Five Useful Tips for Hosting an Outdoor Dinner
This is a writing sample from Scripted writer Melissa Paige
Five Useful Tips for Hosting an Outdoor Dinner
If you're like many people, there's probably a bit of excitement that accompanies the idea of hosting an outdoor dinner party. However, like many of those people, you may also feel unsure about where to begin. Fortunately, when you follow a few simple steps, even you can host a dinner party designed to create memories to last a lifetime.
Organize Your Space
Especially if your event includes a long guest list, it's a good idea to organize your outdoor space in a way that offers plenty of room for mingling. Set aside a specific area for food preparation and another for preparing and offering drinks to your guests. You may even wish to set up a dance floor or a gathering of chairs designed to help the group engage in conversation with friends.
Comfort Is Key
When it comes to furniture, one thing to keep in mind is that the more comfortable it is, the more likely your guests are to stay for the entire event. Place thick, comfortable cushions on chairs at the dinner table to encourage guests to sit and talk even after their meal is complete. You may even want to transform your outdoor environment into a cozy indoor-like setting by bringing indoor furniture to the outdoors.
Create a Relaxing Ambiance
A few ideas for creating the perfect ambience for your dinner party include making beautiful centerpieces for your table, adding candles to the main table and enhancing your space with themed decorations. You can even set bowls of water in strategically placed areas with flowers floating on top.
Less Is More
Place an umbrella over the table or lay brown craft paper atop the preparation area to keep things as simple as possible. Not only can the simplicity of your party help your guests relax, but it can also allow you to spend more time with your loved ones and less time fussing over minor details.
Gather Around a Fire
A patio fire pit is a great way to encourage togetherness with your guests as well as keep the area warm on those cooler nights. Having a fire may also discourage unwanted insects from entering your domain.