Ice cream has an immediate appeal, it inspires bright and spirited decor that makes any gathering feel like a special engagement. Once you have established your guest list, prepare for your party, using the following tips.

Invitations
There are many word processing programs that make it easy to print your own invitations. Decide on a simple invitation to send to guests. For my daughter’s party, I choose a pretty scooped ice cream pattern. This will spark your guest’s attention! Print the pattern onto cardstock, print off and indicate the party details to guests.

Setup
The centerpiece of your party is a make your own ice cream sundae bar. Make signs to call attention to specific flavors and toppings, so guests notice and taste them all. Right now is a great time to take advantage of all of the summer tableware in your local craft and party supply stores. Find brightly colored inexpensive plastic dishes that you can use to assemble your ice cream sundae toppings bar. Old-fashioned glass sundae cups can be found at your local dollar store, along with pretty paper napkins that can coordinate with your table.

Move your party outside to help cut down on the clean up. Cover a table with a tablecloth and place it in a shady spot on your lawn and arrange the ice cream and sundae toppings. If you are hosting the party outside in the warm weather, make sure to keep your ice cream as cold as possible prior to serving. Keep a cooler of ice near the ice cream table as an extra precaution against melting ice cream. Hosting your party outdoors is the most favorable sundae setting, as the mess will be entirely outside.

Menu
A make your own sundae bar allows everyone to create his or her own sundaes with their favorite flavor combinations. The combinations of ice cream flavors and toppings are endless. Your toppings list should include at the very minimum the following: whipped cream, hot fudge, caramel, chocolate, chopped nuts, bananas, and cherries. For a more diverse topping palette, add other fun toppings such as crushed Oreo cookies, M&M's, Heath bars and chopped peanut butter cups.

Choose at least three to four ice cream flavors for your party. I recommend vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and the fourth flavor being one you think will be widely accepted, such as mint chocolate chip. Consider purchasing edible waffle cone bowls, which will hold your ice cream creations. Your guests will finish their treats with no leftover dishes, except for the spoons, making cleanup a snap!

Party Favors
Let your guests take the party home with them. Purchase small wooden spoons and pint-size bowls and turn it into a take home gift bag. In the container, include a treat bag full of favorite sundae topping such as chocolate chips, sprinkles or chopped nuts. Your guests will enjoy making ice cream at home, and will think fondly of your party whenever they want a sweet treat.

This party features simple, bright décor, ice cream sundaes, and lots of opportunities for your guests to mingle between mouthfuls of yummy ice cream. Try these ideas for this chill social occasion. With a million and one ways to make ice cream treats, no wonder this party idea is so fun!