July 1, 2019

Celebrating the Fourth of July in Style

July 1, 2019

Celebrating the Fourth of July in Style

In between work, school, and everything else you have going on, it can be difficult to find a chance to gather together everyone you care about. But the holidays offer an opportunity to slow things down and spend time with family and friends.

In a few days is the Fourth of July, where we celebrate our country’s independence. The Fourth of July is always a joyous affair, with many hosts going the extra mile by serving food that relates to the theme. You’ll often see a menu dominated in red, white or blue, as well as dishes served with little flags or cut into stars.

Because the holiday falls right in the middle of summer, many opt to spend the day at the beach, while others prefer the excuse to host an outdoor barbeque.

Whichever way you decide to spend it, hosting a celebration means putting time into preparations. Here are some ways to set up your Fourth of July celebration for success:

How to Prepare for Your Fourth of July Party

Aside from the company, another essential ingredient for a great party is the food.

However, before deciding on the food, you have to decide whether you’re hosting an afternoon party or a dinner party. Another consideration to make is the type of menu. Typically, Fourth of July parties serve barbeque or All-American dishes, but you can certainly opt to deviate from the norm.

Lastly, decide whether you want to prepare the food yourself or have someone else take care of it. Between planning a menu, preparing food, and entertaining guests — the holiday won’t feel like a break if you have to do all the work.

So consider outsourcing the hard work. Catering by Michaels has over 30 years of experience under its belt to ensure that you have everything you need to make your Fourth of July party go off without a hitch!

Perfect Fourth of July Picks from Our Seasonal Menu

For a Fourth of July party, menus are typically made up of picnic fare — think grilled meats, salads, desserts, and fruits. Catering by Michaels offers both delivery and full service menu options. With full setup, you can customize our standard offerings and we’ll take care of all the little details — yes, even cute Fourth of July flags! All you have to do invite your guests, and we’ll take care of the rest (including cleanup).

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June 28, 2017

Your Guide to Summer Outdoor Entertaining

June 28, 2017

Your Guide to Summer Outdoor Entertaining

Summer in Chicago is truly a sight to be seen. It’s the only full 2 months of nice weather we get each year, so we all try our best to make the most of it. In an effort to enjoy the outdoors while the sun is hot enough to allow for cute maxi dresses, shorts, and tank tops, we’ve put together a quick guide to summer outdoor entertaining.

Pick an Occasion

Summertime provides the perfect backdrop for so many different occasions, including:

  • Graduation parties
  • Picnics
  • 4th of July
  • BBQs
  • Weddings

So whether it’s an official gathering (think wedding or graduation) or just an excuse to bring your favorite people together for a fun time, make an occasion out of it! Pick your theme and hit up the local party store to collect themed plates, utensils, centerpieces, and other fun party pieces. And since it’s summer, we recommend infusing bright, vibrant pops of color if you can make it work with your theme. A little effort goes a long way — and makes for great Instagram photos!

Pick a Location

It might be safe to assume that your summer party will most likely take place at your house, but just remember that you’ll have to plan accordingly if you want to host guests outdoors. Besides needing the obvious chairs and tables, you might also want to consider a tent if the weather is looking iffy. Don’t forget tons of ice to keep drinks cool (most people underestimate this need), and citronella candles/bug spray so guests can fend off any unwelcome additions to the party. And always good to keep sunscreen and water closeby so nobody leaves the party feeling dehydrated or sunburned!

If you’re planning to host a large-scale event, you may want to consider a bigger venue than your own backyard. Take a few moments to browse through our venue partners for some ideas (there are so many amazing options!), and feel free to reach out regarding those that pique your interest! 

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