Member Rating:
Backyard Entertaining
Host an outdoor get-together that’s stylish — and affordable too.
Throwing a great party in your backyard doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. These pointers from caterer Denise Vivaldo, author of Do It for Less! Parties: Tricks of the Trade from Professional Caterers’ Kitchens (Terrace Publishing, 2005), can be used for everything from a simple patio party to a big graduation blowout.
Go faux. Reusable plastic plates that look like china create a special feel. They add a bit of elegance to the occasion and don’t break as easily as the real thing.
Use what you’ve got. Renting chairs and tables can be costly. “Don’t be afraid to mix and match,” says Vivaldo. If you only have six folding chairs, ask neighbors and friends if you can borrow theirs.
Cook for your audience. If you’re arranging a graduation party, that means a mixture of guests — everyone from 85-year-old Grandma to the 18-year-old graduates. Serve up barbecued chicken, a big bowl of potato salad and green salad, all of which are cookout staples and can be bought in bulk. On party day, reheat the chicken on the grill for 10 to 15 minutes, throw on some hotdogs for the younger set and wash it all down with pitchers of lemonade or beer.
Keep it simple. “If you’re not a confident cook, make two to three delicious desserts, then order pizza from the best joint in town,” says Vivaldo.
Make it sweet. If your chef — or budget — is not up to serving dinner, try a dessert buffet. Vivaldo puts out homemade brownies alongside store-bought pie and a pound cake drizzled with her own caramel sauce.
Feel free to improvise. “Once, I made a chocolate mousse that melted,” says Vivaldo. Instead of melting down herself, she came up with a brilliant solution: “I scooped it and served it in champagne glasses. The guests thought it was a creative presentation.”
Embrace the elements. You never know when the rain clouds are going to roll in. Rather than springing for a costly tent, consider investing in a pop-up tent, says Vivaldo, who lives in California, and adds that heat is often a factor at her events. These inexpensive shelters provide a welcome respite from the sweltering sun. To add extra flair, decorate with ribbons and a colorful paper tablecloth.
Relax and enjoy yourself. “People put ridiculous expectations on themselves,” says Vivaldo. “Remember, most people are just excited to be invited to your home.”
Rate this article:
Post a Tip or Comment
SHARE
I like the mousse-in-champagne glasses idea! I think I might have to keep that in mind for my mom's birthday.
Beads, bands, jugglers, mimes, magicians and a buffet are all fun things that the guests can wear and do.