- We host friends under the pine trees at our A-frame cabin in the Sierras and I and always pull out our most vibrant linens to match the end-of-summer saturated colors of the sky and flowers —my favorite is to use our napkins in picnic floral with their wildflowers from the American west. If you follow the “wear white only from Memorial Day to Labor Day rule,” these bright cheerful napkins perfectly offset crisp white linens.
- We do an official toast to the summer that’s just passed and everyone shares their highlight. It’s a great way to reflect and feel gratitude.
- Savoring this last taste of summer also means serving in-season foods, like corn, peaches and my chef husband’s famous prosciutto and melon dish.
- We spend countless hours in our hammock before we have to store it for the season. We check stargazing schedules so we can align any astronomical events with cozy evenings cuddled in the double hammock and often sneak out after the kids are in bed. When the bittersweet time comes to roll up the hammock, we carefully clean it of any debris so it’s ready for another summer.
- We spend as much time as possible outside—hiking, canoeing, and—our favorite—an annual outdoor movie. We choose a kid-friendly favorite and everyone wears their pajamas and brings their favorite blanket (mine is the Astrid Cotton Gauze Throw Blanket).
Summer's Sendoff: Tips for celebrating Labor Day
I’m one who clings to the last drops of summer before fully throwing myself into fall. My kids are always eager to put up Halloween decorations after school starts but I insist on an official send-off to summer during Labor Day weekend. It feels extra sweet to partake of these activities one last time knowing the memories will have to sustain us until the next summer. Here are a few ways we celebrate the end of summer.