How To Entertain Outdoors This Fall
Fall is here and we have had a few months of getting used to socially distanced get-togethers. Today we have some fun ideas for entertaining outdoors on your patio this fall so you can continue to see your friends and family without taking risks during the pandemic.
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It's been a long year, it feels like a lifetime ago that we were welcoming friends and family into our homes to socialize over food and drinks. Life has changed forever, and now we are all learning how to adapt. Because our family has members who are considered high-risk, we know it will probably be a very long time until we are ready to have people indoors.
But how do we get to see our friends and family? Are holidays over for us?
With a few easy to manage tasks and rules in place, we have discovered that socially distant dinner parties are still fun and we have a few tips for keeping up the fun into the fall.
Make easy cocktails without hiring a bartender
Our friends love that we always have the latest gadgets. One of our new favorites is the DrinksWorks
Our guests can choose their own drink pods, toss them into the machine and in seconds they have a cold, fizzy, delicious cocktail. This new beverage machine allows you to make the classics like old-fashions and even margaritas or new favorites like the Basil Tom Collins!
Offer your guests, cozy throws to wrap up in.
I always have a few cozy lap blankets available to offer to my guests for those chilly nights. Then at the end of the evening, I bring out a wicker basket for everyone leave their blankets in and the next morning they are all tossed into the washing machine. I like the smaller size lap blankets that are comfortable to wrap up in around the fire but cheap enough I don't mind if they are accidently stained.
Let's stay in and go to the movies outdoors!
I'm pretty sure it will be a looooonnng time before I step foot in a movie theater again. But I love the experience of going to the movies.
We purchased a video projector that we can play off of our laptops and great outdoor speakers for that movie theater sound.
Create calming outdoor living spaces
Being social doesn't mean you need to party all night. Why not invite a couple friends over to enjoy some peaceful quiet conversation instead?
Find a space outdoors to create a place where you can meditate on your own, relax with your partner, and even share with a couple friends. A cozy shaded corner of the yard can be cleared away to tuck a couple comfortable chairs, small table, and some candles for a lovely fall space. At night light it up with some small twinkle fairy lights, some gentle music, and relaxing decaf tea.
We suggest planting marigolds, lemongrass, basil, and citronella in this space to keep the bugs at bay.
Don't forget to think of the little things when entertaining outdoors
I love early fall and watching the sun set over the fields. But what I don't love is that being outdoors also comes with some annoyances like mosquitos, flies, and yellow jackets.
Burning citronella candles will help keep the gnats and bugs away.
So when you are bringing the party outside, make sure you help your guests to keep the bugs off too. I love this idea from StyleMePretty for a cute way to offer insect repellant to your friends. Isn't this adorable?
Let's stay in and go to the movies outdoors!
I'm pretty sure it will be a looooonnng time before I step foot in a movie theater again. But I love the experience of going to the movies.
We purchased a video projector that we can play off of our laptops and great outdoor speakers for that movie theater sound.
Campfires and S'mores!
My family loves cooking marshmallows over a wood fire bonfire. We got the new Solo Stove so we can sit out under the stars and make s'mores late into the evening. It puts out a lot of heat and light, so it's perfect for fall evenings.
I love that the Solo Stove actually wicks away the smoke, so you don't carry the smell with you when you leave the campfire.
Have a socially distanced picnic
There is something special about spreading out a picnic blanket, laying out your picnic basket full of yummy food, and spending time under the big open skies. These days we have the opportunity to bring back some of those long-forgotten activities. Meeting someone outside of your COVID bubble? You can mark out a safe distance between blankets!
We know this time requires a little more creativity. But we know you can do it. We will keep collecting ideas to share with you. If you have something that you think is a great way to spend more time entertaining outdoors, we would love to hear it!
Be safe everyone and remember to wear your masks and save lives.
