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Tips for a great outdoor party

Summer is here and that means a seasonal "must" for Canadians - outdoor
entertaining. With so little time to enjoy warm weather, make the most of
it with the following helpful tips:

Weather - For outdoor events, always have a Plan B in mind. Where
will you go if the forecast changes with little notice? Having an
indoor alternative or some kind of shelter such as a tent is an option
that can literally save the day. If your event is being held in a public
park or conservation area, many of them allow use of picnic shelters. Remember, shelter can be for shade too, not just rain.

Insects - Some guests are welcome, these are not. It would be a
good idea to arrange to have the garden or lawn sprayed with an
environmentally friendly product before your event. Check with a
lawn care company to see how far in advance they recommend.
Citronella candles are a great option to have around the yard and
can easily be placed conveniently to help repel mosquitoes as well
as provide some extra lighting but keep them distant from the food
because of their strong fragrance.

Lighting - Aside from safety, lighting is an essential ingredient to a
great party. It is one of the most underused forms of décor for most
people yet can be an inexpensive way to achieve a mood or setting.
There is something magical about dining under the stars and almost
nothing as beautiful as the use of multiple forms of candlelight. Use
open flame carefully and keep an eye on younger children. Hang
votives from tree branches at different heights, use lanterns on tables
and hanging from trees, place torches in the garden or incorporate
tiny white mini-lights for a truly spectacular appearance. Remember
to illuminate walkways and stairs for safety.

Food & Drink - Keep cold food cold and hot food hot. Your caterer
can provide these items but there are many rental products available
for this purpose today at reasonable costs. Never use the same platter
for cooked and raw food and always discard leftovers that have
been sitting around for more than an hour or two (especially in the
heat). Depending on the theme or style of the party, use your
imagination and see things in a different way. For a fun, casual beach
party mood, fill a child's pool with ice and use that to hold soft drinks
or make use of inexpensive, colourful plastic pails. Try to locate food
and drinks under a canopy or shaded area if possible.

Safety - For outdoor parties in the daytime, keep some sunscreen and
bug repellent on hand just in case. I always have an "event kit" with
little things that I might need unexpectedly depending on the location
and type of event. In this case, items such as first aid spray, bandages,
water, aspirin or an extra hat may be useful (you'd be surprised what
comes in handy). Remind your female guests to wear comfortable
shoes outdoors or they may end up stuck in the sod with spike heels.
These little details might sound trivial but they can make a big
difference in whether or not your guests have a good time.

Themes - Here is where your party can really shine. It is always so
much fun to come up with a creative theme or mood for an event
and incorporate different aspects of that into the party. Make it a
multi-sensory experience that your guests will remember long after
it ends. Remember - the mood starts with the invitation so try to
capture the feeling right from there and always leave your guests
wanting more when the night ends.

Courtesy of Lynne Atkinson, Vision Event Management
905.796.7287
http://www.visionevents.ca/home.shtml

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