Guests can build their own shish kebabs.
Outdoor party season begins with the first warm days of spring. Don't just be content to merely attend parties this year; hold your own outdoor get-together. Your party can be as simple as having a few friends over for a cookout or as elegant as a garden cocktail party. The possibilities are limited only by your space and the budget. Does this Spark an idea?
Theme
Throw a simple backyard barbecue or plan a theme party. Examples of themes that lend themselves well to backyard get-togethers are Polynesian luaus, a garden party, an English tea or an evening under the stars. Themes aren't necessary, but they distinguish your party from the other backyard get-togethers that your guests attend throughout the year, and they add an element of novelty. Themes work especially well if your guests are close friends or share your sense of fun.
Organizing Seating
Outdoor parties work only if you have adequate seating. Bring indoor furniture outside or rent tables and chairs. If the guests can't sit, they won't be comfortable, especially if they are forced to stand while they eat. Place tablecloths over the tables and slipcovers over the chairs to give a varied collection of furniture a uniform look. You can purchase plastic-coated tablecloths or inexpensive slipcovers at your local discount or party store.
Menus
Plan a menu that lends itself to outdoor eating, fits the needs of your guests, works with your budget and complements the theme of your party. If you plan an outdoor luncheon with an English tea theme, for example, serve the guests traditional fare such as cucumber or watercress sandwiches. For a luau, serve grilled pork with pineapple slices. If your get-together doesn't have a theme, you can still make the event memorable by serving a more interactive meal such as a build-your-own fajita or kebab bar or by preparing and serving a roast pig.
Invitations
The invitations should be as fun as your get-together. Get creative and make your own invitations instead of having them printed. Press flowers and glue them onto card stock for a high tea or roll the invitations into tubes and tie them with strips of bandannas for a down-home look that is perfect for a barbecue. Alternately, get even more creative with your invitations by taping the invitation to a small gift that fits the theme, such as a pinwheel for a picnic theme or a champagne glass for a garden party.
Tags: your guests, backyard get-togethers, garden party, with your, your get-together, your invitations