We have weeks of summer left, yet Labor Day signals a return of sorts. Little ones get tucked into their fluffy beds a bit earlier. Colleagues come back from their last beach vacation and quicken the pace of work. Even sunlight itself, which seemed endless some days, is meeting the streetlights while we watch.
If summer is about ripening berries, September is about the few left to find, making Labor Day celebrations a time to savor what we cherish most about the season. As you entertain family and friends, or take a moment to relax, here are my tips on how to make the most of the holiday.
Serve and sip something delicious. If you’ve taken one of my classes, you already know that I love serving non-alcoholic options right beside cocktails. Try this pink pepper berry mocktail made with fresh strawberries and pink peppercorn syrup. If you’re firing up the grill, char some lemons for this rosemary jalapeño lemonade.
Create a farm-to-table feast.
From grilled pizzas with garden vegetables to cobblers and sorbets that make use of ripe fruit, let your party menu highlight the best local foods of the season. One of simplest ways to enjoy late summer nectarines is this simple sorbet. You don’t need any special equipment other than a blender to turn ripe nectarines into a luscious frozen dessert. Other dishes that highlight the season include this strawberry bruschetta.
All gingham everything. This simple checked pattern has been a favorite of mine since the days I was tucked into bed under a pink gingham quilt. Checks big and small speak to me of farm stands, picnics, fluffy quilts, and comfort. I especially love them on napkins and other table linens.
Play some BBQ tunes…whatever that phrase means to you. Music is highly personal and completely essential to a Labor Day celebration for a few or a crowd. Pop a few classic summer tunes on your playlist because everyone quiets down for a moment when they hear, “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy…”
Dress up your ice cubes. Summer may be waning, but the heat certainly is not. That means you’ll need to prep quite a few cubes if you’re hosting the party. Change things up by adding edible flowers. Fill ice cube trays partially with water, add flowers face down, and then pour a little more water as necessary to finish off each cube. Larger flowers can be separated into petals before adding to the tray.
Light up the night. As the the long days of summer wane, lingering until dark just got a bit earlier than expected. Make sure the area you set up for lounging and dining has just the right amount of lighting. String lights make a garden space just a little more magical in the evening.
Shop your own garden for centerpieces. 
If your basil or mint is growing faster than you can eat it, clip some stems and turn them into herbal centerpieces. With a few blooms from flowering plants, you can create a gorgeous mix from what’s right in your own garden. Make sure to rinse the herbs first, and then encourage guests to tear off leaves for their drinks.
Reflect on a summer well-lived. Whether you saw the ocean as much as you wanted or resolved to pursue a new path come fall, the season will soon pass. Congratulate yourself on minor triumphs, contemplate any misses, then be gentle on yourself as you climb into bed.
