10 Tips for the Perfect Outdoor Backyard Party

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10 Tips for the Perfect Outdoor Backyard Party

We have had beautiful, perfect weather afternoons. It would be a shame to eat dinner inside, so we’ve been making great use of our backyard patio. School is about to end, so I did a special end-of-school outdoor barbecue dinner. When you have an outdoor party, you want to make use of every single bit of space that you have.  The kids loved it and of course requesting we eat dinner every night on the patio with full decoration! Anyway, since Memorial weekend is coming up, I thought it would be helpful to share 10 tips for the perfect outdoor backyard party. I’m sure many of you are either hosting or will attend a barbecue this weekend. And with summer at our doorstep, maybe you might be hosting an outdoor backyard party dinner this summer. Also, I’m obsessed with gingham for summer styling and love how it is paired with a good stripe!

10 Tips for the Perfect Outdoor Backyard Party

1. Have a Drink Station or Drink Cart–I think a drink station is a must. Guests want to stay refreshed and cooled, especially during a hot summer night. Make sure to supply different drink options and mixer ideas for guests. And keep it stocked throughout the evening. Here are some tasty lemonade recipes.
2. Serve seasonal fruit–have a platter or tray filled with an assortment of fruits that are in season. Sweet fruit can be nostalgia to a summer evening and will make an evening more memorable. Watermelon or cherries or fresh berries they make the perfect appetizer to a memorable evening.
3. Surround your patio with citronella plants and citronella candles. This will help keep pesky bugs away. Plant the citronella plants in modern pots or large pots with flowers or other greenery. It will add color to a deck or stone patio. Before guests come, rub the leaves to release the scent. Citronella candles will also keep bugs away and add a comfortable ambiance to your party.
4. Lighting. If your party is going through the evening, make sure you buy festoon lights to have good lighting so guests can see each other and to avoid anyone getting hurt. Also, globe strung lights and lanterns are perfect and a fun way to add easy lighting without paying a fortune.
5. Entertainment–If children are in attendance, have fun outdoor activities available for them so they aren’t being the pesky little bugs! Or if it’s adult only, have other activities or games to keep people occupied and the evening going.