If you feel like your entertaining ideas could use a refresh, consider hosting a casual outdoor party. Outdoor parties are the perfect way to show off your backyard, patio or other outdoor space and enjoy the company of guests at the same time.
However, outdoor or backyard parties can bring their own unique challenges to prepare for. Long before your guests arrive, consider these important things when planning your party:
Menu considerations
Entertaining at home often centers around serving food, and outdoor parties are no different - though they can have different challenges. Whether you serve all the food yourself or host a potluck, have options available for keeping dishes warm or cold outdoors. For hot food, this can be as simple as cooking in a crock pot or slow cooker.
You can also keep food warm in a cooler - just make sure it's a dedicated container for hot dishes! For cold food, a classic cooler or tray of ice will do the trick. Consider adding fun, decorative labels to easily differentiate.
Outdoor activities
What's the ideal mood for your backyard party? Think about your goals as well as your guest list. If children are coming to the party, have some games planned to keep their attention. For guests who prefer to relax and converse, have an area for quiet conversation separate from higher-energy party activities.
Seating for an outdoor party
Seating is another major factor in any party that becomes even more important when you bring the fun outdoors. Having the right outdoor furniture can not only enhance the style of your space, but impact the comfort of your guests.
Make sure to provide enough seating for everyone you invite, plus a few extra dining chairs just in case. Provide shelter from the elements and promote conversation with thoughtful furniture layouts.
Whether you're planning a pool party, picnic or a quiet night around a fire pit, these reminders should help you prepare for the best possible outdoor event.
About the Author
Rudden|Bobruska Team
Gary Rudden, Lisa Rudden, and Nick Bobruska
RUDDEN BOBRUSKA TEAM
What sets your team apart from other real estate teams?
There is no team out in the market that offers what we do. All of us are Realtors, but
we each have specialized roles, which make our team so unique!
After decades of living and selling real estate in the DMV, we have established
ourselves as one of the top real estate teams with our market expertise and
cutting-edge technology. Our savvy high-tech marketing is on every website
and social media source. We have a huge network with other top agents, which
helps to premarket homes and discover homes for buyers before they reach the
open market. Our services include professional in-house staging services, broker
expertise in negotiating and navigating contracts, and buyer representation in all
price ranges. Each client has different needs and we create a marketing plan based
on those needs.
Our most distinct feature is our in-house construction and renovation team. We
are literally a full-service, one-stop shop when selling or buying a home!
How does the in-house construction and renovation team work?
All work is managed and completed through our licensed and bonded construction
crew. No need to call outside contractors. We are like “HGTV,” but we just don’t
have a show! Whether it’s a small makeover or a major renovation, we do it all. Our
sellers love this aspect of our team because we make preparing your home for the
market so seamless. Our buyers love the advice and insight we can give for future
renovations and repairs.
Having a licensed Maryland Home Improvement contractor as part of our team
along with the knowledge, experience, commitment and services that we offer, truly
puts our team as a vanguard in the real estate industry.