Now that the pandemic is nearing its end, and government restrictions are gradually being lifted, people are beginning to open up their homes once again. You can invite friends and family into your property for food, drinks, and laughter, without anxiety about being fined for breaking protocol or your neighbors judging you.
But there are still reasons to be cautious. After all, Covid-19 is still very much present in the community and will be around for some time. There is a risk that the virus could spread amongst your loved ones and cause them to get sick or have to self isolate. Hosting your gatherings outdoors is one of the best defenses in your arsenal, as it greatly reduces transmission. Not to mention the enjoyment to be gained from spending time outdoors in glorious weather.
But before you can start throwing elaborate barbecues and garden parties for your social circle, you need to ensure your backyard is suitably prepared for entertaining. To help you out, here are five great tips for hosting guests outdoors.
Clean up
An overgrown lawn covered in rusty old tools and dried up leaves doesn’t create the most welcoming atmosphere for your visitors. Before anyone sets foot on your property, you need to have a thorough spring clean to get your back yard in pristine condition and create a backyard oasis for guests. Get the lawnmower out of the garage and clear up any clutter from the ground. All it takes is a little bit of effort to make all the difference to any outdoor space, and this will set the tone for any event you may throw in the future.
Add some furniture
No one wants to be standing up all evening, so you should have plenty of furniture for your loved ones to get comfortable. Having a central seating area like a patio or fire pit creates a great focal point for any party and will give people the chance to rest tired legs and chat to others. This is especially important if there are older attendees or those who are less able-bodied. It’s also nice to have additional seating scattered throughout your garden to avoid a big crowd forming in one place and to facilitate any private conversations. This could take the form of benches, hanging chairs, sun loungers, or even carved tree stumps.
Provide food and drink
You can’t invite guests round and let them get hungry. Refreshments are an essential part of any event, and there are so many options you can choose from. It might be a barbecue, a finger-food style buffet, or even a home cooked meal served on the patio. If you have the budget for it you could order a takeaway meal or hire a catering service to feed everyone present. Just make sure you check people’s dietary requirements and ensure there is something for everyone.
Create a playlist
Any party needs music, whether it’s a huge family barbecue or a chilled social gathering. But the soundtrack you choose has a huge impact on the vibe of your party so it’s important to get it right. Take care when selecting your songs and make sure they fit the atmosphere you want to create. For a wild, party mood you want upbeat songs to reflect this nature, while for a quiet dinner with a few friends you might prefer some classical music or chilled-out indie tunes. You should refrain from indulging your more obscure music tastes and picking songs that most people know and like. Otherwise you risk putting off your guests and creating a weird vibe.
Plan some activities
Although food and drinks might be the focus point of your planned gatherings, it helps to have some additional activities at the ready as well. This way, you have a way of extending the evening without people getting bored and leaving early. The exact entertainment you choose will depend on the size of your event. For smaller groups of friends, you might want to play cards or a board game like Monopoly or Risk. Just be warned that small pieces can easily go missing in poor weather. For a larger party, you will need something that people can dip in and out of like live music or garden games such as cornhole.
By following the above tips you quickly will be able to get back into the hosting game and entertain all of your guests with ease. Just make sure to provide plenty of refreshments and activities while ensuring your outdoor space is suitable for large gatherings.
