Planning a summer party and using your credit card

Summary

• A credit card may be a good way to cover expenses for a summer party and earn rewards for your purchases.
• To help maximize rewards, use a credit card that offers higher rewards rates for the items or categories you’ll spend the most on.
• Plan to pay your balance in full by the due date, or as soon as possible, to keep interest costs low and help maximize your rewards.

With warm weather comes outdoor activities. That can mean firing up the grill for a backyard BBQ; heading to the neighbors’ house to celebrate a high school or college graduation; or inviting friends over to your apartment building’s rooftop pool. Whatever the theme for your summer party, you’ll need supplies. And when you need supplies, your credit card may help you earn rewards on all of your purchases.

Let’s dive into all the ways your credit card may benefit you as you plan your summer party.

Summer party ideas

Planning a summer party boils down to asking yourself a few questions: Do you have a special event you want to celebrate with your family? Are you looking to throw an epic BBQ, or simply gather a few good friends together?

A theme is one way to turn your summer event into a memorable experience. Here are just some summer party theme ideas:

• Summer birthdays
• High school or college graduation
• Summer holidays
• Outdoor BBQ
• Pool party
• Ice cream social
• Outdoor movie night

What supplies do you need for your summer party?

Once you’ve decided on a party theme, it’s time to put your list of supplies together. For any summer party, food and cold refreshments will likely be top of the list, but you’re likely to need other items as well.

Here are some considerations to keep in mind:

Graduation party

Between attending celebrations and hosting your own, graduation season can last all summer — and that means you'll probably head to the store for gifts and party supplies.

If you’re throwing a graduation party, you’ll need food and drinks for your guests, along with tables, chairs and graduation-themed decorations. But you may also need to plan for inclement weather, so renting a party tent may be a good idea. 

If you’re attending a graduation party, you may want to bring a gift for the graduate or contribute food and drinks. A small host gift is also a thoughtful gesture.

Using a credit card for these purchases could help you earn cash back rewards while covering costs.

Backyard BBQ

A backyard BBQ means one thing: lots of food. Well, when you’re hosting a BBQ, it means a lot more.

Is that old rusty barbecue grill not going to cut it anymore? Maybe it’s time for an upgrade. Summer can be a great time to take advantage of sales on outdoor grills.

Make sure you have plenty of disposable dishware, cutlery, and cups. Similar to a graduation party, consider if it makes sense to rent a party tent, tables and chairs.

Do you also need entertainment? A waterproof outdoor speaker could help set the vibe, and outdoor games are a great way for friends to mingle.

Pool party

When hosting a pool party, food and cold beverages are key, but you’ll also want to have a few additional supplies on hand.

To help keep your guests protected from the sun, be sure to pick up some extra sunscreen. While guests may bring their own towels, having extras on hand is always a good idea. And don’t forget pool inflatables to help entertain the kids.

Outdoor movie night

Holding an outdoor movie night can be fun for both adults and kids. This type of party may require additional consideration, however.

First, will you need a movie screen and projector, or a new TV that can be used outside? You might also need blankets for people to sit on, as well as some to cover up if the weather gets chilly in the evening. And no movie viewing is complete without popcorn and snacks.

How to use your credit card to maximize rewards for your summer party

To maximize credit card rewards for your summer party, use a card that aligns best with the supplies on your party shopping list.

For example, a backyard BBQ may mean a long list of burgers, dogs, veggies for grilling, buns and condiments. Use a credit card that lets you pick the category — grocery stores — you want to earn a higher rate of rewards, such as the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card.

If you’re planning to apply for a new credit card, review welcome offers that may give you even more rewards.

As you plan your spending, it’s always a good idea to keep responsible credit card habits in place, like avoiding overspending on a credit card and paying your balance in full by the due date. After that, you can start to dream up all the ways you might want to redeem those rewards.

Using your credit cards strategically for a summer party

Utilizing your credit cards strategically for a summer party may help you maximize the rewards you can earn. The key is to review the rewards rates on each of your cards to determine which card or cards make the most sense for your party shopping needs.

Table of Contents