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How to Plan a Memorial Day Celebration

By Pillsbury Kitchens
Created May 4, 2021
Chicken Bacon Ranch Skillet Dip
Kick-off the summer season with an at-home Memorial Day celebration. Invite close friends and family to enjoy a day full of delicious food, belly laughs, and long-lasting memories. In need of things to do for Memorial Day? We've got all the inspiration you need.

Start to Set Up

Your first Memorial Day activity? Set up your family celebration. Consider where your guests will spend their time and use that as a blueprint for preparing your space. If you'll be making memories on a deck or in the yard, you'll want to make sure you have plenty of seating, in addition to space for food. You'll also want to put finishing touches on your setup, like string lights, tiki torches, freshly planted flowers, and American flags. Give yourself ample time to plan so you can enjoy your family and friends during the celebration.

Make Your Menu

Next, brainstorm your favorite Memorial Day foods and create a menu. Reinvent family favorites like Skillet Brisket and Biscuit Pot Pie or these kid-friendly Crescent Dogs you can cook on the grill. Chicken Bacon Ranch Skillet Dip and Egg Salad Crisps make for delicious, shareable bites you can serve as an appetizer. Don't forget your Memorial Day desserts. These refreshing Strawberry Crescent Snacks are easy to eat or bake these light and easy Strawberry Rhubarb Mini Pies for a crowd-pleasing treat. As you think of dishes to serve, be sure to include a variety of flavors so there's something for everyone. There's plenty of Memorial Day recipes to choose from!

Entertain Your Guests

You can't have a Memorial Day party without entertainment. First and foremost, create a fun playlist so that you can play music throughout the entire gathering without having to be attentive to your device. You'll also want to give thought to lawn activities and board games your guests might enjoy. Cornhole and bocce ball are great for an adult crowd, and games like capture the flag, tag, or hide and seek will entertain the kids for hours. You could also inspire some old-fashioned mingling by leaving conversation cards at the table.

There are so many ways to plan a memorable Memorial Day gathering, so don't get too hung up on the details. Prepare ahead of time, have a backup plan, and most of all, enjoy the time with your family and friends.