How To Have A Fabulous Backyard Party That Makes The Neighbors Jealous

We are all ready for winter to be gone and summer to get here! After a cold, long, long winter, when summer does arrive, it is a time to celebrate and what better way to kick off the season than with a fabulous backyard party? Regardless whether you’ll go with an elegant outdoor affair or host a laid-back cookout, you want your backyard to be the perfect, terrific venue.  

It doesn’t matter if your backyard is a large, vast backyard, or a postage stamp, small city lot, or maybe you have only a patio, you can deck it out with twinkling lights and comfortable seating. Go with a sit-down meal all trimmed out or go buffet style with finger foods aplenty. The goal is to make everyone comfortable while there and send them home with memories.

Here are a few steps you’ll want to take to make all that come together:

1. The Basics: Plan Ahead

The first step for your fabulous summer backyard party is preparation. By getting as much done ahead of time, you’ll be able to enjoy the party too. Set the meats to marinate the day before, that way it can be put on the grill as your guest start arriving. Hors d’oeuvres and salads should be made ahead of time as well and placed in the freezer or refrigerator.

2. Clean Up and Tidy Up

If you have a lawn, get it mowed and the gardens cleaned and weeded. Repair and wash your outdoor furniture or replaced with new if they’re broken or too worn. Get the chairs and side tables set up in conversational setting that welcomes your guests as they enter.

 

3. Shoo Fly Shoo

Nothing can ruin an outdoor party faster than flies and other insects. There are several OTC solutions at your local big box hardware store, some as cheap as $5.00, that can get to work a few days before your party. And homemade solutions such as setting out some clear glasses filled with water and drop some pennies in them. Or hanging clear plastic bags filled with water about the backyard.

4. Light Up The Backyard 

For a successful party at night, lighting is key! Even if your party is scheduled for the afternoon, if you’re hosting a great party, your guest could very well still be around when the sun sets. A few strands of inexpensive lights wrapped around the deck, patio, and trees, will give your backyard a glowing ambiance.

5. Serve Yourself Setting

If you’re not going to go with the elegant styling of a sit-down meal, create a “bar-style” food bar so that your guests can create a plate filled with the things they like. This is especially a great way to go when there are small kids because mom and dad can fix a plate their picky eater.

6. Summer Tradition

No matter the style of dinner you’re serving, watermelon is a must! No summer party, regardless if it is a formal sit-down event or a buffet-style cookout, watermelon should be served. And because it can be messy, slice it up into bite size treats to make it easier and not as messy for your guests to enjoy it.

7. Spills Will Happen

When there is a gathering of people, there will be spills, especially if there are children. Keep the ants at bay by having inexpensive drink cups with lids and straws to hand out for the kids.  You’ll be surprised how many adults may opt for that too!

8. Keeping It Clean

Speaking of spills and sticky fingers, create a Clean Up Station for your guests – this will be a huge success if there are children! You can do this by setting a table to the side with a roll of paper towels and a few packages of wet wipes. Have a trash can right there and your guests will appreciate your proactive thinking.