Lifestyle

6 Party Hacks That Will Make Your Canada Day Bash Epic

iStock

Planning a party can be overwhelming. But when you're feeling down and out, you need to keep your eyes on the prize: You have a workday holiday of sanctioned day drinking with your crew to look forward to.

And to make this Canada Day the most memorable one ever, you need to follow a few simple tricks. The first and most important, of course, is to not skimp on the rum: I'm talking about rum punch, mojitos, pina coladas and daiquiris. What else do you need to know? Here are some handy party hacks to keep the conversation — and the fun — flowing from noon through to the fireworks.

1. Set the theme and commit hard.

Beyond the obvious — celebrating the birthday of our great country — you need to give your guests a reason to get involved. Think about the best theme parties you've attended. What did they all have in common?

Your party's theme could be as simple as doing an all-star Canuck playlist. Or you could have everyone dress up like everyone's favorite first couple. The options are endless.

2. Make amazing drinks.

Nothing brings people together like a delicious theme drink. What's a better conversation starter than the cocktail in your hand?

Classic cocktails are enjoying a big revival moment and for Canada Day, the perfect social lubricant is a big bowl of red rum punch. It's tasty AF, and when you serve it in a paper cup, you're basically drinking our flag. That's what you call a patriotic win-win.

Don't skimp elsewhere, though. Make sure you have plenty of non-alcoholic bevvies on hand to keep everyone happy. And don't forget water, as the heat makes drinking in the sun doubly dehydrating.

Last tip: To keep your punch from getting warm and watery, you can pop colorful frozen water balloons into the bowl, or freeze a large block in your biggest Tupperware container.

3. Develop a bug strategy.

NOTHING can more quickly spoil a fun party than an influx of buzzing and crawling critters. But you can fight against these annoying creatures if you take the right precautions.

Start by eliminating any standing water. Secondly, plug in some portable fans: Moving air keeps mosquitos at bay. But just in case, buy those cute mesh food “tents” at the dollar store to keep food covered.

And if you think bug spray is a buzz kill, there's a natural way to battle bugs: Fill a spray bottle with equal parts white table vinegar and water. Spray down surfaces ahead of the party and halfway through.

4. Get the light right, day and night.

In the day, enough shade is critical. If your venue doesn't boast places to stay cool (or dry, if things turn drippy), then make sure to rent some large umbrellas, or repurpose golf umbrellas for adequate shade. Once the sun disappears over the horizon, make sure the mood lighting changes with it.

Thankfully, outdoors in the summertime means you have plenty of options for creating a cheap and cheerful lighting scheme. From lining the walkway with tea lights set in sand inside Mason jars, to hanging multiple strands of tiki lights or fairy lights, you can easily make a backdrop that will be perfect for any picture you upload to social media (no filter required).

5. It's not a party without your jams.

Music makes or breaks any party. But unless you're throwing this bash to show off your turntable skills, you will want to take a more hands-off approach. And when doing that, keep this fact in mind: Playlists are the miracle of modern life.

To set the mood right from the start, keep to classics for the core of the party and switch over to danceable stuff when the crowd looks ready. You can also use music to signal to your guest that it's time to wind things down by switching back to something that's more mellow. Also keep in mind that multiple wireless speakers played at just the right volume level are preferable to one big speaker that blows out the eardrums of those standing nearby.

6. Make sure you get home safely.

Summer is a pleasant time to take transit, but hey, what else are ride-sharing services for?

And the best hack of all for those of us who long to be the hosts with the most? Reward all designated drivers with a showy gift, say, the table centerpieces or even a “take-home-for-another-day” bottle of your pre-mixed rum punch.

It's the perfect way to reward the responsible people who are getting your crew home safely.

Nothing gets your Canada Day bash started off on the right foot like a delicious cocktail. This year, have BACARDÍ Red Rum Punch waiting for your guests when they arrive.

RED RUM PUNCH 3⁄4 part BACARDÍ Limón 3⁄4 part BACARDÍ Raspberry 3⁄4 part BACARDÍ Superior 1⁄2 part grenadine 2 parts sweet & sour mix 1 part cranberry juice

Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass and fill with ice. Cap with a tin, shake and strain into a serving glass filled with ice. Garnish with a mint sprig and lemon wedge. Enjoy.