Summer is the season of sunshine‚ laughter and good company․ It's a time of alfresco entertaining‚ of long days and balmy nights․ It's generally a time when friends and family can be found gathered outside in the gardens‚ whether they are hosting a backyard barbecue‚ picnic on the beach or an upscale dinner party‚ to enjoy the beauty of the season and each other's company․ Read these 10 tips for alfresco entertaining success to take your summer gatherings to the next level․
Timeliness: Be sure to consider what time guests will arrive․ You want everyone to be able to relax and enjoy the outing without feeling like they need to leave or rush things․ By arranging your invitations around sunset‚ your guests will have the pleasure of eating great food in the daylight‚ then enjoy a romantic starlit evening․ This is a simple way to take advantage of the best of both worlds․ You could also stagger the arrival times of the different types of guests to create more room for mingling when guests arrive․
Outdoor games
Outdoor games are always a surefire way to inject your get-together with a little pep‚ whether you select tried-and-true lawn games such as cornhole and frisbee‚ or choose something more unique‚ like a scavenger hunt that sends guests to different parts of your yard to find treats or prizes․ Craft stations are a fun activity to set up․ Games are also a good option․ Games can bring people together and encourage them to meet those they did not know․ If your guests are of an age where this would be appropriate‚ you may wish to consider activities such as sack races or tug-of-war to make the event more active and engaging․
Planning for Weather
Weather can be a benefit or a bane․ It's generally a good idea to have a backup plan in case the weather goes against you․ The weather in summer can be stormy as well as hot‚ and sudden showers or winds can occur․ It is always a good idea to have a large shaded umbrella if the weather is very sunny․ Portable tents or canopies can be used if it rains during the party․ It's best to check the weather forecast before the party‚ so that a back-up plan can be made․ A back-up indoor space can be rented for an event in case of inclement weather‚ so that if something goes wrong‚ you can still have fun․
Decorations
As a rule of thumb‚ keep garden decoration simple․ The natural beauty of the area often is stunning enough without additional adornment‚ although hanging twinkling lights between the trees at sundown can be a lovely touch․ Set up wildflower table centerpieces in mason jars‚ or use colored tablecloths that coordinate with your seating arrangements in your reception area to give it a summery feel․ You want to design a space that is inviting‚ where people can move around freely and have a conversation‚ all while enjoying the fresh air and the view․
The patio layout is very important to the overall alfresco experience․ The space should serve both relaxation and dining purposes and should be designed to cater for both․ If space allows‚ offer small-and-big seating alternatives such as low cushions and throws for lounging‚ and larger tables for eating․ Hang outdoor lighting‚ such as string lights‚ for mood ambiance and functional illumination so people can see what they're eating and not have to squint during dinner on the patio․ Having food and drink stations around the house encourages guests to help themselves and wander in and out of the different areas of your home․
In conclusion‚ alfresco entertaining this summer need not be overwhelming․ With a little thought to timing‚ entertainment‚ the weather‚ the table and the space‚ you can create wonderful experiences for your guests․ Summer is here‚ ready for outdoor fun‚ connection and laughter․ Put these tips into practice to make the most of your outdoor spaces and create the perfect summer party or picnic atmosphere․ Enjoy summer days with family and friends as you make lasting memories and enjoy the beauty of the season․ So gather your family and friends‚ fire up the grill‚ and get ready to enjoy the summer sun․
