| OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING MADE EASY |
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As the weather warms up and your parties move outdoors, try these simple ideas. |
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Transform the Ordinary
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Think of your guests when choosing the menu. You will want to have a least a couple of different kinds of meats, as everyone attending may not like a certain kind. It is usually safe to go with pork, sausage, hamburgers, and chicken. If smaller children are going to be in attendance, you should consider child friendly foods such as our Angus Beef Sliders and All Beef Hot Dogs.
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Create a special atmosphere with lights. Be creative by mixing up the sizes and shapes of candles, spreading them throughout your space. Also consider adding lanterns and strings of holiday lights. |
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Centerpieces can be as simple as small containers of Gerbera daisies or flowers from your garden, along with greenery, or even bowls of summer fruit or veggies. |
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To help keep mosquitos away, use citronella torches and candles. |
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Mix indoor dining chairs with outdoor ones as the length of your guest list grows. Draped throws on the backs of dining chairs offer warmth-as-needed for guests - and another punch of color. |
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Summer outoor entertaining doesn't have to mean paper plates and plastic tablecloths and glasses. Check out bright acrylics or explore flea markets and garage sales for inexpensive yet stylish dinnerware options such as spatterware or funky aluminum camping pieces. |
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Choose music that will be entertaining and pleasant, not too loud or overwhelming. Ask guests to bring their favourite CD's. |
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Help company stay comfortable outdoors all day - and into the night. Leave out amenities like sunblock, bug spray, hand wipes, and, if it might turn chilly, light blankets. |
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Inspire your Buffet
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Keep aluminum foil and plenty of clean plates handy grillside. When the meat is ready, place it on the plates and create a foil tent to keep it hot if you won't be serving it immediately. Remember, the meat will continue to cook for a minute or two, so consider this when factoring in the grill time. |
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Have a working meat thermometer on hand so you don’t have to guess on grilling time. |
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Nothing gets a party going like some friendly competition. If you have the yard space, games like bocce and croquet are becoming popular again. Or put up a volleyball or badminton net. If you are limited on green space, just set out a deck of cards and a few board games. |
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And don't forget the kids! If you have children coming, make sure they stay entertained. Find a large plastic tub or basket and fill it with outdoor toys like sidewalk chalk, bubbles, a bat and ball, jump ropes... whatever. Just think twice before setting out those water guns! |
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Set out several trash cans for easy clean up.
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