Whether you plan to serve steaks or hot dogs, having friends over for an evening of fun in your backyard doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here are seven quick tips to entertaining outside without the fuss.
[1] Use an online invitation service to let everyone know about your party. You can get fast RSVPs, people can see who else is attending, and you can make a list of things people can bring if they want. It doesn't have to be just food. Ask them to bring their ipod, yard games, table games, whatever may be fun. You can even ask for extra chairs.
[2] To clean up, focus on the outside. You can avoid people trekking through the front door if you put up solar-powered tiki torches and some twinkle lights, making a festive path along side the house. Toss any of your junk piles in the house to the back bedroom, spiffy up the kitchen and wipe down everything in the bathroom. Put out room fragrances that scent your house to smell like the beach, dim the lights and turn on a bunch of battery-powered tea lights. They are festive, but you don't have to worry about flames anywhere.
[3] Pull out your inside comfort items to the outside. Blankets, pillows, even lamps with an extension cord. Add table cloths. Your deck or patio will instantly feel cozy. If you can do it easily without spending a lot of money, choose a theme.
[4] For food, decide what foods you could buy pre-made and then make them personalized. For example you can buy bulk potato salad or baked beans. Add chopped up celery, boiled eggs, and then sprinkle paprika on your potato salad. Add big pieces of bacon to your baked beans. For your meat, choose something simple where everyone doesn't have to have it cooked their way. Ask a spouse or friend to grill, or grill in advance and warm it up on the grill at the end. You can also have an item like salmon. Wrap it in foil with herbs and oils and steam on the grill. Use some smoke-flavored wood chips to keep everyone drooling from the scent.
[5] Use paper plates and utensils. There are lots of bright colors at the dollar stores that will match your theme.
[6] Hire a teenager to entertain the children. Let her set up the kids table and plan activities. An ice cream maker with sundae toppings is a great project --and dessert! A fancy sprinkler or a craft like sand art can keep little hands busy. Or set up a treasure hunt in advance.
[7] Skip fancy drinks, and provide a variety of sodas (don't forget root beer and orange cream soda) and sparkling water. Have juice boxes for the kids. Throw a plastic table cloth over a wheel barrow or other bucket, dump in ice and arrange. Sit out a large self-serve container of unsweetened ice tea with some ice cubes pre-made with black berries and mint leaves inside for a fancy effect.
Remember, it's all about getting together with friends and not trying to be the perfect hostess who never sits down. Relax and leave the clean up until the next day.
[1] Use an online invitation service to let everyone know about your party. You can get fast RSVPs, people can see who else is attending, and you can make a list of things people can bring if they want. It doesn't have to be just food. Ask them to bring their ipod, yard games, table games, whatever may be fun. You can even ask for extra chairs.
[2] To clean up, focus on the outside. You can avoid people trekking through the front door if you put up solar-powered tiki torches and some twinkle lights, making a festive path along side the house. Toss any of your junk piles in the house to the back bedroom, spiffy up the kitchen and wipe down everything in the bathroom. Put out room fragrances that scent your house to smell like the beach, dim the lights and turn on a bunch of battery-powered tea lights. They are festive, but you don't have to worry about flames anywhere.
[3] Pull out your inside comfort items to the outside. Blankets, pillows, even lamps with an extension cord. Add table cloths. Your deck or patio will instantly feel cozy. If you can do it easily without spending a lot of money, choose a theme.
[4] For food, decide what foods you could buy pre-made and then make them personalized. For example you can buy bulk potato salad or baked beans. Add chopped up celery, boiled eggs, and then sprinkle paprika on your potato salad. Add big pieces of bacon to your baked beans. For your meat, choose something simple where everyone doesn't have to have it cooked their way. Ask a spouse or friend to grill, or grill in advance and warm it up on the grill at the end. You can also have an item like salmon. Wrap it in foil with herbs and oils and steam on the grill. Use some smoke-flavored wood chips to keep everyone drooling from the scent.
[5] Use paper plates and utensils. There are lots of bright colors at the dollar stores that will match your theme.
[6] Hire a teenager to entertain the children. Let her set up the kids table and plan activities. An ice cream maker with sundae toppings is a great project --and dessert! A fancy sprinkler or a craft like sand art can keep little hands busy. Or set up a treasure hunt in advance.
[7] Skip fancy drinks, and provide a variety of sodas (don't forget root beer and orange cream soda) and sparkling water. Have juice boxes for the kids. Throw a plastic table cloth over a wheel barrow or other bucket, dump in ice and arrange. Sit out a large self-serve container of unsweetened ice tea with some ice cubes pre-made with black berries and mint leaves inside for a fancy effect.
Remember, it's all about getting together with friends and not trying to be the perfect hostess who never sits down. Relax and leave the clean up until the next day.
About the Author:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Invisible Illness Awareness Week held each year in Sept and featuring a 5-day virtual conference w/ 20 seminars w/ 20 speakers. Follow II Week on Twitter for prizes and info. Blog about invisible illness on your site, be a featured guest blogger, meet others, read articles and lots more. Make a difference!
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