How to plan the ultimate Australia Day event at home
So the Christmas and New Year parties are well and truly done and dusted but with Australia Day looming large on the horizon, there’s another excuse for a celebration just around the corner.
It’s only a few short weeks before the scent of eau de barbeque wafts across the country. The 26th of January is the one day of the year (OK – with the exception of the race that stops the nation on the 2nd Tuesday in November) where things tend to always get a bit on the rowdy side, and the day is usually characterised by barbequed snags and an abundance of beer and wine.
If you’re looking for some great Australia Day activities and ideas for an event you’re hosting at home, then look no further as we’ve rounded up some of the best to make your day awesome.
Preparation
As with any good party, preparation is key. Since we’re all expecting clear and sunny skies this Aussie Day, a tidy lawn is imperative as it’s where your guests will no doubt be spending plenty of time playing backyard cricket or tossing some thongs. Make sure you demonstrate how patriotic you are with plenty of Australian flags, coasters and napkins strewn about. Other decorating ideas for the big day include inflatable kangaroos, Australiana pool toys, balloons (green and gold of course) and posters (think Crocodile Dundee, Mad Max and Steve Irwin).
Dressing for the day
How you dress for Australia Day is crucial to the enjoyment factor, so no guest should be permitted entry unless they:
- Are sporting an Australian flag face tattoo
- Have appropriate footwear in the form of a pair of thongs
- Are wearing shorts and a singlet
- Have slopped on some green and gold zinc
Australia Day food and drink
It goes without saying that it would simply be un-Australian not to have a barbeque on Australia Day, so make sure you have plenty of sausages and lamb chops to throw on the barbie throughout the day. This Australia Day falls on a Saturday so you can expect your guests to partake of a few extra tipples since for most of us, Sunday isn’t a work day – so it’s a good idea to keep the barbie fired up through the afternoon and keep the food coming.
Other ridgy-didge food items for Australia day include:
- Damper
- Sausage rolls and meat pies
- Prawns
- Vegemite scrolls
- Pavlova
- Lamingtons
- Tim Tams
- Pumpkins scones
On the liquid side of things, as long as the beer and wine don’t run out your party will definitely be a hit – just make sure you have plenty of ice to keep it all nicely chilled.
Music
When it comes to music on January 26, it has to be anthems from Australian icons all the way – so think Cold Chisel, Men at Work, John Farnham, Crowded House, Icehouse and AC/DC.
Backyard games
No Australia Day event would be complete without some backyard games to keep the festivities alive while the barbie is cooking. You can’t go wrong if you choose a couple of these:
- Thong tossing
- Backyard cricket
- Cockroach races
- Frisbee throwing
What are you waiting for?
There’s still time to get those invites out and plan the best Australia Day party ever. If you want to go all out with upmarket food and drink and need a little financial help with the catering, we’re here to help! Just check out our mini-loans from $1K- $5K to find out how quick and easy it is to get your hands on some extra funds. Once a loan is approved, we can usually deposit the cash into your bank account within a few hours - so there is heaps of time to make your Aussie day awesome!