Make this Labor Day celebration special with these awesome party food recipes, party decor ideas, and cocktail recipes to send off summer in style. I may have mentioned to you all a time or two how much I love to plan for parties, and Labor Day is no different. Getting friends and family together for celebrations and holidays is one of my favorite things to do.

That’s why I decided to compile my favorite summer cocktails, patriotic decor, and party ideas suitable for Labor Day in this post.

Quick & Easy DIY Ideas to Make Your Labor Day Celebration Special

I know kids are happy to entertain themselves most of the time, but sometimes they can use a little guidance to stay entertained and out of trouble so I included a couple of kids crafts on here as well. If you want some other ideas for keeping kids amused, check out our 23 Outdoor Activities for Kids post for additional activities.

DIY Labor Day Recipes and Decor Ideas

1. Frozen Water Balloons to Keep Drinks Cool and Colorful

via DIY Joy

Keep your drinks cold during your Labor Day celebration in colorful style with these frozen water balloons! These will keep your drinks ice cold for hours without all the mess of ice cubes being strewn around the bottles and cans you have. Match the colors of your balloons to your party decor or mix it up with a rainbow of colors.

2.  Mason Jar Fairy Lights

via DIY Joy

Make these mason jar lights in a glow in the dark color arrangement that coordinates with your other party decor so you can keep the party going late into the evening! You can also hand over mason jars and glow in the dark paint to the kids to make this fun and easy craft idea that will keep them entertained for hours.

3. Crock Pot Jalapeno Popper Dip

via Everyday Reading

This easy crock pot recipe makes a cheesy, slightly spicy addition to any party food spread. I personally prefer my jalepeno popper dip with a bag of Frito’s to go along with it. The bowl is always completely scraped every time I cook this dip making it the best easy slow cooker recipe for a crowd.

4. 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

via Tablespoon

5. Retro Labor Day Free Printables for Party Decor

via Catch My Party

I love a good throwback to anything vintage, so these free printables with retro flair are right up my alley. Not to mention, they’re adorable and make the perfect little additions to your Labor Day party decor.

6. Gummy Candy Skewers

via HWTM

This is a great edible craft for kids to make that requires very little prep and few supplies. Just grab a couple of wooden skewers and an assortment of gummy candies so they can make their own candy kebabs! I personally prefer the gummies that are dusted with sugar or sour sugar on the outside so that the candies don’t stick together as easily.

7. Lemonade and Watermelon Themed Tablescape

via Sweet as Candy

Decorating for Labor Day may seem a little tricky, but this mismatched summer party decor is the perfect hot weather fair well. Use yellow and white striped placemats or tablerunners topped with a variety of blue and yellow plates and add a watermelon cut out to the straws inside your mason jar glasses to give a rustic, summery look to your party decor!

8. Easy Patriotic Party Decor on a Budget

via Hometalk

If you want to celebrate Labor Day with patriotic decor that doesn’t scream 4th of July too much, use red, white, and blue streamers and a couple of strands of string lights to create a beautiful and festive DIY lighting piece. We just used leftover streamers from our 4th of July celebration and some outdoor string lights we had laying around so there was no additional cost for this decor, which I love!

9. Easy Mason Jar and Berry Branch Centerpieces

via Creature Comforts

This is party decor at it’s laziest and best, folks! Snap a couple of branches with brightly colored berries on them from your yard, or go grab some from your local flower or grocery store to add to blue tinted mason jars for a DIY centerpiece. If berries aren’t in season in your neck of the woods, most craft stores offer fake versions of these berries that look real, so you can just substitute those!

10. Patriotic Drink Station

via Jenny Cookes

I love this idea for keeping drink stations organized. Use a drink cart or just a small shelf if you don’t have a cart that can hold your beverages and all the additions you want to add to your punches or cocktail mixes. Make punches or large batches of cocktails in a red, white, and blue assortment (or if you’re not going the patriotic route, make drinks in colors that fit your theme) to match your decor.

11. Bandana Napkin Rolls

via Two Shades of Pink

Bandanas are only about a dollar a piece at most dollar stores and you can get them in a rainbow of colors. Wrap these bandanas around individual sets of silverware and use them as cloth napkins that match the rest of your Labor Day party decor perfectly.

12. Make Ahead Summertime Sun Tea

via Thirsty for Tea

One of the things I love most about summertime is an excuse to drink gallons of sweet tea. There are a multitude of recipes on this site that you can make ahead of time for your Labor Day party.

13. Mac and Cheese Muffins

via Raining Hot Coupons

This is not your typical mac and cheese recipe! I love making these mac and cheese cups for a crowd because they’re already portioned out into perfect serving sizes. This is a favorite among kids and adults as well.

14. Grilled Potato Wedges

via Skinny Taste

Now, I love a good bowl of potato chips just as much as anyone else, but these grilled potatoes are delicious and a healthier option that chips. This healthy recipe is a great alternative to heavy side dishes or processed junk foods often served as party sides. Serve with a generous side of ketchup for the best results.

15. Low Country Summertime Boil

via Best American Food

This is one of the best and easiest big batch recipes out there. Having lived in the South for most of my life myself,  the spices and communal feel of this meal speaks to my upbringing. When it’s not crawfish season, you can always substitute shrimp and the generous portions of sausage are perfect for the seafood squeamish. Spread newspaper on your tables and let the guests dig in country style for your Labor Day celebration.

16. Grilled Kielbasa Pineapple Bites

via Real Housemoms

This easy grilling idea is one of the best appetizer recipes for a crowd that I’ve ever made. Everyone loves the salty and sweet combination of the grilled pineapple and kielbasa bites. Pair with a toothpick for the best serving method that makes easy post Labor Day party cleanup.;

17. S’mores Dip Recipe

via Five Heart Home

There aren’t many incredibly rich foods that I’m gaga over, but I am hopeless in the midst of this s’mores dip. Get all the flavors of fire pit s’mores without all the hassle (or burn possibilities). This easy dessert recipe is a staple for picnics and parties as it is loved by people of all ages!

18. Watermelon Feta Salad

via Garnish with Lemon

I love something fresh and light to go along with any meal. This healthy salad recipe is a perfect addition to any party food spread. This may also be the last time you can find great watermelon this season, so this refreshing salad is an awesome Labor Day party food side dish.

20. Blueberry Cabernet Cheesecake Poptails

via Endless Simmer

If you really want to bring the cool factor to your Labor Day celebration, these alcoholic popsicles (otherwise know as poptails) are a delicious way to ward off the heat during your party. Make a big batch of these to enjoy as a sweet nightcap or to eat to keep cool throughout the celebration.

21. Patriotic Pomegranate, Pear & Blueberry Poptails

via Endless Simmer

These poptails are subtly red, white, and blue but the flavors are bold and fruity! Make these with the booze for adults to enjoy or without it so all your party guests who don’t or can’t enjoy alcohol can slurp on these as well.

If you liked this post, check out some of our other best recipes post you can make for a party!

50 Best Grilling Recipes

Best DIY Party Food Ideas

Best 4th of July Recipe Ever