Are you ready for the Party Planning season? I am not! I actually love to have family and friends over, but planning the party stresses me out. We typically just decide at the spur of a moment that we want to have a few people over to have a cookout or BBQ, so that relieves me of much time to stress. For those parties though, like my son’s upcoming birthday, I can’t help but stress! Sally from Eat Breathe Blog is going to help us out. She tells us the tips of Party Planning including the decor and food!
How to Host the Best Patio Party
By Sally M
It’s the most wonderful time of year: outdoor party season! If you’re anything like me, you’ve been counting down the days on the calendar until you can finally free your sundresses and flip flops from winter storage.
One of the best ways to celebrate the warm weather’s return is to plan and host an outdoor bash. Hosting a patio party can be a lot of fun but it can easily become overwhelming if you don’t plan it correctly. Here are some tips to help you plan the best patio party ever.
Organize Your Patio Furniture
An outdoor party is no fun if there is nowhere to relax. Organized seating is crucial!
- Set up Patio Furniture in an open and inviting manner.
- Keep groupings small to encourage conversation.
- Table space is important if a sit-down meal is served; no one likes balancing a plate on their lap! Overflow seating (such as lawn chairs) is also a good idea.
Have a Theme
Don’t get caught up in decorating; focus on the atmosphere. The entire idea is to put your guests into a party mood. Trust me: a splash of color and organized seating will go a long way!
- Make sure to serve food and beverages that complement each other; you don’t want salsa and mashed potatoes at the same table.
- Playing music quietly in the background can also encourage conversation.
- Keep decorations simple.
Serve Great Food
One of the most important parts of a good patio party is the FOOD. Whether you serve snacks and appetizers throughout the party or are planning a main entree, make sure it is something your guests will enjoy. This is not the time to try out new recipes; stick with the classics. Finger sandwiches, fruit platters, and barbecues are always popular. You might consider a vegetarian option, too.
Don’t forget about beverages; they are a great way to enhance the atmosphere of a party! A themed drink is fun and keeps hosting the party simple. Offer one specialty drink (either alcoholic or not) as well as water, tea, and soda.
Have Plenty of Activities
While some guest will enjoy sitting and chatting, many will play games and participate in planned activities. Giving everyone something to ‘do’ will keep the atmosphere lively. Croquet, badminton, horseshoes, and bocce ball are great group activities. Card and board games are also a great idea for smaller gatherings; I like tournaments if the group is large. A little friendly competition is a great way to keep the atmosphere lively.
It’s a good idea to have games and activities planned for the kids too. You can choose to make the party ‘Adults Only’, but that may limit the number of guests able to attend. The longer the kids are entertained, the longer their parents/guardians can enjoy your fantastic patio party!
With a little planning and a lot of imagination, you can have the best patio party of the season!
Sally Marshall loves to eat and write for Eat Breathe Blog. She is also an elementary school teacher. Check her out on Twitter and Eat Breathe Blog.
Leave A Reply!