Crab Feast Party | crab and shrimp boil summer entertaining

Crab Feast Party | crab and shrimp boil summer entertaining #michaelsmakers 

The season for outdoor entertaining has arrived!

There are so many things to celebrate this time of year and so many reasons to entertain.
Father’s Day, Independence Day, Backyard BBQ’s and more
– even if it is simply gathering the ones you love and enjoying the beautiful outdoors

No matter what the occasion may be, for us, a Crab Feast Party is the essence of summer entertaining.
A Mid-Atlantic summer would not be summer without steamed crabs!

Hosting a Crab Feast Party is a casual backyard affair
and the planning and preparation is actually quite simple.

It’s really all about the fresh steamed crabs seasoned with Old Bay – they are the real stars of the show.

We like to combine the crabs with a one-pot shrimp boil along with a few traditional trimmings and sides.  This makes for a gathering that does not require major plans to host and one that you actually can sit back, relax and enjoy, along with your guests.

It’s one of the easiest parties we like to host multiple times throughout the summer season.

Setting up for a Crab Feast Party can be effortless affair – just line the table with newspaper and display the bountiful feast down the center.

Though it doesn’t take much to create a fun, yet casual scene, with the addition of a few simple touches.

As we prepare for the upcoming party season, Michaels challenged the Michaels Makers team
to put together their perfect summer celebration.

Ours, of course, included the ultimate staple on any summer menu in and around the Chesapeake Bay; Steamed Crabs.

The details for this intimate Crab Feast Party can be found below,
along with a recipe that puts a fun twist on a traditional strawberry shortcake dessert.

The place settings were created to welcome each guest to the table, displaying their own little bountiful feast tucked in a small Bushel Basket.

In place traditional newspaper, a roll of Polka Dot Print Kraft Paper was used to line the table and make clean up a cinch.

Cotton Paisley Bandanas served as napkins and added a pop of color
atop the Galvanized Metal Chargers.

The chargers, found in-store, not only made perfect ‘crab cracking’ platters for each guest to use while eating, but contained the shells for easy disposal.

The handmade mini life preserver charms added a touch of whimsy to each basket.

The charms were made using Friendly Plastic and this silicone Ice Mold.

These simple DIY’s take just minutes to create.
More information and a step by step tutorial can be found here.

While the cooler, shown below, held the main beverages for the evening,
mason jar drinks were set for each guest.

The bottles were simply nestled into tall glass Mason Jars along with Paper Straws.

• On the Menu •

Steamed Crabs seasoned with Old Bay and a One-Pot Shrimp Boil, consisting of Shrimp, Onions, Corn, Red, White and Blue Mini Potatoes, and Sausage

• Condiments and Sides •

Fresh Lemon Wedges, Extra Old Bay Seasoning, Melted Butter, Vinegar, Golden Brown Hushpuppies, Salty Crackers and Fresh Bread

When serving sides and condiments I like to use a variety of home decor items that fit the theme or fun finds that can be repurposed after the party ends.

Adding a pop of color to any display can easily be achieved with the addition
of small decorative touches –
like the Honeycomb Picks and Twill Ribbon added to the Wooden Berry Baskets above.

• Dessert •

Strawberry Shortcake Treat Pops and Fresh Cut Watermelon on a Stick

These strawberry shortcake treat pops are a fun twist on a classic summertime favorite. They take just minutes to assemble using pre-made pound cake, fresh sliced strawberries, a quick fluffy cream cheese mixture and these fancy Treat Pop Containers.

And a summer soiree would not be complete without a refreshing slice of watermelon.
For grab and go convenience, we popped a few Sticks in the rinds!

• Beverages •

We can never seem to have enough coolers on the deck when we entertain during the summer.

I have walked by this huge storage ottoman at my local Michaels many times and was finally inspired to purchase it in preparation for the Crab Feast Party.

I thought it would create a unique and stylish vessel to keep the beverages cold and close to the table for the evening.

To protect the inside of the basket I picked up a large plastic storage tote to tuck inside,
packed it with ice and nestled in the drinks.

The table decor was kept simple and sweet – fresh flowers and a little candle light – the bare necessities.

These oversized Mason Jar Candle Lanterns provided just the right ambiance for the evening.
I simply filled each one with some Decorative Sand fit for the occasion.

The cheerful Alstroemeria was picked up right at our local market – cut down, tied with some jute and tucked into two Glass Cylinder Vases, lined with seashells.

Finally, if you have ever been to a Crab Feast Party you know picking crabs can be a somewhat messy affair. We like to treat our guests to a warm hand towel, prior to moving onto the next important course – dessert.

I purchased a bundle of inexpensive washcloths specifically for this purpose. Prior to the party – roll the washcloths and arrange them on a microwavable platter. As the dinner is winding down, wet the towels, douse them with a freshly squeezed lemon and place them in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds.  The addition of fresh lemon acts as a natural cleanser and will help remove any crab smells left behind.

Let the Summer festivities begin!
What is on the menu for your favorite go-to summer soiree?

• Get The Look •

Place Settings
Galvanized Charger – Michaels In-Store
Paisley Bandana
Bushel Basket
Life Preserver Charm – DIY using Friendly Plastic and Drink Saver Ice Mold
Claw Crackers 
Seafood Picks
Wooden Crab Mallet
Mason Jars
Paper Straws

Decor
Kraft Polka Dot Paper Roll – Table Liner
Mason Jar Lantern & Candle Set
Decorative Sand
Glass Cylinder Vases

Food Display
Butter Warmers
Wooden Berry Baskets
Red Stripe Twill Ribbon
Blue Metal Baskets – Michaels In-Store
Honeycomb Picks
Wilton Treat Pop Containers 
American Flag Picks
Watermelon Sticks
Basket Storage Ottoman – Michaels In-Store

For more Summer Party Inspiration be sure to check out all of the other Michaels Makers DIY ideas on the Michaels blog.
An InLinkz Link-up

This post is brought to you by Michaels . The opinions read here are entirely my own. From paper crafts, party goods and baking supplies to new outdoor lighting, glass and floral, Michaels is your DIY destination for all of your summer celebrations. Cheers to Summer!