Once winter and its dreary grey skies make way for the warmer months of summer, you may just find yourself thinking about your close friends and family, and how you’d like to catch up with them by hosting an outdoor party at your home. But do you really need all the extra stress that’s sometimes involved in putting on an event? And isn’t there a lot of work and time involved in making sure the party is a complete success? Well, that depends on you. Hosting an outdoor party can be a lot of work if you don’t plan it properly, don’t have the right furniture, and try and do everything yourself, but here are three tips to ensure that your outdoor party is as effortless and enjoyable as possible.
Consult the Weatherman Before Settling on a Date
Although the weather can often be unpredictable, do your best to choose a date on the calendar that’s likely to attract good weather. Unfortunately, bad weather can ruin even the best outdoor party. Even during summer, the weather can sometimes take a crazy turn for the worse, either getting blazingly hot or ferociously stormy. So do some research and try and choose a date that’s likely to have pleasant weather. If it’s likely to be quite balmy, make sure you have enough shade in your backyard space to keep the sun away from your guests. If rain is predicted to make an appearance, again, make sure you have a covered space ready for your guests. Try to always have an indoor space that is party-suitable on standby, just in case.
Have the Right Furniture for Your Big Outdoor Party
If you want your guests to be as comfortable as possible during your party, and if you want to minimise the cleanup for yourself once the event is over, then make sure you choose the right type of furniture for your outdoor space. Furniture that was intended for indoor use often won’t last that long when cast outside, nor will it be easy to clean. It all comes down to the material used; a table made from softwood such as pine or white cypress may look fantastic when lacquered up and placed in your home, but outside it will eventually succumb to rot and cracking. Hardwood and aluminium, on the other hand, fare exceptionally well under the elements and are easy to clean. As for cushions, 100% polyester is best for outdoor use. To get an idea of what’s currently available on the outdoor furniture market, check out the websites of furniture retailers like (Super Amart)
Hire a Caterer for the Day
If you love the idea of entertaining your friends and family in the comfort of your own backyard, but hate all the preparation, cooking and cleaning up that goes along with hosting an outdoor party, then do what the celebrities – and a rapidly growing number of busy professionals – do: hire a caterer for the day. When you factor in the cost of making all the food yourself and the stress it puts on you to make sure everything is in order, plus the time it takes to clean up the mess after the party, you may actually find it works out better to get a professional in. Because, after all, why shouldn’t you be able to enjoy your outdoor party just like everyone else?
Do you have any other tips to make an outdoor party less of a strain on a host? Comment below with your ideas.
