The Art of Outdoor Entertaining

Whether it's a bridal shower, graduation celebration or just a casual holiday barbecue, summertime is ripe for the festive fun of outdoor entertaining. Hosting a successful soiree, however, means reducing the potential for problems to a minimum and keeping the good vibes flowing from start to finish. Stay True to Theme While some parties have an obvious theme, such as a graduation or a baby shower, others may simply coincide with a season or an upcoming holiday. Choosing to host a themed party can add to the lightheartedness and fun. Outdoor parties generally allow for a larger number of guests and more spreading out around the patio, deck or backyard. Carry your theme throughout the space with floral centerpieces, color-coordinated decor and eye-catching tablescapes that stay consistent. Themed parties also encourage the opportunity for engaging guests through their attire, potluck dishes and party activities or games. A luau, for example, can mean guests are asked to dress in Hawaiian outfits and bring a tropical-flavored dish to share. Realistic Refreshments Stay realistic about your capability to produce enough food for the number of guests. While individually plated meals may look more appealing, their time-consuming nature should also be a consideration. The key to hosting a successful party is in the advanced prep, and that includes the food items. Focus on dishes that give you the most bang for your buck, like charcuterie boards for snacking, a variety of salad options and proteins like chicken or beef skewers that can be made in advance and simply reheated on the grill or in the oven. For easy-peasy drinks, make a large batch of sangria or a spiked punch ahead of time for serving out of pitchers. Remember to provide an additional mocktail version (clearly marked) for the non-drinkers and child-friendly drinks, if needed. Consider the dietary restrictions of your guests, if any are known, and provide thoughtful options. Eliminate allergy foods from the menu completely and serve meat in separate dishes to be respectful of vegetarians. Engaging Entertainment While chatting and catching up may sufficiently break the ice for the first hour, think of a few activities that will keep both young and old entertained. Playing a variety of upbeat music is a no-brainer, or if you have the resources, consider hiring a local band or a DJ to spin tunes. Yard games like cornhole, ladder ball and large-sized Jenga can fuel a little friendly competition between guests. Take it up a notch by organizing the games into a version of the Summer Olympics with prizes for the winners. A bonfire, firepit with s'mores makings or a fireworks display will always add to the ambiance of after-dark celebrations. Anticipate Nuisances Have you planned for rain? How about the inevitability of annoying insects or blood-thirsty mosquitos? Although it may be impossible to completely avoid Mother Nature's party-pooper ways, being prepared will once again serve you well when it comes to bugs and weather. Table umbrellas and pop-up tents will save your guests from passing showers in a pinch and an array of insect-deterrent candles or herbal arrangements can shoo away the nasty party crashers. Even just setting up an oscillating fan to lightly circulate air around the dining areas can be a huge help with deterring the little buggers. Deliver On Details Always buy plenty of ice, more than you expect to need. Stock the bathroom with extra toilet paper, hand soap and towels. Provide an excess of dinnerware, cutlery and cups. Use wine charms to mark glasses, or if using paper products, place a permanent marker by the cups for labeling each guest's cup. Keep multiple trash and recycling receptacles in view, marked and easily accessible for disposables. While these details seem mundane, they can ensure that a party progresses smoothly. Like with most skills, outdoor entertaining may take a little practice to master, but putting in the extra effort ahead of time can produce party-perfect results.