event Archives - Impressions

Outdoor Comfort, Essentials for Entertaining

Outdoor entertaining has so many simple wonderful aspects but the joy of being out in the fresh air and sunshine can quickly turn sour if you forget to mange these few key comfort areas. If your guests are not comfortable they are not going to stay.

Bugs: Living in Minnesota the bugs are the number one issue and the quickest demise of outdoor gatherings. Mosquitos are most active at dawn and dusk so plan accordingly if out at these times to protect your guests. Plan in advance for large gatherings and get an eco-friendly service to spray your yard, stock up on citronella candles, start a bonfire, light decorative torches or lanterns.

Remove sources or standing water which can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes, check things such as birdbaths, wading pools, garden pools, clogged gutters and buckets that may have collected rain water.
Place a cut orange or a half full can of soda pop away from the party area to attract bugs to this location rather than your party.
Serve drinks in clear plastic cups as cans and bottles are good hiding places for insects when you are not looking.
Keep food stations covered if possible.
Manage the trash by keeping garbage cans accessible to guests but away form main gathering areas and keep them covered if possible to minimize attraction to bugs.
Feeling crafty try out this recipe for homemade citronella candles.

Sun: The sun can often cause more damage than good. Be sure there are ample places for guests to rest in the shade of a tree, tent, even large umbrellas or have an option to escape to an indoor area.

Dirt: Let’s face it: you’re outside, the kids are running around – it’s bound to get dirty at some point. Allow guests the ability to wash up easily without having to run to a restroom. Provide hand wipes and a hand sanitizer, or if you want to go the extra mile – warm folded cloths or disposable thick towels. Remember to keep food safety in mind: check out week #1 if you missed what you need to know before you dish up. Food poisoning is never a good thing to give guests as a memory.

Seating: Your guests need a place to relax, make sure you have ample seating but make it conducive to mingling. Set up little sitting areas for 3-6 people. Avoid lining seating in a circle unless you plan to give a demonstration. If you don’t have enough chairs use blankets, large towels and outdoor pillows to make comfortable seating on the ground. If you are eating, it is wise to have a few extra blankets on hand just in case someone spills, so you can have one to eat on and one to relax on.

Extra Thoughts: It is a great idea to have an outdoor party basket equipped with a few essentials you may need like bug spray, sunscreen, wet wipes and Band-Aids that guests can help themselves to, for a complete list click here

Pick up your copy of The Pretty Plate for more simple techniques and recipes, and learn about the five elements to make your everyday meals magnificent.

Easy Breezy, decorate with casual summer style for less

After you invite guests and plan the meal, it is all about creating a mood. The mood is the underlying tone of a party that ties everything together. It is the little elements of decoration, colors, centerpieces, flowers, lighting and sound that all play into the overall feel of the party. Here is how to pull off a unique and elegant look without breaking the bank.

Serving Items: When it comes to outdoor events I like to use high quality disposable products. There are nice ones on the market now that are durable and made of recyclable and compostable products so you don’t have to feel so bad about tossing them away. Don’t go the inexpensive rout here: higher quality dishes means more durable, so less chance of spills, cracking and guests dropping a plate of food. Acrylic dishes are also nice as they are strong, reusable and you don’t have to worry about them breaking but you do need to wash them.

Napkins: Add color with napkins: use paper, assorted cloth or craft bandanas that you can usually find for $1. When purchasing napkins look for ones with solid colors or non-decrepit designs that can be easily mixed and matched and used for multiple events, avoid ones with writing like “Happy Birthday” or “Welcome Baby”.

Centerpieces: Use your recycling for vases, glass bottles or jars from things such as wine, juice, and salsa to make perfect vases or candle-holders with the labels removed. Cans from soup or vegetables can be painted or covered with cloth and filled with flowers or potted plants. Think outside the box for centerpieces, flowers are great but also fruit, candy, rocks, even branches put in a vase can be an interesting decorative centerpiece.

Speaking of flowers: look around your garden; pick wild flowers even some weeds can be quite lovely in a garden setting. Split a grocery store bouquet of daisies into multiple small vases – you will be surprised how far one bunch of flowers can get you! Or try the “less is more” approach of just floating one larger bud like a mum, sunflower, Gerber daisy or a rose.

Table Coverings: don’t all have to match. Use what you have, pick up plastic ones if you want particular colors, shop thrift stores and get creative with multiple fabrics, burlap is really popular lately and inexpensive lace from a fabric store can add a simple upscale look. You can also let colored napkins to sit under centerpieces for an extra splash of color or incorporate a few mixed table runners made of cut fabric for interest.

Outdoor lighting can often do double duty to help keep the bugs away as well. Citronella candles and garden torches lining the premise of your party add a nice glow and keep away the bugs; be cautious of using citronella around food as the sent can be strong and overpower food. Break out the Christmas lights and string a few strands on a nearby tree or bushes. As the sun goes down these will keep the mood fun.

Finish it up by streaming in or creating a mixed playlist of some soft music that fits the theme or mood of the event and you are ready to party in style! What is your favorite way to add interest to your party space?

Pick up your copy of The Pretty Plate for more simple techniques and recipes, and learn about the five elements to make your everyday meals magnificent.