3 Creative Ways to Usher in the Summer

When the warmer weather comes to town, we all find ourselves dreaming of a summer holiday. Stare out of your office window and suddenly, the grey road below is a jewel-blue ocean, the glare from the high-rise windows a dazzling Bajan sun, and as you wander past the water cooler, you’re dancing into the hazy twilight of island life. That’s until you have another round of client emails to see to, of course.

But a British summertime isn’t all misery and misfortune. Quite the opposite, actually. We’ve found that there are plenty of creative ways to welcome the warmer months without jetting off on a holiday every two weeks if you’re just willing to try something new.

Once 5 pm hits, the sizzling summer evening is all yours. Here are some of our top recommendations for spending it wisely.

1. Host a Themed Barbecue

You probably anticipated that somewhere on this list, you’d find a barbecue. “Oh good,” we hear you say, “what a unique way to usher in the summer that I’d never have thought of myself”. If you’ve had one barbecue, you’ve had them all, right? Think again. This year, you could level up your grilling game with a themed barbecue night that will bring your friends and family back together for a feast.

But how can you secure the RSVPs when your guests’ calendars are filled to the brim with barbecue bashes? We recommend taking inspiration from the experts in hospitality — the Italians. The papas of il bel paese are fond of a spot of al fresco dining, regularly bringing the family together to enjoy a range of herby grilled vegetables, meats and cheeses, as per standard Italian fare.

The culinary experts at Pasta Evangelists recommend spiedini, an essential Italian barbecue. Here, “morsels of fresh seafood, vegetables, and even cheeses are threaded onto a spiedo, or ‘stick’, and slowly roasted over an open flame, resulting in a mouthwatering assortment of grilled dishes”. 

Your skewers can comprise any cut of meat alongside tomatoes, peppers, piquant onions or pancetta, garnished with sage, bay leaves, rosemary and more. Then, serve up some contorni — side dishes — like olive oil-dressed courgette, burrata, or roast new potatoes. This is more than a burger in a bun.

2. Celebrate National Hot Dog Day

In a controversial twist of fate, your all-Italian barbecue didn’t include a single sausage. And you might have pleased the Italian Puritans within your friendship circle, but now the hot-dog-loving in-laws are seriously peeved. Think fast. Luckily, the fast-approaching 21st of July isn’t just your run-of-the-mill Wednesday this year — it’s also National Hot Dog Day.

Yes, that exists. So why not celebrate it accordingly? While it’s a fairly American tradition to enjoy a hot dog on a hot day — or German, if you read up on the origins of the Frankfurter — this summer is all about embracing new pastimes and establishing traditions. For example, you might invite the neighbours round for a night of hotdog-themed games and revelry, or even a hotdog eating contest if you aren’t still reeling from last week’s spiedini.

However you choose to celebrate, do it in style. You’ll need to be kitted out with all things ketchup and mustard — they can serve as your team colours if you play any lawn games — and consider experimenting with some new and exciting toppings too. The Spruce Eats recommends sweet pineapple relish or Vietnamese-inspired pickled veggies. How’s that for creative?

3. Plant a Patio Garden

On a humid July’s eve, manual labour is probably at the bottom of your to-do list. We get it — but we’d also beg you to reconsider. If you put in the graft now to plant your very own vegetable patch, it could pay dividends when you’re hankering for some fresh home-grown produce later in the year. You’ll reap what you sow, quite literally.

Some of the best summer crops for garden planting are also some of the most versatile ingredients that could add a dose of nutrition to any meal. We recommend planting fridge staples like carrots, lettuce, spring onions and French beans in the warmer months to enjoy an autumn crop further down the line. Or, if you’re new to crop cultivation, consider a simpler growing season by planting a herb garden.

Getting green-fingered in the heat is a reinvigorating summer experience in itself, but it’ll also keep your love of the great outdoors burning through the colder months when the fruits of your labour can be harvested. Pull up your wellies and get stuck in.