Outdoor Entertaining
Recruit Helpers! Ask a few people to come early to set up tables, chairs, hang banners, prep food or the drink cart. Bonus: Come up with a signature cocktail. Simplify your grocery list by offering one signature punch or cocktail and having other basics on hand for guests to help themselves. If you have fruits, herbs or other cocktail ingredients growing in the garden, consider centering around an ingredient you know you’ll have on hand all summer, like mint for mojitos or berries for a fruity punch.
Put together an outdoor drink cart. Get guests out of the kitchen and invite them to serve themselves by setting up a low-key outdoor bar cart. Get your ducks in a row now by picking up a proper cart or, even easier, by finding a small table you can repurpose for the season or for a specific event. Leave room for a cooler nearby and sort out a jug to hold ice. If you’re prepping for a party, buy basics — like sparkling water, shelf-stable juices, soda and wine — or ask guests to bring something to share.
Try an outdoor rug. Outdoor rugs can make any outdoor eating area feel more finished, and they conveniently hide decks or outdoor flooring that you didn’t have time to clean. Plus, many outdoor rugs feel great under bare feet and make sitting on the ground with a few poufs a lot more inviting. Look for outdoor rugs made of recycled plastic, nylon or polyester that are water-resistant and easy to hose down for a quick cleanup.
String up twinkle lights. Instantly transform an outdoor space into one that feels ready for a party by hanging some cafe-style lights. Although the cheap string light kits can be used in a pinch, you’re better off investing in one or two strands of commercial-grade outdoor patio lights that are waterproof, much more durable and can be used year after year. Bulbs and cords are often sold separately for commercial-grade lights. Pick up a few extra bulbs now and you’ll be set for summer.
Gingham is the pattern of summer parties!
Nonstick 6-qt BBQ sauce and Bean pot - $16.99; good gift choice for kids too!
Don't forget the outdoor lighting!
Need a tub or basket of throws for cool nights around the fire pit
Fruity white peach sangria, yum yum! In a clear dispenser
Ashley Camper PhotographySave to IdeabookEmail Photo 18. Embrace hammocks and swings. Adults love them just as much as kids! Try stringing up a hammock on the porch or hang an old-school tire swing or rope swing. Just be sure to get some pro help when installing your swing or hammock to ensure safety.
15. Use found containers to hold drinks. Old enameled buckets, galvanized bins, troughs, wire baskets, clean flowerpots and more can be creative stand-ins for the typical cooler or ice bucket. Just be sure to check that your container is watertight before adding ice, and add a plastic lining if it’s not. To reduce traffic around the bar, set up mini drinks stations around the party, both inside and out.
14. Whip up some DIY furniture. Backyards, porches and patios are the perfect places to experiment with upcycled furniture. Turn a few pallets into a table and benches, or cover one with a futon mattress and lots of pillows to make an outdoor sofa. Tree stumps make great stools and side tables, and curbside finds can be easily disguised with strategically draped textiles.
Uptic StudiosSave to IdeabookEmail Photo 12. Take advantage of a pass-through window. Have a window on your porch or deck that leads into the kitchen? Count your lucky stars — you just found the perfect spot to create a party pass-through, ideal for handing out plates of appetizers or playing bartender.
6. Have multiple light sources. Just like indoors, lighting can make or break an outdoor room. For the most flattering glow at an evening soiree, try to include at least three light sources. For instance, hang string lights overhead, light up the fire pit and place a few small landscape lights in the bushes around the edge of the patio.
Plan for cool evenings. Keep it cozy outside after dark with sources of warmth and light. Have a couple of warm throw blankets on hand for draping over shoulders or invest in a movable fire pit or outdoor heaters. There are a handful of lightweight movable fire pits on the market (like the one from Modfire shown here) that are available in wood-burning and more environmentally friendly smoke-free configurations.
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