Rainbow Party Prep for Pride Month

While you might be tempted to make everything rainbow, multi-colored décor works best when paired with a neutral background. Choose one or two solid colors for things like tablecloths, plates and napkins. Save the rainbows for your party snacks and a few special decorations like this fringe garland rainbow from the Sweet Lulu blog, which can be hung over your snack table.

You'll want festive fare for your Pride party. Dishes like rainbow roasted vegetables and rainbow salsa are simple, beautiful and colorful crowd-pleasers that are also vegan-friendly — and they don't contain allergens like gluten and nuts. 

Your rainbow theme gives you the opportunity to present a refreshing summer staple — fresh fruit — in new and interesting ways. Go fancy with what Babble.com calls "Fruit Salad on a Stick." Or create an edible rainbow by laying your fruit out on a large serving platter. Skin-on apple slices work for reds and greens (just soak or spritz with lemon juice to prevent browning).

Your drink options will depend on the kind of crowd you're inviting, but with colored ice cubes, even plain water becomes a magical beverage. You can make them as subtle or as bright as you like! Doubtless, you already know how to make ice cubes, but check out that link anyway — the folks at Tablespoon use colored ice in a number of ways to great effect. 

Visit Pat O'Brien's bar for a variety of cocktail recipes. To make a drink they call "Rainbow," follow this recipe:

-- Start with 1 oz. Grenadine
-- Add crushed ice
-- Add 3 oz. Collins Mix
-- Add 1 oz. Vodka
-- Top drink with 1/2 oz. Blue Curacao
-- Garnish with an orange and cherry

For a dessert that tastes great in every color, try out these pride cupcakes. For a more natural variation, replace the artificial food coloring with brightly colored fruit or vegetable juice. Beets, strawberries, blueberries and grape juice can give your cupcakes a dose of color and a hint of fruit flavor.  If you're interested in experimenting with natural food dyes, head over to this post from Nourishing Joy for tips and tricks.

Color fights have gained popularity thanks to Bollywood movies and Color Run marathons. Inspired by Holi, an ancient Hindu religious festival of love, color fight participants throw brightly-colored powder at each other. It's straightforward, messy and fun for all ages. For best results, host your color fight outdoors and warn your guests ahead of time so they can dress appropriately. You can buy Holi powder online or make your own with this recipe from Dukes and Duchesses.

If you're in the mood for one more messy-fun party project, set your guests loose upon the world with some of Magical Daydream's DIY peanut glitter bombs!