It’s a bit odd that Australia celebrates the Queen’s Birthday, but having said that nobody down under is going to say no to a day off. It’s all based around the idea of pineapples as a symbol of royalty and hospitality. So here are the team’s half-hearted attempts at organising a low-key party.
Lessons Learnt from Bad Planning
On the day we test ran the unofficial rules, we ran into two polite Englishman. We were rambling around Happy Valley and a little lost without a map (if I’m being honest).
But there was a larger group coming the other way down the hill. They were heading to the local brewhouse and the last pair of gentlemen were carrying stainless steel growlers.
We’d made the fatal mistake of peaking too early and not pre-planning Monday’s food and drinking arrangements. I was keen to try the new Red ale back in the comfort of my armchair and Netflix.
We cheekily asked where they had bought their growlers. They said they had bought them in Ipswich, but that you can buy them almost anywhere. This is about ‘English’ as our long weekend is going to get. And we’d like to formally thank the Englishman for their friendly advice.
Unofficial Venues to Hold Your Queen’s Holiday Party
The perfect venue is somewhere where you can hear the birds, cicadas and zero traffic. So get a little bit adventurous and go off the beaten track. Bush-bashing is a fair dinkum hobby Aussie invention that should be in the Commonwealth Games. (Just a suggestion, ‘Your Majesty’).
The best option might be to hold it in your own backyard or a nearby park.
Unofficial Queen’s Holiday Dress Code
We’re not snobby. The dress code is always your best Sunday casual wear. Look the fashionistas might give you extra points for local independent brands and pineapple cuffed trousers. Women can wear their favourite BlackMilk Clothing dress, overalls or whatever is clean.
Men can wear their favourite loud printed cotton shirt and coloured shorts. If you’re near a beach or pool then we’re happy for you to don a pair of boardshorts (Tolu Australia prints are lust-worthy). But seriously we’re just happy if you turn up, lug your own grog, clean the barbecue, burn the onion (but not your eyebrows or the bush) and don’t forget the tomato sauce.
Unofficial Queen’s Holiday Catering Suggestions
Try to make the catering as low-fuss as possible. Think about a backyard barbeque or bring a dish with your family and friends.
Grab your besting serving dish and throw a fresh fruit platter with whipped coconut cream. Grab at least one bag of Bryon Bay corn chips. I’m impartial to Jatz cheese, heirloom tomatoes, basil leaves and mozzarella or tomato twinkies on Sao. But whatever floats your tastebuds.
You might like to prepare your bar beforehand with lots of options including Sobah (or a carton from the Craft Cartel) and mocktails served in faux yellow pineapples (think eBay and Big W). If you are flush, please invest in a more classy pineapple vessel.
You might want to add a bottle of Brisbane Distillery Company vodka or gin to your bar. The vodka is a Pine Lime Splice with fresh pineapple and Lime Peel botanicals.
We’re likely to be listening to Triple J, Double J, 4ZZZ or something upbeat on Spotify. Don’t go overboard, just go with the crowd favourites.
Unofficial Queen’s Holiday Party Decorations
Yep, more pineapples. The Queen’s favourite colour is blue. So go wild with whatever you have on hand – think the four classic colours (red, green, blue and yellow). Ditch the plastic straws and go with paper or reusable ones.
Don’t forget to pack 2 litres of water per person, a hat and sunscreen if you’re going on a picnic and in case there aren’t enough park seats.
Unofficial Queen’s Holiday Wind Down Plans
After the big lunch event, you need to wind back down to the workday. So the man of the house is highly likely to be watching sport or checking the score on his smartphone. A well-behaved husband will be napping in front of the telly.
And because our local hospitality workers are also on holiday, we’ll leave you with some emergency instructions on how to make pizza.
We like to quietly pretend we aren’t competitive or judgy, but if you really want to outdo the neighbours, the unofficial Queensland rule is ‘the person who owns the most pineapple merchandise wins’.
Shorts image credit: © Copyright Tolu Australia 2019
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