Party on! Outdoor revelry takes some thought and planning

___

Published Date 7/1/2022

What is it about being outside and getting social with friends that just makes you want to smile? Perhaps the past few years as we waited out the more serious COVID strains, we are bursting at the seams at last, looking for fun instead of daily statistics. Whatever it is, having a great outdoor party takes thought and prep work, even if you end up being the one thrown in the pool by the end of the evening.

First, think lists. The Spruce’s Debby Mayne encourages you to keep a running list of everything you’ll need to do and check it off as you accomplish each task. That includes your grocery and beverage list, music, games, the setup, and whatever else is needed for the party. “Your lists should be easy to alter so you can add things as you think of them,” says Mayne. “Also, have a guest list and put a mark by people's names when they accept or decline.”

Next, don’t rely on a casual phone conversation or word of mouth to get people to your party. Invitations can be sent through snail mail, email, or even a phone call or text message; savvy hosts know to use a combination of at least two of these methods, with one confirming the other. Be specific with the date, time, and party location and include the type of party, whether it's a pool party, BBQ, birthday party, etc. Also add a note saying the genre of food being served so your guests know if it's appetizers or a hearty meal. And don’t forget to relay any special information if your guests should bring anything, such as a swimsuit and towel, a dish to pass, or BYOB. “If you're planning to play outdoor games, include that too, so your guests will know to wear more casual clothes and comfortable shoes,” says Mayne. And be diligent about your RSVPs so you know how many people to plan for.

The party menu doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Think variety, like a buffet with a variety of food options such as vegan or gluten-free so there is something for everyone. Potlucks are a great way to offer your guests an opportunity to share their best dishes, but find out their intentions so that you don’t have 10 salads and no entrees or desserts. Next, create a way to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold by positioning the serving table near an electrical outlet. Place a shallow pan of ice beneath platters of items that need to be kept cold. And don’t forget the desserts; offer an assortment of cookies, fresh fruit, or other simple finger food desserts that are easy to eat and disappear quickly so that you need not worry about too many leftovers.

Variety is the spice of outdoor life. “The best hosts offer a variety of beverages to their guests,” says Mayne. “If you choose to serve alcohol, also provide some nonalcoholic options for those who choose not to imbibe or consume less alcohol. There is also nothing wrong with having a BYOB setup since everyone has specific preferences.” She goes on to suggest placing your beverage station in a different location from the food area to prevent a back-up when everyone is trying to get something to drink and eat and have a cooler or ice chest filled with enough ice nearby.

Don’t forget the trash cans— have at least one available, and either keep an eye on it and empty it before it starts to overflow or assign a family member to monitor it. If you’re not using paper products for serving, you'll also need a place for everyone to put their dishes and glassware after they are finished, like a table or plastic bin that you set in an out-of-the-way location.

Like an indoor party, lots of people stand. Sitting is less mingle-friendly. But provide plenty of seating for everyone anyway, using the chairs from your patio set, lawn chairs, and folding chairs as long as they are in a secure position and on a level surface. Dry lawns are also a great place for blankets, especially for kids in attendance. Not enough chairs? You can ask each guest to bring a few or tap your neighbors for assistance.

Daytime outdoor parties require some shade, like a patio with a roof, a tent, an awning, or an umbrella. If you have a brutal backyard sun exposure, consider renting a shade structure for a day. As for nighttime parties, you’ll need plenty of lighting. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be bright as long as your guest can see well enough to move about and have conversations with others,” says Mayne. “Use string lights, lanterns, candles, and other lighting you may already have in your outdoor area.”

Decor is your job, but do consider something festive, like colorful lanterns, a piñata, string lights, and bright tablecloths. Even your place settings can be as colorful as you want. Don’t be afraid to mix and match colors and textures as you decorate.

Music sets the stage, so work on your playlist based on the people your attendees. “If a variety of generations are attending, offer music that spans the decades. Keep the music upbeat, happy and fun,” says Mayne. Set up the list using music-streaming services like Spotify, iHeart, or Pandora and plan to have tunes that will play for five to six hours to ensure there are no repeats or interruptions to music. Plus, music is best heard without blasting it. After trial and error, you’ll find an even level of sound so people can chat together instead of screaming over the music. Themed or holiday parties will have all their own built-in activities, whether with backyard movies, masquerade, or an elegant cocktail party. “Knowing the theme makes the decorations, food, music, games, and dress simpler for both you and the guests,” says Mayne.

And be considerate of your neighbors. If you’re not inviting them, at least warn them of your plans, as outdoor parties can become quite noisy if you allow them to. Be sensitive to noise levels especially if you know they have small children or work shifts. If your neighbors object for any reason, consider bringing the party indoors after a certain time, but make sure to set an alarm on your smartwatch or phone or you may easily lose track of time.

Keeping bugs at bay means eliminating all standing water in the area, adding some well-placed fans and a few citronella candles around the party area, and offering guests bug spray or repellent wipes. Cover the food with netting or lids.

Prepping for your party includes mowing your lawn and trimming your shrubs in the vicinity of the party, cleaning your outdoor furniture, and hosing down your patio area. Often overlooked is first aid. Mayne suggests having a first aid kit that includes adhesive bandages and sterile gauze pads in various sizes, antiseptic wipes, cream or spray for bug bites or bee stings, tweezers and disposable gloves. If it’s a daytime party, have a few varieties of sunblock on hand.

Time to par-tay! Mingle with your guests, take the time to talk to everyone you invited, and enjoy yourself. Laughing is infectious and should definitely be on your list as well.

TheSpruce, TBWS

All information furnished has been forwarded to you and is provided by thetbwsgroup only for informational purposes. Forecasting shall be considered as events which may be expected but not guaranteed. Neither the forwarding party and/or company nor thetbwsgroup assume any responsibility to any person who relies on information or forecasting contained in this report and disclaims all liability in respect to decisions or actions, or lack thereof based on any or all of the contents of this report.

“Equal Housing Lender. NEXA Mortgage, LLC NMLS 1660690. I am a licensed mortgage originator, NMLS # 630337, and licensed to originate mortgage loans in the state of Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, Tennessee, and Texas. To learn more, visit my NEXA Mortgage website at http://lillianwong.net."