Summer Bucket List

It is the beginning of summer, and I am so excited to complete a major item on my own family's bucket list.  My kids wanted to visit all 50 states, and this summer, we are visiting Alaska - our last and final state of the 50 states!  I am so looking forward to our trip as well as the new adventures we will have as a family this summer.  With this bucket list item in mind, I decided summer bucket lists would be a fun theme for our monthly dinner.

Invite: Inspired by a bucket list image I found online, I modeled my invitation on some aspects of that image.  I went with bold and bright colors for this summer-inspired invitation. I designed the invitation on PhotoShop with summer fruits and a bucket.  I added two items to start their bucket list at the bottom just for fun.

Decorations: The decor throughout the party was various bucket list items.  They were incorporated into the centerpiece, the wine labels, the favor, the menu, and everything.

To find items for the centerpiece, I basically thought of items I already owned that I could incorporate.   I bought small buckets from the dollar store that I used on the table.  For this part of the centerpiece, I raided my game cabinet for a some games to go with a "Have a Game Night" bucket list item.

I love puzzles, and I love the challenge of completing a 1000 piece puzzle, so I used a puzzle box and pieces inside a bucket for this item.

We love going to the Drive-In, so that is an item on my summer bucket list.  I filled a bucket and a popcorn pail I already owned with popcorn and added a box of candy for this centerpiece item.

Getting a massage to relieve all the stress of teaching is definitely on my summer bucket list.  To add this idea to the decor, I just used a succulent to symbolize relaxation.

Visiting ballparks to see a major league or minor league baseball game is another fun activity.  I found a plastic Angels hat we already owned and a baseball sign to add to the centerpiece.

As a place card for each guest, I had an empty bucket list for guest's to fill out with ideas. Guest's names were at the top, and I included a pen.  It was fun to discuss fun activities as a group and add them to our lists throughout the evening.

To fit the theme into my napkin, I decided to use my Cricut machine to make a sand bucket.  I then folded the napkin to look like a beach towel and added the forks to look like sand toys.

When designing my wine labels, I went with summer bucket list activities that involve wine.  On the red wine, I found a painted image of a glass of wine being poured and added the words "Enjoy a Wine and Paint Night."  For the white wine, the bucket list item was to go wine tasting.

For my wine charms, I made small buckets and added a bucket list item to the front of each.  Some of the ones I included were Volunteer, Go Camping, Create a Signature Cocktail, and Declutter a Room.

Menu:  For each menu item, I tried to incorporate a summer bucket list item.  I also served them in buckets when possible.  "Grow a Vegetable Garden" was our appetizer which was veggies with dip that was served inside a bucket.  Simple and easy.

With the main meal, I served strawberries and blueberries inside a metal bucket to represent the bucket list item of "Go Berry Picking."  Side Note: berry picking is actually really fun.  We have done it a couple of times and really enjoyed it.

"BBQ with Friends" is always on our summer bucket list, so I decided to make Grilled Bacon Wrapped Chicken for the main course.  It was easy to make and delicious.  You only need 4 items to make it happen -- chicken tenderloins, BBQ seasoning, bacon, and BBQ sauce.

I made french fries in the oven.  Again, easy to make and the only ingredients are potatoes and seasonings.  I sometimes use an air fryer for fries, but with so many guests, I needed my double oven to cook all of them.

Since my family will be going to Alaska to visit the last of our 50 states this summer, I wanted to do something to celebrate that.  I decided to make a Baked Alaska for dessert.  I had never made one before, but it was pretty straight forward.  It was a big hit with the guests.

As an English teacher, something I hope is on EVERYONE'S summer bucket list is to read a book!  I love reading by the pool or at the beach.  It is so relaxing.  As a party favor, I decided to give a book to each guest.  I went to GoodWill to purchase from their shelves trying to pick good books that were in good shape.  I paid .99 cents for softcover books, and $1.99 for the hardbacks.  I tried to pick a variety of genres for guests to chose from.

I designed a summer reading book mark and placed one in each book.

This was a super easy dinner theme, and one I totally recommend.  It was great to kick off summer, but it would also be fun for a retirement party or for any decade birthday party (Bucket Lists to Complete in your 40's, etc.).

Thanks for checking out my blog.  I hope you cross some items off YOUR Bucket List this Summer!