Fresh fruit is an easy summer snack. You can even create
“fruit pops” by inserting popsicle sticks into watermelon
slices and then freezing them before the party.
Create defined
seating areas
for you and
your guests.
This facilitates
conversation
and creates
attractive
outdoor areas.
Treat your
outside space
like the inside
of your home
and use rugs
and drapes to
dress up your
patio or deck.
You can also
bring indoor
furniture out
if you find you
need more
seating options
the day of the
party.
YOUR HOME MAGAZINE | 19
keep food simple and seasonal
The last thing you want to do is stress about a full meal, so choose
options that are light, simple, and seasonal. A theme can provide
a helpful launching point for your party if you want to host
something a little more structured. For an outdoor movie night,
popcorn, soda, and a little something sweet like s’mores are perfect.
A menu for a fun dinner party for your gal pals can be built around
a delicious cocktail or two. Family and friends over for a grill out
might enjoy “make your own” style food where people can build
personal pizzas, burgers, or meat and veggie skewers. No matter
what you choose to do with food and drink, buying pre-chopped
ingredients will be a huge help on the day of the party.
A casual outdoor party is also a great time to accept help—make
it a potluck and either assign dishes or let people know the theme
so they have some direction. If you want to get high-tech about it,
create a text group or cloud-based spreadsheet where guests can
write down what they are bringing so you avoid duplicate dishes.
weather-friendly snacks
When it comes to snacks and appetizers, food that’s unaffected by
heat is a great way to cut down on both mental and physical party
preparations. Nuts, popcorn, and chips provide salty sustenance
throughout the party and thankfully don’t require refrigeration.