Labor Day is always celebrated on the first Monday in September and commemorates the contributions of labor and workers in the U.S. The first Labor Day took place in 1882 in New York, and was later adopted by metropolitan areas across the country. In 1894, Congress made Labor Day a federal holiday. Some cities hold parades and civic celebrations on Labor Day, but many families opt to just stay home and enjoy a day off with family and friends.

Setting up for the party

If you have a backyard pool, center your party around it. Provide lots of towels and extra sunscreen for guests. Putting inexpensive flip-flops in a big beach bag lets adults kick off their shoes without having to go barefoot. Serve margaritas or other frozen drinks in plastic cups and place large bowls of fruit salad in larger bowls filled with crushed ice. Whenever you entertain poolside, be aware of safety issues, and always have at least one adult supervising kids at all times. Encourage some friendly rivalry by hosting swimming races. Even those who are not good swimmers can participate in “most-creative swim stroke” competitions or “loudest splash” jumping competitions.

Snack suggestions

Chill out using your grill. Cooking outside is less of a chore and more of a celebration, and open flames and sizzling steaks brings out the inner chef in the least kitchen-savvy guests. Keep kids out of harms way, but if you have a budding foodie let him mix up a pasta salad or coleslaw — along with supervision of course. Warm up the temperature of your outdoor party even when it is cool out with medium to hot chile sauces. Burgers and grilled foods benefit from drizzles of mild chile verde or a smidge of chipotle sauce. You can serve desserts after lunch or supper and throughout the rest of the party. Set out trays of small treats to keep kids entertained. Ice cream sundaes or healthy frozen yogurt sundaes served with poached peaches or berries celebrate the last fruits of the summer. Coolers full of cold beers for adults and sodas for the kids keep your party going after sundown.

Fun outdoor activities

Outdoor games for kids and adults, like casual softball games or soccer, work best at a local park, so consider a Labor Day picnic. Kids can run around in the backyard at home, and stringing up a net invites partygoers to play volleyball or badminton. Labor Day parties are all about leisure, so relax and sit back with a drink and talk. You can put up strings of outdoor lights to illuminate evening celebrations, and the next day you’ll head back to work with happy memories.