Sunny days are perfect for backyard get-togethers. You can have fun planning your menu, decorating the yard with plants and lights, and creating the perfect music playlist. Following these handy steps will give you guidance on how to set up the perfect backyard gathering.
Rent Tables and Chairs
It’s important to ensure your guests are comfortable when you’re having a get-together, and unless you have plenty of patio furniture or folding chairs around, you’ll need to rent chairs and tables. Look for a business that rents, delivers, and picks up the furniture to make it easier on you. Also, consider renting cloth napkins and tablecloths for a uniform look. The rental company will launder the linens, so you won’t have to wash them.
Plan Tasty Picnic Food
Food is a major star of any backyard get-together. When planning your menu, consider dishes that are easy to prepare and present and that everyone will enjoy eating. Baked casseroles like Italian chicken and pasta are always a welcoming dish for a backyard party. Other dishes to consider include finger foods like cut vegetables with dip, a crisp green salad with a refreshing lemon vinaigrette, or smoked salmon rolls with cream cheese.
Purchase Sustainable Picnic Dishes and Flatware
You and your guests can help save the planet by using sustainable or eco-friendly plates, bowls, and flatware. You can choose from a wide selection of eco-friendly picnic supplies, including ones that are biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable. Many manufacturers of sustainable picnic supplies use nontoxic recycled materials, and some use rustic materials like banana or palm leaves.
Decorate the Yard With Lights
Make your yard a magical place with beautiful string lights, lanterns, or tiki torches, depending on the theme you’ve chosen for your get-together. You can also place solar path lights around the yard, adding to the magical effect. People will appreciate having the extra light, especially as the sun goes down and night settles in.
Stream Appropriate Party Music
Music is essential for a gathering. You can find online audio streaming services like Spotify, Pandora, or iTunes radio to play the music you want. Depending on the style of the get-together, you might have light jazz, classical, R&B, or oldies playing in the background. Keep the music low so people can talk but loud enough to keep the mood festive. If you plan on having people dance, set up a designated area away from the food table.
Have a Trash and Recycling Area
Designate an area for trash, recycling, and compost, and clearly mark each container so people can easily dispose of their picnic supplies and uneaten food. If you don’t have a compost pile or station at your home, consider hiring a company that will come and take your compostables away. In addition, you may want to consider renting high-quality portable toilets discreetly placed in the back of the yard. Having portable toilets will reduce foot traffic into your home.
Once you’ve planned your backyard get-together, decorated, and prepared the food, it’s time to greet your guests and enjoy the party. If you’ve taken the proper steps, everyone is sure to have a memorable experience and look forward to your next gathering.