4 Tips to Entertain Outdoors this Christmas
A couple of years back, we hosted an outdoor party in our garden, preparing it much in the same way when entertaining indoors. We brought out a gorgeous floral dinner set to suit the outdoor theme, some crystal wine glasses, and prepared a crisp apple crumble in a lovely baking dish.
It was disastrous.
By the end of the party, a couple of plates and glasses were broken, and some flies had landed on the apple crumble on display outside – leaving most of it untouched. We’ve certainly learnt some hard lessons from this event!
That said, we’re happy to share the 4 tips we’ve learnt to help you entertain effortlessly outdoors this Christmas.
Tip #1: Use lightweight and hard-wearing dishes
Outdoor parties are full of movement throughout the event. Guests will be mingling around and your tableware pieces will be moving along with them. That’s why we highly recommend using only hard-wearing and lightweight pieces. They make it easy for your guests to carry around, and they will survive any accidental drops.
For instance, you can prepare and serve baked goods in Falcon’s enamelware baking set. Enamelware is a popular choice for outdoor parties and even camping thanks to its shatterproof construct. Alternatively, you could serve a refreshing garden salad in the Barel Deluxe Salad Bowl. This melamine set is BPA-free and simply perfect for outdoor parties!
Tip #2: Serve drinks in shatterproof glasses
As no party is complete without drinks, the best way to serve is in shatterproof glasses like the elegant Strahl Design & Contemporary Classic Wine Glasses! These gorgeous wine glasses are made from FDA approved polycarbonate with insulation properties to keep your wine cool for longer. Guests can enjoy a variety of wines with these all-purpose glasses at your boating or poolside parties. You won't ever have to worry about broken glasses while mingling and walking around with bare feet, especially when children are present!
Juices, tea, and coffee can be served hot or cold in the Bodum Pavina Outdoor Tumblers. These double-walled and heat resistant glasses allow your guests to drink in comfort without condensation or heat on its exterior. Its durable and BPA-free Tritan construct makes these glasses shatterproof, perfect for outdoor drinking.
Tip #3: Prepare a drink dispenser
Unless you’ve hired a caterer with a fleet of servers, we highly recommend serving drinks in a dispenser. This makes it easy for guests to help themselves and save yourself from running back and forth to the fridge or esky to top up with cold bottles. Simply fill your dispenser with ice and a refreshing homemade cocktail (or mock-tail) to last the whole event.
We opted for the Kilner Stackable Drinks Dispenser from as we could fill it up with two types of drinks. Its clear design and elegant stand makes it suitable for garden parties and backyard barbecues. Fill the top dispenser with fruit infused water, and the lower one with a refreshing cocktail to enjoy a beautiful drink display.
Tip #4: Keep the flies away!
With delicious dishes on display at your party, you may be visited by a few unwanted guests. The best way to keep them at bay is to protect your food with a food cover. We found that the Amalfi Alari Palm Food Cover works incredibly well at protecting our dishes while looking lovely on the buffet table. Its mesh construct also allows your guests a clear view, so no dishes will be missed out.
If you’d like to quickly get rid of pesky flies, then swat them away in style with the Peleg Design Fly Sword Swatter. This fly swatter is designed just like a sword, adding a touch of humour to your outdoor party while serving as an incredibly handy tool.
Do you have any tips of your own on entertaining outdoors? Share it with us at the comment box below!