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Celebrate the Last of Summer with a Summerween Party

26 Aug 2024 By: Diane Gottsman

Summerween Party Tips from Etiquette Expert Diane Gottsman | Diane Gottsman and Shelly Miles on the set of San Antonio Living posing behind a table of Summerween party essentials in bright orange and fall colors

Are you ready for fall but in the middle of a hot and steamy summer? Whether you were first in line for a pumpkin spice latte last week, or you hold off on decorating for fall until closer to Halloween, a Summerween celebration may suit you! The name, Summerween, came from a Disney Show called Gravity Falls, which is streaming on Disney Plus right now. Let’s make the most of what is left of summer with a little taste and anticipation of what’s to come. A themed party is also a good way to give the kids something to look forward to or get girlfriends together after the kids are back at school. Below are a few tips for hosting a Summerween party.

Celebrate the Last of Summer with a Summerween Party

Fun and Simple Decorations

Summerween Pumpkins and Flowers outsideRetailers are in full swing, and if you don’t buy it soon, decorations may be gone so look in your closet, pull open your drawers, and see what you have, and what you need for your Summerween party. You may have most of the decorations covered but may want to replace a few worn items or replenish your stash of decorative plates and napkins.

A Kids Weenie Roast

Fire up the grill and cook some hot dogs to celebrate Summerween. Add some fall-oriented foods that you can easily find in the grocery aisle to set the fall tone. Buy some mini watermelons and have your kids decorate them like jack-o-lanterns. Serve fresh fruit, popcorn, Halloween cookies, and plenty of water. Keep in mind, that it’s still a scorcher outside and unless you are sitting by a pool, or have plenty of shade, it may be too hot to eat, or enjoy creating a Jack-o-melon masterpiece outdoors. Put out some inflatable pools and let the kids splash away.

A Mom’s Back-to-School Tea

Fall tea scene with pumpkins and blue and white teacups
Start by setting a Summerween table. Unpack your candlesticks, left over from last year’s Halloween napkins, and use either paper or porcelain plates. It really doesn’t matter as long as everyone is having fun. Make a few tea sandwiches, serve some scones, and a few sweet treats. Potions and brews can include iced tea, sparkling water, hot tea, and/or cocktails. I have a pumpkin chai I’m excited to try. Make a Summerween playlist and enjoy your tea.

 

Homemade Pumpkin Tartlets

Here is my favorite 100-calorie Pumpkin Tartlet Recipe – this is not my original recipe. It must be either from Libby or Nestle but it’s delish:

Ingredients

  • 16 (2 1/2-inch) foil baking cups
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 1 can (15 oz.) LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
  • 1 can (12 fl. oz.) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Fat-Free Milk
  • 1 cup fat-free whipped topping
  • 12 small gingersnap cookies, broken into 1/4-inch pieces

Directions
PREHEAT oven to 350º F. Place baking cups on baking sheet with sides. Spray each cup with cooking spray.

COMBINE sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger, and salt in a small bowl. Beat egg whites in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Spoon 1/4 to 1/3 cup of mixture into each prepared cup.

BAKE for 25 to 28 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on baking sheet for 20 minutes. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Top each with whipped topping and gingersnap crumbs.

Pumpkin PJ’s and Cocktails for Adults

Pumpkin Spice Bread

Find a babysitter and host a Summerween sleepover. Set the mood by having everyone show up in their favorite seasonal pj’s and slippers. Serve a light dinner and yummy dessert. Settle in to watch a movie, give yourself a home facial, sip on some lavender tea, and prepare to hang out like you did with your girlfriends in high school. Or, better still, do this in the afternoon before the kids get home from school. Everyone needs a playdate, including mom. Watch Hocus Pocus or It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. Talk about your best memories.

I would love to hear about your party’s success! Be sure to tag me in your photos @dianegottsman on Instagram or find my PSOTX page on Facebook. Let’s count down the days until fall and find new ways to have fun in the meantime!

For more information about working with Diane, America’s “Go to” social and professional (manners) skills authority, please visit The Protocol School of Texas. 

You may also like My Fall Kitchen Is the Heart of My Home. See what Diane is up to by following her on Instagram and Facebook. Find etiquette inspiration on her Pinterest account and keep up with her latest tweets. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, refer to her posts on Inc. and HuffPost. 

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Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.