The 4th of July has come and gone, leaving thousands of Americans hoping for another excuse to get together, cookout, and celebrate summer. Outdoor entertaining is a summertime staple, bringing friends and neighbors together for sun-filled fun. Become an outdoor entertaining expert overnight with these tips from Ace of Gray.
5 Tips for Summer Entertaining
- Whether you’re hosting a cookout, a garden party, or an elegant dinner on the porch, cleanup is key to an effortless evening. In the days leading up to your big event, make sure to mow the lawn, clean up weeds and organic debris, and hose down the patio furniture.
- Plan a few party games (cornhole is a proven winner) in case conversation starts flagging (or gets get too rambunctious).
- Set the stage. Before guests arrive, arrange the china and cutlery (personally, we prefer plastic for easy cleanup), get extra chairs out of storage, and arrange bug-repellant candles or torches around the entertaining area.
- Wow friends with garden fresh dishes. Pluck veggies from the garden for a flavorful side, cook produce-rich dishes like margherita pizza, and add a spruce of fresh mint to summer cocktails to achieve that “effortlessly elegant entertaining” aesthetic.
- Remember to have fun. All the planning in the world can still go awry if the guests sense a stressed atmosphere. Play the helpful host, but don’t be afraid to kick back and relax with your friends. In the end, people would rather hunt down a refill than spend the evening “just missing” the host.
Visit Ace of Gray to stock your outdoor living area with weather-resistant furniture, outdoor home decor, great grill gear, and party supplies.
