The great outdoors adds an exciting element to any gathering. And we are blessed with wonderful weather and temperatures in the hill country. So here are a few tips that can help you pull off that outdoor party.
1) Descriptive invitations
When inviting your guests, be clear that the party will be held outdoors. It will assist your guests in what footwear and how to dress for the weather.
2) You have a plan A. Now be sure to have a plan B
If you don’t like the weather, wait 15 minutes. As we all know the weather can be unpredictable. Be prepared if rain threatens your party. Have some tents available or be prepared to move the party indoors.
3) What to serve on
For large parties serving on paper plates and plastic cups is a time saver and expected. However for smaller parties bring out your good china or crystal. Your guests will be pleasantly surprised. Besides, if you have to dust them off, you are not using them enough.
4) Ambient lighting
For your evening entertaining, be sure to supply some ambient lighting. Adding enough light will ensure that your guests will move about safely and allow them to see what they are eating or drinking. Avoid bright spotlights as this will take away from a pleasant relaxed mood.
5) Keeping cool
If having a party during the heat of the day, consider tents, or placing tables and chairs under trees or overhangs to provide plenty of shade. You might even consider fans and fans with misters to assist in cooling your guests.
6) Mingling
Encourage your guests to mingle by creating food stations in multiple locations. Set up your dinning tables in multiple groupings, and have your bar set up away from your dinning stations.
7) The unwanted pests
Mosquitoes, ants, and even rover can ruin a party rather quickly. You can spray for mosquitoes and ants a week prior to your gathering. Or you can try lighting citronella candles about an hour or more prior to the party. Even placing each leg of a table into a shallow container of water will help with ants. Nothing screams party foul louder than having rover helping himself to the food that was intended for your guests. And nobody wants to be bothered by relentless begging at their feet. If at all possible lock up your family pet for the duration of the party.
8) Be creative
Have fun creating your party atmosphere. Put floating candles in the pool. String party lights. Hang fun and bright decorations. Find fun ways to keep your beverages cold. Fill a wheelbarrow with ice and fill with your choice of beverage.
9) Plan your menu
If you are having a themed party, plan your menu around that theme. If you were hosting a BBQ, then brisket, sausage, coleslaw would be appropriate. If it’s a Luau then coconut shrimp, roast a pig etc. Menu shouldn’t stop at food. Your drink menu should compliment your food menu.
10) Trashcans
Don’t forget the trashcans. Place several trashcans in plain view but away from the bar and serving areas. You don’t want your guests standing around with used cups or plates in hand because they don’t know where to dispose of them. Even offer recycling options for those plastic or glass bottles and even those aluminum cans.
And have fun!
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