taking Summer sunsets.

Stay Inspired!