There's no better way to spend Labor Day weekend than kicking back with friends, grilling out and soaking up the sunshine of those last lazy days of summer.



If you're planning to throw a backyard bash to send summer out with a bang, it's time to start preparing. From the food to the decorations, here are some tips and ideas for your end-of-summer shindig:

1. Throw a theme party.
This is a great way to add a fun twist to your outdoor bash. Patriotic is always a great theme for Labor Day. Order a life-sized Statue of Liberty cardboard cut out to greet your friends, put up your American flag and whip up this Red, White, and Blue Strawberry Shortcake.

Or throw a football party at your house to kick off the season. String up some football lights and serve up standard stadium fare like corn dogs and nachos. And no football party is complete without the beer.

Wish you were spending Labor Day at the beach? Why not bring that tropical vibe to your own backyard with a beach blanket bingo theme party? Tell your guests to put on their best beach attire and get ready for some fun. Decorate your yard with inflatable palm trees, put kiddie pools out for the little ones and use baskets full of novelty sunglasses as table centerpieces. Colorful balloons are an easy decoration and add a nice touch. And don't forget the beach balls!

2. Plan your menu and make a grocery list.
There's nothing worse than running out of something when you've got a backyard full of people. Costco is a great place to stock up on plenty of water, sodas and other beverages. If you don't have a big cooler, it may be a good idea to pick one up. It's a great way to keep the drinks cold and guests can serve themselves.

If you have time, visit a local farmer's market to pick up fresh ingredients for your recipes such as corn, tomatoes, fresh fruits and herbs. Hot dogs, hamburgers, buffalo wings and ribs are also popular Labor Day favorites. For something healthy and refreshing, slice up a beautiful watermelon fruit bowl.

To help save time, try to prepare some food items in advance and freeze or refrigerate until party time. Check out these mouthwatering make-ahead Labor Day recipes.

3. Get your grill on.
Labor Day is the second biggest barbecue day of the year, next to the Fourth of July. Make sure your cookout sizzles by equipping yourself with the proper gear. Check out this checklist of essential grilling tools.

Next it's time to learn how to grill like a pro. From the lowdown on choosing a charcoal to insider tips for juicy burgers, here are 12 grilling tips and techniques that'll have you cooking up perfection.

You've got the tools. You've got the techniques. Now it's time to take a bite out of these lip smacking grilling recipes straight from the experts.

More Labor Day Planning Tips
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- Common Grilling Disasters Avoided
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