Celebrate the Sun with a Summer Solstice Party

Looking for a reason to throw a summer party? Why not have a Summer Solstice party. The summer solstice is the first day of summer and the longest day of the year.

 The day in which the sun is at its highest point in the sky when the Earth’s axis reaches its steepest incline towards the sun. This year, June 21st marks the summer solstice for the northern hemisphere and will be a day of celebration for much of the world.

There are many traditions held on this day including, dancing around the Maypole in Sweden, wearing traditional costumes and floral wreaths and jumping over bonfires in several European countries. On this day many  plants were considered their most potent especially St John’s Wort, named after John the Baptist, which offered protection from evil spirits. St John’s Wort is a pretty sunny yellow flower that is still used today to help treat depression.

Summer Solstice Party Ideas

Have a Bonfire

I don’t recommend jumping over fire but there’s something about a sitting around a bonfire in the summer that’s really special. Singing around the campfire, telling stories and roasting marshmallows, so much fun.

Serve Strawberries

This is the time of year where strawberries are their freshest and should be readily available. Put them on your drinks. Make strawberry lemonade. Dip them in chocolate or just serve them alone. Check out my recipe for individual strawberry pretzel parfait. 

Activities

Make a Swedish Midsummer Head Wreath by gathering flowers and other plant materials and weaving them between a wire wreath fitted to your head. There are many tutorials with details, like
this one from vintagewhitesblog.com

Music

Hire a guitarist to play your favorites or make a playlist of your favorite songs about the sun to play at the party.  Here are a few oldies but goodies:

• Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
• Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me – Elton John
• Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and The Waves
• You are the Sunshine of my Life – Stevie Wonder
• Ain’t No Sunshine – Bill Withers

I hope this post inspires you celebrate the sun during the summer solstice. If hosting a party just isn’t your thing look around your area for a summer solstice fair and join in on the celebration.