Whether you’re a hardcore royalist or you’re just happy to have another four-day bank holiday this year, the Queen’s Platinum jubilee is certainly worthy of a toast – and a party!
Supermarkets and boutiques alike have already introduced huge ranges of commemorative memorabilia, decorations, and food fit for a king (or queen!), but how do you pull it all together?
Thankfully, we’ve made a complete list of everything you need to host your very own Platinum Jubilee afternoon tea, exclusive garden gathering, or fun-filled street party!
Food
A good Jubilee party is nothing without a feast of scrumptious food, and there are lots of family favourites which originated right here in the United Kingdom.
Coronation chicken, cucumber, and egg and cress make for delicious and on-theme sandwich fillings, and are perfectly complemented by pork pies, scotch eggs and sausage rolls. If you’re wanting to bring a little of the Royal Family’s German heritage into the mix, we recommend serving up a classic quiche!
Fancy a sweet treat after all those savoury snacks? Named after Queen Victoria herself, a Victoria sponge cake is the perfect centre piece for your buffet. Whether you bake it yourself or simply nip to Costco (we won’t tell!), your guests are sure to love this iconic sweet treat.
If a Victoria sponge isn’t for you, there are lots of other quintessentially British alternatives such as strawberries and cream, Eton mess, jam tarts, scones, Bakewell tarts and Battenberg cakes. Morrisons have even introduced an adorable Corgi cake to celebrate the occasion!
Drinks
Once you’ve relished a truly royal banquet, it’s time to wash it down with an equally magnificent tipple.
Pimm’s is a staple for summer parties across the country, and there are dozens of ways to transform this beloved cocktail from ‘the same old’ to ‘brave and bold’.
If you prefer something a little more distinguished, why not try a gin and Dubonnet? Widely claimed to be the Queen’s favourite drink, this delicious brew mixes one part gin with two parts Dubonnet, with an orange or lemon twist to garnish. We recommend using Slingsby or Masons’ gin for a Yorkshire twist!
Including children and sober friends in the fun? Little ones will love a refreshing pitcher of ice-cold cloudy lemonade, and this fruity Kir Royale mocktail is sure to be a hit with grown-ups.
Finally, what’s a Jubilee celebration without a good cup of tea? For a cooling summery twist, try PG Tips’ mouthwatering iced tea mockjito!
Activities
Nothing brings people together at a party quite like a good game. Guest of all ages will enjoy this Jubilee-themed bingo, and you can even take it back to basics with a classic egg-and-spoon race, skipping, and a three-legged race!
Hosting a street party? Make the most of the open space and play chalk games on the pavement! Simply draw the outlines of hopscotch, What’s the time Mr Wolf? and noughts and crosses, and the kids will be entertained for hours.
If your kids would prefer something a little more creative, why not challenge them to design a paper crown fit for royalty or choose something from twinkl's 2,000 Jubilee-themed activity sheets and games!
Decorations
Finally, a Jubilee party needs to look and sound like a Jubilee party!
From bunting and paper chains to vintage plates and rustic tablecloths, you can go as subtle or over-the-top as you like.
Image source: Next
If you’re hosting a street party, the good news is you don’t need a license to play music over the bank holiday weekend. Spotify has all your music needs covered, and we think this Best of British playlist is perfect for the occasion. Featuring classics from Oasis, Spice Girls, Queen (of course!) and more, you’ll be warbling to Wonderwall in no time.
To make your party extra special, we recommend making a prop box for your guests to wear in their selfies – think plastic crowns, top hats, canes, and lots of Union Jack flags – so you can cherish the memories of your Jubilee party forever!
Are you hosting a street party on your Erris Homes development this Platinum Jubilee weekend? Be sure to tag #TheErrisLife and @erris_homes on Instagram and we might share your post on our feed!