...: Outdoor Entertaining

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Outdoor Entertaining

Here's the article i wrote that was printed in Lakehomes and Lifestyle magazine. with all of this fabulous weather it's the perfect time to get outside and enjoy time with family and friends!!

"The internet is full of amazing tips, tutorials and inspiration to pull off any type of entertaining. Let me be your shortcut to using these ideas to your advantage and be fabulous, simply and effortlessly! – the busy budgeting mama

The Sun is shining and the landscaping is pruned, groomed and planted; we all know what that means…time to take the party outside! Outdoor Entertaining is one of my favorite things to do. Why? 1. The mess is outside. 2. It’s a party…enough said!

Don’t be overwhelmed with the idea of planning a party.. the easiest thing to do is to take it on in steps: figure out what kind of party you want to have, (looking to images for inspiration can always help with this process) break the event down into areas, make your to-do-list and before you know it you’ll have a party planned and executed that would make Martha Stewart herself want you on her design team!

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There are so many fun ways and reasons to throw an outdoor party.

Some fabulous outdoor party themes include:
movie night on the lawn-

pull out the blankets, pop the popcorn, tie up a sheet against the side of the house and you have your own outdoor movie theatre.

a classic cookout-
complete with burgers, hot dogs and some frisbee or football throwing.

A girl’s only tea party-
use your tea sets or gather eclectic dishes to create a whimsical garden party for the girls (big and small) in your life.

backyard black tie-
add a little sophistication to your classic cook-out and pull out the champagne and romantic mood lighting and enjoy an outdoor supper. Don’t forget to have your guests dress the part!

No matter what the occasion or reason for throwing an outdoor party…here are some key areas to focus on.

Decorations.

Depending on if you choose a theme or not you can go in many directions when it comes to decorations. An easy way to bring style and a cohesive look to your party is to use a color story throughout your space. Use the same color throughout the decorations, party details and sometimes even the menu items and refreshments!
If you are having an evening outdoor party, great lighting is essential. Some fun options are paper lanterns, stringed up lights or even candles hanging from the tree branches. Banners are very popular right now..use fabric that you have to create a pennant banner or cut out something to go with your theme and string them up! Mix citronella candles with colorful tea lights to keep away the bugs while maintaining a lovely look. Fresh cut flowers for the centerpieces thrown in vases or dishware that you already have add charm to your party!

Food.

Go with simple appetizers or a full 3 course meal..The more recipes you can prep beforehand the easier the day of will be! You want your guests to have tasty treats at your party but at the same time actually see you outside of the kitchen! Grilling is a great way to put the man in your life to work and let him be the amazingly manly grill master he is. Incorporate seasonal fruit into your menu to keep things fresh and sweet! Go with classic picnic food or kick it up a notch and break out your culinary skills!

Drinks.

Serve a variety of drinks; from fruity soda’s to fresh-squeezed lemonade. Keep the refreshments chilled in a galvanized tub full of ice. It’s not only pretty to look at but will help cool down your guests!

Personal touches that will make your parties memorable.

It’s all in the details like Menu Cards or menu item cards showcasing what you are serving. Place cards are great for groups and add some sophistication to any gathering. Incorporate some kind of fun element into your party such as setting up a bocce ball course, fire pit or photo booth! If your party is child friendly be sure to have activities to keep them entertained while the adults mingle. Art supplies or a sand box works perfectly for this! Favors for your guests can be a creative and fun way to thank your guests for coming! They can be as simple as a bag full of treats to a tiny potted plant! Don’t forget to set the mood with some music!"