Paper lanterns provide festive lighting for an outdoor party.
The warm air, clear skies and relaxing feeling of summer make this the perfect season for hosting outdoor get-togethers. While a lush green lawn and bright seasonal flowers can provide a stunning backdrop for your event, a bit of additional decorating will help pull your backyard party together. You can decorate for an outdoor party with bright bouquets, colorful linens and a few amenities to ward off unwelcome guests such as bugs and mosquitoes. Add an entertaining theme and you'll have a memorable summer event. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Give your party a theme, such as a luau, country barbecue, garden tea party or pool party. You can also center your theme around a color scheme, particular type of flower or holiday.
2. Set up tables and chairs for your meal. Drape colorful shawls or blankets over the backs of casual lawn chairs to dress them up for the party. Come nightfall, guests can use the wraps to ward off chilly evening air. Place outdoor cushions or large picnic blankets anchored with rocks out in the grass so guests can lounge.
3. Place tablecloths over the tables and anchor the corners with tablecloth clips to keep them from blowing away on a breezy summer day. Coordinate the colors with your overall theme. Consider a red-and-white plaid for a country theme or a delicate floral pattern for a garden party.
4. Roll napkins up and secure them with beaded bracelets, colorful ribbons or raffia. Tuck a flower into each napkin ring. Place these at each place setting or in a basket at the end of the buffet table.
5. Place decorative baskets around the yard filled with summer party essentials, such as sunblock, bug spray and towels (if there's a swimming pool).
6. Arrange citronella candles around the yard to ward off bugs. Plastic or tin beach buckets weighed down with sand make simple and convenient candle holders. Hang white Christmas lights or paper lanterns from trees and awnings for additional ambiance come dusk.
7. Place seasonal flowers in vases, small tin buckets, votive holders, pitchers or even tote bags cinched at the top and slung over a fence post. Use selections from your own garden or purchase a hardy summer variety, such as daises, from your local florist. Keep a few extra vases on hand for quick and easy presentation of any flowers your guests may bring as a gift.
Tags: around yard, from your, garden party, outdoor party, seasonal flowers