Video:Basic Necessities for Outdoor Entertaining

Transcript:Basic Necessities for Outdoor Entertaining

Hi, my name is Lizzy Pribyl and I’m here today with About.com to talk to you about the basic necessitates for outdoor entertaining.

Outdoor Entertaining Space

The first thing to consider when gathering the basic necessities is the area you want to use to entertain. Make sure that the outdoor space will comfortably fit the amount of people you expect to show up. You don’t want a space that’s too big because it can make your gathering feel empty, but you also don’t want a space that’s too small because your guests can become crammed. 

Decor for Outdoors

Choose the decor for your outdoor gathering. Write down a list of verbs that you would use to describe your party. For example, if this gathering is a martini party you may use words, such as, classy, sophisticated and eloquent. Take those words and use them to create your decor. Take into considering the time of year and the expected weather conditions.

Outdoor Party Furniture

Gather the necessary furniture you’re going to need to entertain effectively. There should be enough seats for each person coming to your gathering. The furniture you choose to entertain with should be clean, match the theme of your event and should be made for outdoors. Indoor furniture can become very hot and uncomfortable, especially if you’re entertaining in the summer months. 

Lighting for Outdoor Entertaining

Decide what time of day you will be entertaining. If you’re entertaining in the middle of the afternoon lighting will be very minimal. If a portion of your outdoor gathering is held under a tent or in a garage, you may consider using small lights to add a warm atmosphere. Night lighting may be more of a challenge. Using candles, camping lanterns and small Christmas lights can add a glow to your outdoor occasion. 

Party Food and Cooking 

Your food needs to remain consistent with your theme. If you’re having an evening martini party, serving hotdogs would not be appropriate. You would want to serve something more along the line of hors d'oeuvre, fine desserts or bite-size foods, such as cheese. Make sure you have the appropriate equipment to cook the amount of food you’ll need, such as grills, cooking tools and serving trays.

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