Easy Outdoor Entertaining Tips
Whether you’re warming up by the fire-pit or firing up the grill, outdoor entertaining can last all-year-long. At some point or another, we’ve all (accidentally) promised to host a backyard get-together. Worried that you might be in over your head? Outdoor entertaining can be simple if you’re equipped with enough food, the right tunes, and a mess-free setup. Here are the entertaining tips you need to make your next outdoor get-together a success.
Food
When it comes to get-togethers, food is the star of the show. It’s the time when grill-masters can finally show off their skills and dessert-makers can let their creativity run wild. Whether you prefer a rack of spare ribs or an old-fashioned hot dog, make sure you buy enough. If your grilling skills are truly top-notch, your guests might be coming back for seconds. Don’t skimp on the sauces, either. Barbecue sauce, ketchup, and ranch are only a few of the accessories that can make or break your dish.
Besides the meat, be sure to also make use of mother nature’s freshest vegetables by cooking with those that are in-season. From cucumber and corn in the summer to Brussel sprouts and carrots in the winter, options are endless. If you think that’s exciting, wait until you see all the in-season fruits you can use for an after-dinner treat. Think date-sweetened brownies in the fall and apricot crisps in the spring. It’s nearly impossible to choose just one. The only question left to ask is whether you’ll top the melt-in-your-mouth treat with vanilla ice cream or salted caramel.
Setup
Food can be messy but clean up can be a breeze if you’re prepared. If you’ve ever eaten chicken wings, you know that more sauce ends up on your table and face than in your mouth. Save your fancy linen tablecloth for another day and invest in a disposable one instead. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to look like your typical red and white checkered picnic blanket either. Keep it simple with a solid colored tablecloth or choose a fun design to liven up your outdoor decor.
Another easy way to make clean up a breeze is to serve food buffet style. Lay foods out in aluminum pans that can be tossed when the night is over. If you plan on leaving food outside for a few hours, you can even purchase extra attachments to keep the food warm. Best of all, these pans can be used to cook food directly on the grill saving you even more time scrubbing the grill down after your guests leave.
Music
You picked up your food, set up the backyard, but something is still missing – music. From the Beach Boys to Queen, make sure you choose a soundtrack to your barbecue. Choose a playlist from favorite your music streaming service or create your own. For uninterrupted play time, make sure you’re set up with a high-speed internet service that can meet your streaming needs. With the right home internet service, you can stream 100 tunes in three seconds. Now you can keep the good times going all night (until you run out of food, of course).
Make the most of your outdoor space by starting up the grill and fire-pit and inviting your friends and family over for an over-due hurrah. As long as you have your food, music, and basic accessories, you’re good to go.
About the Author: Jennifer Thayer is a technology writer from Southern California. She is passionate about exploring new ways technology can be used to make day-to-day tasks easier. Follow her on Twitter.
