There is still plenty of summer left for outdoor entertaining! Make sure you’re prepared by following these entertaining tips and ideas!
PREP YOUR YARD Get it clean and in order the day before; mow the grass and free it of debris, toys and tools.
CLEAN INSIDE Don’t overlook spaces where guests may be – entry way, kitchen and bathrooms.
DECORATE WITH FRESH FLOWERS Decorating is so easy this time of year! Use cuttings from your yard. Arrange flowers and greenery in jars, cans and vases you have around the house.
SEATING Have plenty of seating for your guests. Short on chairs? Either use chairs from inside your home, or spread blankets on the grass.
MUSIC Choose music appropriate for your guests, creating an entertaining and pleasant background. Don’t play it too loud.
OUTDOOR LIGHTING Create atmosphere with lighting. Mix up sizes and shapes of candles, spreading them throughout your space. Use string lights and lanterns for a great effect!
GRILL STATION Make sure the grill is clean and ready to fire up with enough fuel. Have a meat thermometer handy to take the guess work out of grilling. Have plenty of aluminum foil and clean plates handy beside the grill. When the meat is ready, place it on plates and create a foil tent to keep it hot if you won’t be serving immediately. The meat will continue cooking after you have removed it from the grill, so consider that in your grill time.
FOOD Think of your guests when choosing the menu, considering allergies or dietary preferences.
Provide a good assortment in your menu, but don’t let the preparation make you crazy! Provide a
Harding’s Shrimp Tray
mixture of home-made dishes and already prepared dishes. Prepare as many foods in advance as possible. You can also try a potluck party which lightens the load on the host and is a fun way to try new dishes. Or, let Harding’s Deli do the cooking! Did you know you can order party platters online?
HEALTHY SIDE DISHES Grilled veggies are a tasty, easy and healthy accompaniment to almost any dish. Skewering makes them super simple and festive. Skewer ahead of time (or let guests skewer their own); rotate the veggies once using tongs. They cook in minutes!
PEST CONTROL Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your party! Include citronella candles with the rest of your lighting scheme. Have repellent handy for your guests to use as needed.
ENTERTAINMENT Yard games such as croquet, badminton or bocce add a fun element to any party!
PULL IN FRIENDS FOR HELP Ask a couple of friends to arrive early to help with pre-party preparation. Turn up the music and make it fun! Once the set up is done, relax and have fun!
Want to let us help with your party event? Order your party trays online and have them ready for pick up at your Harding’s in 36 hours! http://hardings.shoptocook.com/store/