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With everyone's summer vacations and outdoor festivals and beach houses, it can be tough to plan an event everyone is around for. Our solution: Host one big shindig that celebrates all your summer pals, maximizing the fun and minimizing the awful, "no one is around that weekend so we're just skipping your party this year" feelings.

Save the Date
Since the whole point of this shindig is scheduling ease, get the word out as early as you can. Ask around to see what works best. You might be better off having a casual Tuesday night hangout when folks are in town, instead of an ill-attended Saturday night gathering.

Set the date a bit in advance, and then don't feel guilty about sending a gentle e-reminder (e-minder?) as the date approaches. Your guests will feel glad to be reminded or, at worst, guilted into coming. (We kid!)

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Food
Leos are creative people so give your pals a way to express themselves. Satisfy everyone's sweet tooth with a cupcake bar. Bake a batch of cupcakes and set out different types of frosting and toppings in small ramekins. With their choice of broken candy chunks, marshmallows, sprinkles and gummi worms, guests will be able to customize their own confections.

Decor
Just because it's a party for Leos doesn't mean you have to decorate with pictures from "The Lion King" (unless the gals you are celebrating happen to be 8). Instead, stick with linens in late-summer hues, like rich golden yellows that match the Leo's personality.

A few inexpensive drugstore sunflowers make a perfect centerpiece arrangement for the shindig. Since your fete is slightly Zodiac-themed, whip out a box of tarot cards or a horoscope book so your party has some astrological entertainment.

Drinks
Leos tend to prefer lavish exploits and rich food, so don't just toss out a few sixers and expect to call it a day. A signature cocktail that shows a bit of effort will impress their sophisticated taste. Impress your fancy friends with an easy-to-whip-up French 75: one part gin, two parts champagne, teaspoon of sugar or simple syrup, and an ounce of lemon juice.