| Do you love to have your family, relatives and friends | | | | be thrifty, then a basin or washtub or even new large |
| over for holiday celebrations and barbecues? If you | | | | metal trash container (which doesn't cost a lot), filled |
| love to entertain crowds and want to turn your patio | | | | with ice will do the job to keep the sodas and other |
| into a party central next summer, then here are some | | | | beverages cold for at least the duration of your party. |
| easy ways to redecorate your patio so that you can | | | | Always cook from a menu |
| party all summer. | | | | Even if you are just serving simple appetizers and |
| Get creative with seating | | | | party foods, it is advisable to plan a menu that suits |
| When you are inviting lots of people over frequently | | | | with the selected party theme. For instance, if your |
| and unless you are having formal dinner parties - | | | | chosen theme is an Italian dinner party, you could |
| abandon the large dining set is a wise choice. Bring in | | | | serve appetizers of prosciutto on fresh Italian bread |
| some picnic tables to hold the food and build a small | | | | with herbs and stock the bar with lots of Italian wine. If |
| bar in one corner of the patio to hold the beverages. | | | | you are planning a barbecue for the big game, then |
| You can buy basic pre-made bar units at many home | | | | you have to stock up on football favorites like burgers, |
| stores. In addition, get a few bar stools as well. To | | | | fries and brats. Planning a menu beforehand, will surely |
| make sure there is enough seating for everyone, | | | | help you keep the party on track. |
| purchase patio furniture that does double duty. | | | | Decorate using the landscape of your yard |
| In order to maximize your patio space, you can build | | | | It can be daunting to decorate for an outdoor party but |
| your own seating. Make long benches on all sides of | | | | it is smart to use what you already have. Do you have |
| the patio that double as storage space. You can buy | | | | lots of small bushes and hedges? If you do, string |
| cushions or make your own cushions to go with the | | | | some white lights or use a net of lights to decorate to |
| benches. This way, you can store extra dishes, | | | | provide some dim lighting. |
| glasses, utensils and all the other things you will need in | | | | Are there lots of trees? If you do, hang some lantern, |
| the benches. The good point is everything you require | | | | paper streamers or small wind chimes in the trees to |
| will be right at hand but out of sight. Isn't that great! You | | | | provide some decoration and some enlightening tunes. |
| should have an uncluttered, crowd friendly patio that | | | | If the path to get to the patio is rocky or is difficult to |
| can seat all your guests at the party comfortably. | | | | see at night, you may place small candles in white |
| Create flow on the patio | | | | paper lunch bags, anchor them with sand to light the |
| On a smaller patio with lots of guests, the flow of the | | | | path. Place the bags along both sides of the path to |
| patio is critical. You should set up a distinct area for | | | | make sure your guests can see where they are |
| conversation and a distinct area for eating. Create a | | | | walking. |
| line where people can pick up silverware, plates and | | | | Plan music ahead of time |
| glasses and then proceed to the grill to pick up any | | | | It will be pleasant if your music fits the theme of the |
| grilled food. Finally, lead guests to the buffet or picnic | | | | party. Bring a portable CD player outside and play |
| table for salads, sides and condiments before sitting | | | | some pre-mixed CDs that have a blend of popular |
| down to eat. It will be much easier to keep everyone | | | | party songs and songs that fit your party theme. You |
| fed and to keep everyone moving easily when you | | | | can also choose and burn the party songs of your |
| arrange the furniture so that there will be a smooth | | | | choice by yourself. If you invest in a multiple CD |
| flow. | | | | changer, then you need not worry about music for the |
| Set the right mood for your preferred theme | | | | whole evening. Just put in all the CDs that you have |
| In order to make the party more entertaining for | | | | and let it run continuously. |
| everyone, you should pick a theme for each party and | | | | Keep the fun going after the sun goes down |
| add decorative touches to enhance the theme. You | | | | When it is too dark to play sports or do other outdoor |
| can use different types of decorations, lighting, | | | | activities and people are getting bored, bring out a |
| cushions, dishes and so on to make the patio look | | | | stash of board games to keep everyone interested. |
| cohesive and represent that theme. | | | | Trivia games and situational games are a lot of fun at |
| If you throw many parties, you might think it is too | | | | parties. Some top choices board games are Monopoly, |
| expensive to decorate for every single one. Yes, it | | | | Scrabble, Checkers and Life. |
| may be true but the key to decorating well on a | | | | You could also use a fire table to simulate a campfire. |
| budget is to recycle your leftover decorations as much | | | | Fire tables are remarkable for outdoor entertaining. |
| as possible. It is economical to change the covers on | | | | They are sturdy small tables that have a fire pit built |
| cushions and pillows. Select tablecloths in neutral colors | | | | into them. You can have a roaring camp fire or you |
| so that you can reuse them for different events. | | | | can have a small smoldering fire. You can roast |
| Splurge on one or two larger decorative items that are | | | | marshmallows, sing songs or tell stories and keep the |
| just for that party. Keep the rest of the decorations in | | | | excitement going late into the evening. |
| solid colors that you can reuse for other events. | | | | Have a backup plan |
| Keep cold drinks "cold" | | | | Even the nicest summer weather can turn ugly without |
| If you have just a basic bar set up on your patio, it can | | | | notice. You should always have a backup plan in case |
| be tough to keep sodas and other beverages cold. If | | | | the weather gets bad. Have a space ready to move |
| you don't mind spending a little money, you can buy a | | | | the party indoors if you need to. Alternately, make sure |
| solar powered mini fridge or chiller that will keep your | | | | that you have an awning or some type of cover over |
| cold drinks nice and cold behind the bar. If you want to | | | | the patio to shelter your guests from wind or rain. |