10 easy Outdoor Entertaining Tips that will make your life easier (and your friends happier).
1.
Have a Patio ‘Party Cart‘ on hand. A what? I had purchased a small wheeled cart with three-wire baskets for my kitchen closet. I intended to use it for root veggies, etc. but it stood a couple of inches too high for the closet. I now use it as a Party Cart and load it with outdoor cookout essentials such as napkins, paper towels, candles, lighters, can/bottle opener, salt/pepper, sunscreen, bug spray, etc. so it’s always ready to wheel out and go to work wherever needed.
2.
Have LOTS of Solar Lighting to create a glowing ambiance the second darkness descends on your patio. I love the soft glow of candles and years ago invested in many, many glass tea light holders. I would set them out everywhere before a party and when darkness fell, ran around lighting them. They provided great ambiance but took me away from the party to light them. (I couldn’t even ask for help to light them because only I knew where they were located.) Go Solar!
3.
Tiki Torches. I have them all around the perimeter of my patio. I use the Tiki Torch holders that you pound into the ground. Set the torches in the holders, tighten the screws and they’ll stay upright all night long. The torches provide plenty of soft light all around the patio. Fill them with Citronella lamp oil and they also keep the Mosquitos away! (They’re visible so you can ask for help in lighting the torches).
4.
A Patio Fire Pit with a wire mesh dome adds ambiance and draws people together. But make sure you burn the right wood so you won’t drive your guests away with smoke. See my post on Wood 101 for more info.
5.
Use what’s available in your yard for Tablescapes: in the Spring, use Tulips and Dogwood cuttings. One of my favorites is lilac cuttings surrounded by fern fronds. Summer, float Peonies in a bowl of water. Fall, Mums is the natural choice. Look around and use what you have on hand, it’s free and lends a natural feel to any gathering.
6.
Repurpose Furniture. Before you put that old door or piece of furniture out on the curb take a good hard look at it. Can you repurpose it for outdoor use? It works! Just seal joints with silicone and paint the piece with exterior paint or wood sealant then forget about it. Throw plush cushions on chairs or a settee and you’ll have a cozy, eclectic, not to mention unique, patio set. I made the table above by repurposing a salvaged barn door.
7.
Put out a Cooler (tub, bucket etc.) or two filled with ice for your friends to keep their libations cold. And always have plenty of bottled water on hand.
8.
Don’t forget about your Pets. Exercise your dog the morning of the party and feed them before friends start to arrive. My Yellow Lab Rubi will cruise the party and nudge everyone’s hands looking for a nibble. Not everyone thinks this is cute.
9.
Two words: Container Plants. They’re easy to put together, can be as colorful as you want and you can move them around for the right ‘look’ at any gathering. Consider a few container plants of mosquito repellant plantings such as Citronella Grass, Catmint, Rosemary, Lavender and Basil.
10.
Make sure there is Shaded Shelter available. I’m lucky that my patio is shielded from the sun by 2:30 in the afternoon. In the heat of mid-summer, a long afternoon under the hot sun can be draining. If you do not have shade trees, there are many variations of ‘Pop Up’ canopy’s on the market. One or two set up around the yard will provide a nice reprieve for your guests.
Now, get outdoors and have fun on your Patio!
Ciao!