With many having the day off, Labor Day is the perfect day to host a summer get-together in your outdoor space with your friends and family. Why settle for having a regular old barbecue when you can have an amazing party that will be remembered for Labor Days to come? We’ve compiled a list of five killer Labor Day party themes, so that you can send out the summer with a bang.

Last Chance to Wear White

Although the old adage of not wearing white after labor day is a little outdated, have fun with it! Set a “Last Chance to Wear White” theme for your outdoor summer party and encourage guests to come dressed in white! Utilize white decor and some larger, white outdoor furniture. White Adirondack chairs are a great addition to any outdoor space because of their neutral versatility, so it may be time to invest in a few or some other type of outdoor seating. Find cute outdoor decor, like plush white pillows, and other DIY white decorations, like a beautiful centerpiece utilizing white summer blooms.

The more you can sell your theme, the classier and more complete it will seem! And with a theme that focuses on just one color (and a common neutral color at that), it will be easy and fun finding unique pieces to tie your Last Chance to Wear White Labor Day party together.

Nautical Theme

Say “ahoy!” to the aesthetic of summer and adopt a nautical theme for your Labor Day party. For decor, look to boat and sea themed pieces. This doesn’t mean you have to pick up every anchor-shaped piece of decor you see. Branch out to more classical and unique aspects of the nautical theme, like compasses. Relying on navy blue can really help you here, as the hue is great at establishing the sea and boat idea without being too overboard and kitschy about the whole thing (navy blue stripes can be especially useful). A fun and affordable DIY option for a nautical themed Labor Day party involves learning a new skill: rope tying! Intricate (but not necessarily difficult) knots make great additions to nautical decor, either as banners, in centerpieces, or serving any other multipurpose function, like holding up a sign to show people where the bathroom is.

Seafood Bake

Focus your theme on the food! Serve up the surf with a seafood bake. (This theme would work perfectly with the Nautical theme. Two themes, one party!) Although traditional to New England, seafood bakes have evolved to fit any region. Look for local seafood options that are fresh in your area. And don’t think that just because it isn’t burgers this can’t be an outdoor affair. Grills like the Big Green Egg that offer smoking and baking adjustable options can cook almost anything in anyway. Look to multipurpose outdoor cooking solutions so that you can spend your time with your family and friends while you bake, and not indoors. There are plenty of tools and accessories for many of these style of grills, so see if there’s one that will make cooking your style of seafood a (sea) breeze.

Red, White, and Blue

Bring a little patriotism to your outdoor Labor Day party with a red, white, and blue theme! If you threw a 4th of July party, you can repurpose some of the decor pieces you picked up and incorporate them into your new theme. Don’t be afraid to invest in more long-lasting decor pieces, you know, the kinds not made from paper mache and plastic? If you celebrate several patriotic holidays a year with festivities and parties, these decor pieces can come out again and again, saving you money in the long run.

Make a red, white, and blue themed buffet as well. Incorporate food in those three hues to have a perfectly coordinated and tasty array of treats available to your guests. You can ask them to bring something red, white, and blue as well and make it a potluck! An easy and healthy addition to the table? Strawberry, blueberry, and banana fruit skewers!

Outdoor Movie Night

Another great and versatile outdoor party idea that you can focus your Labor Day party around is a movie night. With the increase of affordable projector options as of late (and the almost guarantee you have a spare sheet), setting up your own backyard movie theater is a snap. Collect a huge assortment of blankets, pillows, and other comfy materials for your seating. Add a group of outdoor and lawn seating in behind your pile of plush as a “backrow” for those who may not want to sit on the ground. Make sure to include a selection of outdoor lighting to keep your guests from being completely lost in the dark. LED or candle lanterns provide beautiful ambiance and a gentle glow, perfect for an evening get-together. Don’t forget the most important part of the outdoor movie night experience: Popcorn! To take it up a notch, play around and find recipes for different popcorn blends and flavors to give your guests a fun variety to their choices. You can even make an entire popcorn bar.

Hopefully these Labor Day party ideas can give you inspiration to help you establish the perfect summer party plans! When making your checklists, guest lists, and Pinterest boards, however, all you have to keep in mind is that Labor Day is a day to take off, relax, and spend time with your love ones, no matter what your theme ends up being!