These must-have outdoor party essentials will ensure that you enjoy your warm-weather gatherings. The outdoor party checklist includes eight necessary items that will help you cover it all. This post is all about outdoor party essentials.
Planning a party can be stressful at times. Nonetheless, with this list of outdoor entertaining tips, you will surely feel confident the day of your event.
Covering all areas of concern, follow this checklist for your perfect backyard party setup. Furthermore, with this list of outdoor entertaining essentials, your guests will truly enjoy their experience and feel welcomed from the start.
This post is all about outdoor party essentials.
Table of Contents
Outdoor Party Essentials
Seating Options
Before I go onto ask this seating question, I am imagining this outdoor party to be a gathering where people are socializing, eating, and playing games. Nonetheless, they are not necessarily doing all of these activities at the same time.
So with that being said, recall all of the best outdoor party experiences you’ve had. Can you remember the seating arrangements at these parties?
For most of you, you probably don’t remember sitting that much at any of your favorite get togethers.
With this memory, remember not to panic if you don’t have a seat for every single person you invited because you don’t want everyone sitting at the same time.
Of course, you want everyone to be comfortable and have the chance to sit and socialize, but you also want people to mingle.
Nevertheless, select seating options that involve perhaps a few high tables, a conversation furniture set, a few Adirondack chairs, a seated fire pit area, etc.
With these various types of seating arrangements, guests will move around more often and meet new people, and ultimately this will be their new favorite party memory. (similar to the ones you recalled earlier)
For more outdoor furniture options, check out this post that gives you plenty of budget-friendly patio options and seating areas.
Background Music
So this may be where you really find a road block. Yes, music can be hard to select for an outdoor gathering.
A rule of thumb is to stick to classic hits. In essence, this may seem boring, but older classics are easily going to set the tone for a welcoming environment. Plus, you are sure to appeal to more people with these types of music selections.
Now, the next issue with music would be how in the world are you going to make sure that it is loud enough for your guest but not for your neighbors.
For this sound level and music choice, I would try to go with a Bluetooth speaker and Amazon Music. For example, I love my Smart Speaker with Alexa. This is surely going to be loud enough for an outdoor space, but it isn’t going to upset your neighbors either.
Backyard Bug Repellent
For me, this is a huge concern. Honestly, I get attacked by mosquitos. In fact, I can be standing next to my husband and have seven bites within moments, and he is unharmed. It really is crazy. Nonetheless, with this worry, I like to think of bug repellent as a top priority for an outdoor event.
If you are going to have party decor, I would suggest that fresh lavender be a part of your centerpieces and such. This would the first layer of protection as the lavender is a natural bug repellent.
Then, you could also set up a few Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Patio Shield Lanterns as well. These little lanterns are very powerful and really do eliminate these pesky buggers.
Of course, I would go a step further and have a few bottles of bug spray available. My personal favorite, (yes, I have tried them all) is actually for kids, Babyganics Natural Bug Spray. It works and it has a more pleasant smell compared to most chemically saturated options.
Ultimately, you can’t guarantee a bug-free environment, but with these precautions in place, you will certainly lessen the chances.
Climate Control
Of course, you can’t air condition your backyard, but you can do a little bit of climate control for your guests.
If you are looking to keep your guests cool, make sure you have a shaded option so that people can take a break from the direct sunlight. In this post, I feature a few pavilion options that are below two hundred dollars.
Also, you could have a few hand fans out as well. Also, this fan is battery-operated and would work for an outdoor space.
Above all, don’t stress too much about this essential as anything you do is better than nothing. People will truly appreciate that you thought of their cool comfort.
Party Lighting Decor
For most warm-weather parties, you are going to have plenty of sunlight until later in the evening. However, you will want to make sure that your walkways and pathways are lighted. For a cost-effective solution, these pathway lights are twenty-three dollars for a pack of twelve lights.
Also, for a solar-powered lantern option, I absolutely love these lanterns from Kohl’s. I love the look of a lantern outside; it just sets the tone of the evening.
Also, for other lighting options check out this summer decor post as well.
Organized Buffet Dinner Menu Ideas
Double-Check for Food Allergies
First and foremost, you should ask your guests if they have food allergies before you begin the food planning process.
My daughter Sadie, fortunately, grew out of her peanut allergy, but she is still allergic to eggs, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate when people ask what Sadie can eat at their parties. It is so nice to know that people still want her to eat something they prepared and that they are willing to make changes accordingly.
Food Options Are Key
So back to that question of what can you recall about your favorite parties. For me, it was the various food options. I love when a party has some kind of food station setup. In fact, this doesn’t have to be that difficult to do.
For example, you could do different types of food combos in the same buffet style. Moreover, you would just designate zones for various food categories.
Of course, I am writing this on a full stomach, and yet, I am still drooling over the thought of a nacho bar area, a mini burger bar with various condiment options, a dip fest area filled with crackers, chips, and pretzels, and an array of dips, a s’more smorgasbord of various chocolate bars, graham crackers, and marshmallows, etc.
By the way, s’mores are even better with Reese’s peanut butter cups melted on the graham cracker with the marshmallow. Yes, I went there! Delish!
One last thing, once the food is out, you have to remember people are more likely going to be grazing throughout the event. With that being said, try out these food covers to save the food from being swarmed with bugs.
Overall, whatever food options you select your guests will appreciate that you took time planning out the menu, and they will surely love your selections.
Recycling & Garbage Organization
For an easier post-party clean-up process, make sure to put out a recycling and garbage bin in view for guests to easily toss their items after eating.
This simple essential will make your life so much easier. Plus, you will surely recycle more when the bin is out and easily accessible.
Hand Sanitizer & First Aid Kit
On the buffet table, be sure to set out hand sanitizer for your guests. You could use a larger container of hand sanitizer, or you could also set smaller bottles for guests to keep as well. Either way, you are covering your bases for good hand hygiene.
Additionally, just in case of an injury always have a first aid kit handy as well as Benadryl. From my experiences with Sadie’s food allergies, Benadryl is certainly a must in case a guest does have a reaction from the food or perhaps that lone mosquito who got through the layers of bug repellent.
Let’s Get the Party Started
Now that all of your outdoor party essentials are in place, you are ready to start the party off right.
Your guests are sure to enjoy the get together, and it will be one that they will never forget.
This post is all about outdoor party essentials.
& Remember
Start with the Bed,
Juliet
