As we head into the summer season, it is time to plan what needs to be done before outdoor entertaining begins. This article will cover four tips for planning and hosting a fun outdoor gathering.
Outdoor Entertaining Planning List:
1. Preparations – Send invitations, clean up the yard, clean and plan serving tables and entrances, pest management, and outdoor lighting.
- Will you be sending printed or emailed invitations? On sites such as Evite, Punchbowl, and Paperless Post, you can pick a design, customize it with your party details, and email or text it to the recipients. If you prefer a printed and mailed invitation, check out Minted, Paper Source, or Zazzle for lovely options.
- As part of your spring clean-up, you may already have cleaned and power washed any outdoor areas; if not, it is an excellent time to check that off the list. On the day of the get-together, sweep or use a leaf blower to clean off yard debris and spider webs. Review my article, Outdoor Entertaining: Keep Pests Away, to decide the best way to manage pests.
- For quick and budget-friendly table centerpieces, add pops of color with flowers from your local grocery store and small glass vases or small lined wood boxes. Use cuttings of greenery from your yard to add height or fill the container.
- Review my DIY Outdoor Lighting Tips article for the best outdoor lighting solutions. Also, check out this video on budget-friendly solar-powered DIY options.
2. Seating – The best layout is where conversations can occur comfortably and naturally. The size of your event will determine the seating plan. Consider using folding tables that can be set up end to end to create a large dining table. People will most likely not want to sit in direct sunlight, so plan shady spots for people to sit comfortably.
3. Food and drinks – Determine the menu based on group size. The easiest plan is to serve buffet style, set up a canopy to protect food from the sun, and use ice trays and inflatable serving bars to keep food cold. I recommend having non-alcoholic drinks for kids on a separate table or cooler than adult drinks. Set out garbage and recycling bins to make clean-up easy for you and your guests.
4. Activities & Music – Will kids at the party need games or activities? For small children, have sidewalk chalk available, balls to play with, and bubbles, though they seem like a good idea. Inevitably, someone will end up with bubble juice dumped on them. For adults and teens, have Cornhole, Spikeball, or large Jenga blocks available. Use Spotify to create a customized music playlist for your event, or use Pandora to select a genre for background music. Before the event, remember to charge your portable speaker!
For other outdoor entertaining tips and ideas, check out my Pinterest Board, which includes table centerpieces, food and drink, and food cover ideas. Have fun planning your outdoor party!
By Debbie Correale, Redesign Right, LLC. Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Houzz. Feature image licensed from Shutterstock | Rawpixel.