ready for summer

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.