The First Rule of Summer Party Planning: Keep It Simple


Too often we work ourselves into a tizzy trying to throw the perfect party. Give yourself a break: Offer your guests good company, good music and good food and drink, and they’ll go home happy.


From the decor to the menu, it’s best to keep outdoor entertaining simple. But simple doesn’t mean boring; it means planning ahead and streamlining. Do as much as you can before the day of your event. Plan your menu, clean up your yard, decide how you’ll decorate and light or shade your space, check your supply of ice and decide what serving bowls, dishes and linens or plastic cloths you’ll need. Set up your sound system – even if it’s just a portable CD player – and choose music that will set the proper mood.
 
The Basics
Take a good look at your entertaining space and consider each of the factors


  • Space – How many people will fit? What areas should be used for what purposes? Move your yard furniture around to create spaces for sitting, eating and cooking and for kids to play safely.



  • Temperature – If you are planning a daytime party, make sure that the food will be served in a shady area and that your guests won’t be sweltering in the sun. Trees, colorful umbrellas, awnings and canopies provide welcome shade and add a festive atmosphere.



  • Decoration – Keep your decorations simple and bold. Cheerful container plants, colorful table cloths and comfortable seating are all you need to transform your back yard or patio into an outdoor dining room. Have your kids make centerpieces out of freshly picked flowers and greenery from your garden, or make creative arrangements of brightly colored vegetables. Enormous bowls of chips and tangy salsa or a generous heap of lemon and lime wedges set out next to bottles of mineral water make a pretty and practical table decoration.



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