How to avoid outdoor entertaining pitfalls

There is so much to consider when entertaining outside. Where will you entertain?  Do you have a nice patio, a gazebo or a just a nice big lawn? Will you need outdoor heaters or a fire pit, or will you instead need shade and fans to keep cool? Will you need a barbeque or a fridge for chilled foods? A lot of the questions about what you will need can be answered by who is coming to the party.

Fire Pits

What kind of party is it?

For a children’s party you will most likely want disposable dishes and utensils. You might want a cooler of sodas and juice for the kids to grab as needed. You may want some chilled snacks as well. A barbeque may be good if kept away from the children.
If it is a business gathering you almost certainly won’t be using the pool. You may opt for chilled wine instead of sodas. A classy gazebo might be just the thing to impress your guests.

Classy Sun Protection

If this is just a party for friends you may want a larger variety of drinks. Some of your friends may bring children unless you tell them not to. You may need a little something to entertain everyone. For an evening party consider white party lights around a gazebo or the deck. You may also want to show a movie on an outside entertainment system or simply play some music. You may want to consider yard games for the kids and a dance floor for the adults.

How do I find the right furniture?

No matter who you are entertaining you will need some good outdoor furniture. Simple folding chairs and tables will do the job but not impress. You may want to consider some good outdoor chairs and tables and set up an area for entertaining that will be enjoyed for years to come. You could get some beautiful iron furniture with washable cushions which can be removed during inclement weather.

Lovely Wrought Iron

You may prefer cozy wicker. Wicker is best kept in a sheltered area to help it last longer rather than be left exposed to the harsh elements. It’s a great option for a covered porch or gazebo.

Beautiful Wicker

Dishes and cutlery

There are more choices than deciding between disposable dishes and your good china. You can buy specially made dishes for use outside. There are plastic and metal dishes. They come in many colors and designs, so shop around! They may be sold as camping or picnic dishes. Metal dishes will last longer than plastic because the plastic dishes degrade from the sun over time and can crack if dropped. Plastic dishes however are lighter weight and just seem more appealing to most people. A metal cup will retain the cold of a drink longer than plastic though, so that may be a plus in summer.

Drink In Summer Style

Comfort in bad weather

You can buy or rent a pop up tent. Smaller ones can be set up by one person but larger tents will require more people to put up.

Stylish Tents

There are also easy to set up gazebos. These are a simple and more cost efficient option than a permanent gazebo. They can also save space by being stored when not in use.

If you have a patio then a simple tarp or roll out awning may be the preferred choice. Many awnings are now automated so you simply press a button and it rolls out and sets its self up.

Retractable Shade

Staying comfortable outdoors in cold or heat

You cannot control the weather but you can work around it. In addition to shelter there are ways to warm or cool your guests. Outdoor heaters are great to keep guests warm. You may have seen them at some outdoor malls. If you have stood or sat underneath one you will know how much heat they put out. They are a great choice for warmth.

Staying Warm In The Yard

A fire pit is another nice option. It adds a nice flair and some lighting as well as warmth but it may not be as warm as the heaters.

For summer cooling you can do more than simply provide shade. You can set up fans to help keep the air moving around your guests. There are fans specially made for using in the great outdoors. You may also wish to invest in some misters. A good mister will not soak your guests or even really get them wet but it will make them feel a lot cooler.

How do I entertain guests?

While you could drag your TV outside there are much better options. You can buy special outdoor entertainment centers for showing movies on DVD. You can get radios that run on sunlight. That option will save on electricity and batteries while providing dance music or pleasing background sounds.

Keeping the mosquitoes away

Not the most pleasant of topics, but every outdoor event struggles with mosquitoes and flies ruining the party. Wasps can also be a problem. You can buy fly and wasp traps to set out in advance and this will help you avoid unsightly bug zappers or smelly candles. A bug zapper might be okay if used in an area away from the party so it is not a distraction and helps lure bugs away from the party to the zapper.

A good host will have thought about who their guests will be and have chosen appropriate items and food for those people. Appropriate entertainment may differ for adults than for a group of children or teens. Food choices will differ as well. With a little forethought you can ensure your outdoor event is enjoyed by all of your guests.