The 'Martha Girl Summer' Guide to Entertaining—How to Host the Season's Best Gatherings Summer gatherings the Martha way, complete with linen and lavender lemonade. Tomato Girl Summer gave us sun-soaked skin, breezy sundresses, and Aperol in every glass; Brat Summer rolled in with thrifted slip dresses and gloriously unapologetic irreverence. This year, the pendulum swings towards luxuriously classic and homemade-but-stunning. Think homegrown edible flowers, linen napkins, vintage platters, and impeccable summer comestibles—made even lovelier when filtered through dappled light and scented by a purple wash of lavender growing nearby in the cutting garden. Welcome to Martha Girl Summer. We're seeing it everywhere—influencers showing off their stacks of vintage decorvow Living magazines and throwing Martha-level dinner parties with sublimely set tables and handmade everything. The joy of hosting is having a moment—a moment that started with Martha decades ago. To get in the mood for a season of elevated entertaining, we tapped creators across social media for their modern-day takes on hosting. And naturally, we turned to the original icon herself for timeless tips and inspiration. Consider this guide your blueprint to the perfect summer soirée. From dreamy garden tablescapes to delicious menus, we’re serving up everything you need to curate a summer season that’s elegant and intentional. Break out the linen tablecloths and flower-infused cocktails, and don't be surprised if you feel like you just stepped out of a gauzy '90s editorial spread. Martha's Tips for a Summer Party Credit: Hugh Stewart From wintry wonderland festivities to verdant springtime brunches, there isn't a season that Martha doesn't celebrate. And when the weather turns warm, she channels her hosting expertise into elegant backyard dinners at her Bedford residence and casual family pool parties at her Skylands estate in Maine, to name just a few ways she lights up the season. decorvow My favorite way to celebrate the start of summer is with cool drinks, delicious snacks, and good friends—preferably poolside. — decorvow Take a page from Martha’s most iconic summer moments—sure to turn your next gathering into a seasonal sensation. How to Set an Outdoor Table to Make Dining Al Fresco Even More Enjoyable Credit: Getty There are plenty of practicalities to consider when setting an outdoor table, from sun and insects to a summer shower—but we can never forget the importance of a beautiful summer tablescape. Savannah K Barry, a digital creator specializing in hosting on Instagram and TikTok, recommends finding inspiration from what you love. "I usually find my themes through the seasons, favorite movies (like Practical Magic), or even a favorite food," says Barry. "And I love creating a Summer Solstice tablescape each year as the season shifts." A Summer Solstice Tablescape: Barry adorns the setting with twinkle lights and fresh fruits lining the table runner, woven between thrifted vases filled with flowers and greenery from her yard. "I’ll tie dried lavender with ribbon around block-printed napkins, mix and match antique china and linens, light colorful taper candles, and serve a spread of seasonal dishes." Barry says to start small and resist getting overwhelmed. "Creating a whimsical tablescape can be just for you and two or three close friends. This is a good first step if you’re looking to romanticize the small moments in life," she says. 9 Summer Menus to Inspire Your Next Dinner Party—and Wow Your Guests Credit: Linda Pugliese You've got the date and invitations sent, now you just need to figure out what to serve. Fear not, we've got you covered! decorvow I adore summer entertaining. For a dinner party at the farm, I might prepare homemade fettuccine with porcini mushrooms, soft-shell crabs, spinach from the garden, and lemon tarts with fraises des bois for dessert. — decorvow From a fried chicken feast (complete with deviled eggs to start) and a classic New England summertime dinner to a crave-worthy Fourth of July spread, our curated menus include appetizers, main courses, side dishes, and desserts you can serve indoors or out. 16 Party-Perfect Drinks That Look as Good as They Taste Credit: Lennert Weibull Whether cocktail or mocktail, the drinks you serve at a summer gathering are the perfect vehicle to celebrate the season fully. They are refreshing, beautiful, and can showcase all the bounty that summer has to offer. Eden Westbrook, chef and founder of Sweet Tea + Thyme, loves using simple syrup or homemade liqueurs infused with summer produce and herbs. "I love ripe peaches and rosemary, or blackberry and lemon verbena," she says. "I also love (safely!) foraging my favorite local flowers: sweet bay magnolias and Japanese honeysuckle as well. They can take any drink from basic to beautiful!" Fruit and Florals: "I always use seasonal fruit and fresh floral elements for color," says Westbrook. "Freeze edible flowers or berries in your ice cubes, garnish with smoking woody herbs, or add a careful pour of hibiscus tea as a float for drama and flavor." Westbrook reminds us that little things take entertaining over the top. "Whether it’s a coupe glass for a mocktail or a sugared rim on a spritz, small touches go a long way," she says. "I love using vintage glassware, dried citrus slices, and handwritten drink tags around stems to make my guests feel like every detail was made just for them." How to Create a Summer Charcuterie Board That Will Make Everyone Happy Credit: Justin Walker It's a simple fact: Everyone loves a charcuterie board. Perfect for hosts and guests alike, it's a great way to offer variety for a starter or even a laid-back grazing meal. To do it right for summer, see our seasonal touches that lend a breezy feel to a board; think light and fresh with an emphasis on the flavors we crave in hot weather. These ideas stand up to the heat and lean heavy on summer fruits and vegetables, playing up the best cheese and charcuterie selections for right now. 11 Edible Flowers That Are the Secret Ingredient Your Garden Needs Credit: Getty Images Colorful flowers are a wonder in the garden, and perhaps even more so on the plate. Their texture, hues, and flavor bring an elegant whimsy to everything from salads and pastas to cocktails. Jenny Osipova, a food content creator who uses edible flowers to great effect, recommends using complementary colors as a way to draw interest. Color Theory: Osipova's use of complementary colors guarantees the flowers will pop on the plate. "Try mango hues with blue borage flowers and herbal green tones with lavender or lilac-colored chive blossoms," she says. See some of our favorite flowers to grow for culinary use. And if you don't have the time to grow your own, there's always plan B, says Osipova: "Source your edible flowers from a local florist! Ask the florist to surprise you with a seasonal selection of blooms." How to Keep Guests Cool at a Summer Party Credit: Getty Images Hosting a summer party is all fun and games ... until the thermometer spikes and nobody wants to get out of the pool. But no need to panic; there are plenty of ways to keep everyone cool should your gathering and a heat wave coincide. To keep you and your guests comfortable and ensure you don't overheat, we asked experts to share the best ways to stay cool during an outdoor party. 22 Easy Summer Recipes That Can Feed a Crowd Credit: Ren Fuller There's a time and place for intricate spreads that require a lot of detailed attention, but for a summer gathering, we love recipes that can be sized up easily so you can focus on the fun of hosting. To make it even easier, have a big batch of something ready from the start. For Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack, author of Muy Bueno: Fiestas, that means guacamole and salsa. "The moment guests arrive, I always have chunky guacamole and homemade salsa ready. It gives everyone something to snack on while I finish up in the kitchen and sets the tone for a casual and delicious gathering," she says. A Theme for a Crowd: Marquez-Sharpnack loves a street food menu for a large gathering. "Think of all the vibrant flavors you’d find from a food cart in Mexico," she says. "I love setting up a taco bar with warm tortillas, grilled meats like carne asada or chicken tinga, fresh salsas, and toppings. Add elote and fruit cups sprinkled with Tajín, and you’ve got a colorful, crave-worthy spread everyone will rave about." Marquez-Sharpnack is also a fan of spike-it-yourself drinks; "I love offering aguas frescas with tequila or mezcal on the side so guests can create their own cocktails. It keeps things light, refreshing, and fun," she says. 22 Genius Desserts You Can Make with Store-Bought Ice Cream Credit: Mike Krautter Few things are as joyous as ice cream on a summer day. And while a few scoops from a carton is always glorious, we love to take ice cream to the next level by making milkshakes, sundaes, ice cream sandwiches, layer cakes, or a celebration bombe. Thanks to store-bought ice cream, they're easy to make and entirely impressive. How to Host a Flower Arranging Party, According to Pro Planners and Florists Credit: Getty Images A successful summer gathering needs little more than friends and something to eat and drink. But if you want to take it to the next level or host something special for a celebrant, a flower arranging theme delivers all the floral feels. "Set the table up with cute scissors and a few different colored or patterned ribbons to mix and match," says Rosalyn Phipps, founder and lead designer for Root + Petal. "Displaying the flowers like a farmers market stand and using different buckets placed in baskets or wooden crates can also make for great photo backgrounds." Flowers To Go: Phipps recommends sticking to a minimal color palette to make it easy for guests to curate an aesthetically stunning arrangement. As a finishing touch, provide brown kraft paper and twine so guests can wrap their bouquets to go. While the flower bar will be the party's centerpiece, there are plenty of other details you can include that pay homage to all things floral—don't forget the flower-infused cocktails and food, floral crafts, and even a master class. 33 Seashell Crafts That Evoke the Beauty of Summer People have been using seashells for decorative purposes ever since humans have been decorating, which makes sense, given the exquisite and intrinsic beauty of these marine wonders. That said, seashell art has become more popular than ever, both for the joy of crafting and the décor it creates. Ashley Poskin, a thrifting expert and DIY creator, employs shells in some of her projects and says you can enjoy the craft without having to beachcomb. She also recommends giving them a good soak in a tub to rinse away any sand or dirt, then laying them out to dry completely before crafting. Salvaging Seashells: "Seashells are a craft supply that I actually love sourcing from thrift stores," says Poskin. "Lovingly collected as souvenirs, they’re eventually relegated to the donation pile after years of sitting in a Siploc in the basement. Look for them in the grab bag section along the checkout line at thrift stores, they’re a steal at under $5 a bag!" For summer entertaining—whether for decoration or activity—why not turn your beachcombing treasures into creative DIY projects? Martha's 4 All-Time Favorite Summer Games Credit: decorvow Now that you have the menu planned, the table set, the cocktails mixed, and all the finishing touches in place—it's time to think about play. And maybe the best way to channel your inner summertime Martha is to host some lawn games. decorvow Each game has official rules and regulation-size playing areas, and you can be a gentle amateur or an aggressive, competitive player in any of these sports. All that really matters is that one gets outside, picks up a racket or a ball or a mallet, and enjoys nature and friendship at its best." — decorvow At Martha's Westchester Country farm, she has kept certain areas open and groomed for the express purpose of providing courts for some of her favorite lawn games. Even if you don't have sprawling grounds for simultaneous lawn games, let Martha's ideas spark your joy of play and offer your guests a way to make summer memories they won't soon forget. Explore more: Entertaining Seasonal Summer Entertaining