Welcome the Light

The longest day of the year is practically shouting, "Host a party!"

So let’s do what we do best — gather your crowd, light some candles, pour a glass of something sparkling, and toast to the sunshine. The Summer Solstice is more than just a turning point in the calendar; it’s a golden hour moment stretched into a whole day. A day where nature turns the dial all the way up and says, “Look around — isn’t it all so beautiful?”

We think that’s worth celebrating. With intention. With good food. With your favourite people gathered around your table.

Here at Crowded Table by design, we believe in honouring the small things that turn into big memories — the clink of glasses under a warm sky, the laughter that lingers after dessert, the soft hum of music while fireflies flicker in the distance. A Summer Solstice Gathering isn’t about being fancy or perfect. It’s about being present. It’s about celebrating the light — both in the sky and in the faces of the people you love.

This season, let’s press pause on the scroll, step barefoot into the backyard, and create something unforgettable. Because when you set the table with intention, something magical happens: time slows down, conversation deepens, and suddenly… you’re not just hosting.

You’re experiencing. You’re living. You’re glowing.

So what do you say?
Let’s elevate your next gathering and make this solstice a celebration of light, connection, and golden moments you’ll want to bottle up forever.

✨ There’s always a place for you at our table — and this one’s shining just for you.
Let’s crowd your table with sunshine.

What is the Summer Solstice? (And Why We’re So Into It)

Alright sunshine lovers, let’s break it down: the Summer Solstice is the longest day and shortest night of the year — when the sun hangs around just a little longer, warming up the earth and our spirits. In the Northern Hemisphere, it usually falls on June 20th or 21st, and it’s been celebrated for centuries across cultures and continents as a sacred time to pause, gather, and honour the light.

From ancient stone circles in England (hi, Stonehenge 👋) to Nordic bonfires, from Indigenous sun ceremonies to the joyful flower-crown-filled festivities in Scandinavia — the solstice has always been a symbol of life, growth, and golden connection.

But beyond the historical hoopla, here’s why we at Crowded Table by design are swooning over this celestial moment:

The Summer Solstice is a seasonal turning point — an open door into the second half of the year, asking us to look around, look within, and ask:
✨ What’s blooming in my life right now?
✨ What needs light and attention?
✨ Who do I want beside me as I step into the rest of the year?

Symbolically, it’s all about light, expansion, and abundance — aka everything we hope your gathering will bring. And while the rest of the world may celebrate with rituals under the stars or dances around a maypole, we believe there’s power in celebrating right where you are: at your table.

At Crowded Table by design, we believe that seasonal shifts are sacred — and that setting your table with intention can be its own kind of ritual.

When you gather your crowd to mark this moment — whether it’s with a backyard dinner, a beachside picnic, or a candlelit meal on your patio — you’re tapping into something timeless. You’re not just having dinner. You’re making meaning. You’re syncing up with the rhythm of the earth and saying: this matters.

Because around here, gatherings aren’t just about feeding people. They’re about nourishing the soul. They’re about honouring the season you’re in — both outside and inside. And the solstice is the perfect excuse to do just that.

So go ahead, set the table, light the citronella (and a few dreams), and let the longest day of the year be a celebration of everything you’re growing, glowing, and grateful for. 🌞

How to Host a Summer Solstice Gathering

Let’s be honest — sometimes the idea of hosting sounds magical… until it starts feeling like a stress dream involving burned bruschetta, mismatched chairs, and a rogue bee in the wine glass.
But take a deep breath, sunshine — we’re here to guide, not overwhelm. Hosting a Summer Solstice Gathering should feel like a deep exhale, not a never-ending to-do list.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence.
It’s about creating space for connection, beauty, and a little barefoot joy.

So, let’s break it down into simple, soul-aligned steps — the Crowded Table way.

Set the Scene: Nature as Your Co-Host

Think: golden light, soft textures, wildflowers from the yard, woven baskets, wood tones, flickering candles, citrus, and sunshine.
You don’t need to build Stonehenge in your backyard. Just let the natural elements shine and let the outdoors do most of the decorating for you.

Summer Solstice Simmer Pot

🕯️ Solstice Simmer Pot Ritual

A scent offering for the season of light

There’s something undeniably magical about a house that smells like sunshine, herbs, and warmth. A summer simmer pot is our favorite low-effort, high-vibe way to set the mood for your gathering — and this one is slow-simmered by the glow of a candle warmer, making it safe, steady, and full of sensory delight.

✨ What You'll Need:

A Candle Warmer Lamp (we love this vintage-inspired one on Amazon — it turns your pot into a soft glowing altar)
A heatproof glass or ceramic container (mason jar, small bowl, or thrifted teacup work beautifully)
Filtered water
Slices of fresh citrus – especially lemon (☀️ for the sun!)
A few sprigs of fresh rosemary (🌿 for abundance)
A pinch of dried rosebuds (💗 for love)
A spoonful of dried chamomile (🌼 for peace and calm)
Optional: A few drops of your favourite essential oil (lemon, clove, or lavender are dreamy)

🌿 How to Make It:

Assemble your scent spell.
Add your citrus slices, rosemary, and dried flowers to your heat-safe container. Fill with water, leaving about 1 inch at the top.
Add your essence.
Optional but lovely — add a drop or two of essential oil for an extra burst of aromatherapy.
Set the glow.
Place your container under the Candle Warmer Lamp and turn it on. In about 20–30 minutes, the warmth will gently release the natural oils into the air, filling your space with soft, solstice-inspired scent.
Top it off.
Check your water level throughout the evening and refill as needed. It can simmer for hours, subtly shifting as it goes.

🌞 Why We Love It:

This simmer pot isn't just about fragrance — it’s a ritual of presence.
A way to mark the moment, warm your gathering space, and invite the energy of the sun indoors.

It’s also a conversation starter — your guests will absolutely ask, “What is that amazing smell?”

✨ Bonus Tip: Make a few dry bundles in advance (citrus slices + herbs + flowers) and tie them with twine. Offer them to guests as take-home favours — a scent memory from your Solstice & Soul table.
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2. Keep the Menu Fresh + Flowy

Solstice flavours should feel like you just stepped out of a farmer’s market with a linen bag full of juicy peaches and too many zucchinis.
Light, vibrant, seasonal dishes that invite conversation and second helpings.

🍑 Think:

A platter of in season berries with burrata
Herb-crusted salmon and charred corn on the cob
A make-ahead pasta salad with lemon and fresh basil
Something sweet like honey-drizzled shortcake or citrus sorbet

🥂 And don’t forget a signature sip — like a sun tea with edible flowers for your table (because she’s fancy like that).

🌞 Sun Tea with Citrus, Mint, & Edible Flower Ice Cubes

Because nothing says gathering in the glow quite like a pitcher of sun-brewed tea, kissed with citrus and cooled with frozen petals.

✨ Ingredients:

For the Sun Tea:

4–6 bags of hibiscus tea (or ¼ cup loose hibiscus flowers in a reusable pouch)
1–2 sprigs of fresh mint
1–2 citrus fruits, sliced (orange, lemon, or grapefruit all shine here)
6–8 cups cold, filtered water
2–4 tbsp honey, to taste (optional — add once steeped and warm)

For the Edible Flower Ice Cubes:

Clean, food-safe edible flowers (pansies, nasturtiums, borage, chamomile, marigold, or viola)
Mint leaves (optional)
Ice cube tray
Cold water

🌿 Instructions:

☀️ Sun Tea Method:

In a large glass pitcher or jar, combine the hibiscus tea, citrus slices, and mint sprigs.
Fill with cold water and stir gently.
Cover loosely (a beeswax wrap or lid works beautifully).
Place the pitcher in direct sunlight for 2 hours, depending on how strong you like it.
Once brewed, strain out the tea bags or herbs.
Stir in honey while the tea is still slightly warm from the sun — this helps it dissolve easily.
Refrigerate until chilled or serve immediately over ice.

✨ Crowd-Pleaser Tip: Make a double batch — this goes fast!

❄️ Edible Flower Ice Cubes:

Rinse flowers gently and pat dry.
Place a flower face-down in each compartment of your ice cube tray. Add a mint leaf if you like.
Fill halfway with water and freeze for 1 hour.
Top off each cube with more water and freeze again — this keeps the flowers suspended in the middle.
Pop out and store in a freezer-safe bag until party time.

💫 To Serve:

Pour the sun tea into a beautiful pitcher, add a few citrus rounds and mint sprigs for flair, and drop in the flower cubes just before serving. It’s the kind of detail that makes your guests pause mid-sip and say, “Wait, are these flowers in the ice?!”

A little glow, a little petal, and a whole lot of summer in a glass.

3. Create a Little Ritual (Don’t Be Scared by the Word)

We’re not talking full moon chants (unless that’s your vibe — in which case, yes please).
Just something that makes the evening feel special. Maybe everyone shares one thing they’re grateful for or one thing they’re calling in for the rest of the year.

💫 Host tip: Print out a simple reflection card or pass around a pretty bowl with journal prompts — we like to call these Soul Sparks. They take gatherings deeper, instantly.

4. Music, Mood, & Magic

Set the playlist to match the sun — warm, easy, golden. A little bossa nova, some indie folk, a splash of Stevie Nicks, and a whole lotta vibes.

Add some cozy textures — cushions, throws, candles, twinkle lights. We’re not just dining, we’re designing a moment.

And then… just let it flow. Let the conversations meander. Let the kids run barefoot. Let the dessert be a little melty. It’s all part of the glow.

5. End with Intention

As the sky fades from honey to indigo, let your gathering wind down with meaning. Maybe it’s a group candle-blowout wish. Maybe it’s a playlist of everyone’s favourite feel-good song.
Maybe it’s just lingering over the last sip, watching the stars blink awake.

🌌 The moment matters. Savour it.

Let us remind you — you don’t need to do it all.
Share the load so you can stop overthinking and start enjoying your own party.
So you can focus on what really matters: connection, beauty, and being fully present at your crowded table.

🌞 So, Will You Join Our Table This Solstice?

As the sun stretches across the sky and bathes everything in golden light, it’s whispering something to all of us:

Slow down. Look up. Gather close.

You don’t need a fancy backyard. You don’t need 17 matching chairs or a degree in candle styling. You just need a little intention, a splash of courage, and a heart that says: yes, I’m ready to celebrate this season I’m in.

Because here’s the truth:
✨ Moments become memories when we pause to honour them.
✨ Meals become magic when they’re shared with meaning.
✨ And gatherings become sacred when we stop trying to impress and start trying to connect.

At Crowded Table by design, we’re here to remind you — the art of gathering isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present.

So light that candle. Toss the corn on the grill. Pull out the playlist. And call in your people — whether it’s two or ten or twenty.

Because this Summer Solstice isn’t just a date on the calendar. It’s an invitation to elevate your next gathering, to crowd your table with joy, and to make a little magic — right where you are.

☀️ There’s always a place for you at our table.
And we hope this solstice, you’ll set the table with intention and invite the light in.

Ready to host your own soul-filled Summer Solstice Gathering?

🕊️ Grab the Gathering Guidebook here

It’s your effortless blueprint for an unforgettable evening — decor, menu, rituals, music and all. Zero stress. All the glow. Total crowd-pleaser.

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