24 Tips for Easy Outdoor Entertaining

Throwing an outdoor party that's fun, festive, and filled with food, drink and conversation isn't as easy as simply taking your indoor party to the patio. Lean into the spirit of the season with these great ideas that are perfect for outdoor entertaining. The best part—each tip is made to make your life easier, so you can kick back and enjoy with your guests.

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Focus on Comfy Seating

Minh + Wass

Thick, comfortable cushions on the chairs will encourage guests to linger at the table.

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Serve Weather-Proof Snacks

Blue Diamond Almonds

Set out crowd-pleasing snacks like Blue Diamond Crafted Gourmet Almonds at the beginning of the party, so guests can nibble when they get there—and all day long.

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Get Creative With Disposables

Marcus Nilsson

Lay brown craft paper across a table for a casually finished look―and super-easy cleanup.

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Don’t Stress About Matched Sets

Minh + Wass

Don’t get overly fussy with china: An eclectic mix feels more laid-back.

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Define Your “Outdoor Room”

Richard Felber

An umbrella not only has the obvious task of providing shade, it also helps define your outdoor dining room.

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Serve Seasonal Classics

Family eating dinner on a picnic table in the countryside

Elizabeth Zeschin

Keep food simple for a backyard picnic: salads, fresh fruit, cold drinks.

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Work With the Weather

Summer outdoor dining table with all-plastic setup

Deborah Jaffe

Make wind less of an issue by skipping a tablecloth. Weight dishes―and greet guests―with small bowls of fresh fruit.

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Repurpose Indoor Furniture

Jonny Valiant

Here, a cot covered with pillows becomes a settee.

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Encourage Mingling

Miki Duisterhof

Set up tables in separate areas―say, drinks in one spot, dessert in another―to encourage guests to roam.

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Create a Mobile Drinks Station

Jonny Valiant

Stock a bar cart with essentials: glasses, plates, ice, a cocktail shaker, and swizzle sticks. Wheel it back to the kitchen if you run low.

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Choose Unfussy Centerpieces

James Baigrie

Floating peonies and gardenias make a pretty centerpiece. Just pour water into a large serving platter, and trim the stems off each flower.

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Keep Cold Foods Cold

Rob Howard

To keep dairy-based dips chilled, fill a large bowl with ice, and sprinkle it with kosher salt. Place the dip bowl on top.

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Find New Uses for Old Things

Miki Duisterhof

Keep bugs away from food with an upended wire-mesh colander. Use ice-pop sticks to distinguish the rare burgers from the well-done.

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Lean on Nature for Supplies

Table setting with food outdoors at sunset

Amy Neunsinger

Not enough seating to go around? Even tree stumps will do just fine.

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Encourage Guests to Serve Themselves

John Kernick

Set up a lemonade stand to keep guests hydrated on hot afternoons. Place glasses within easy reach on a dessert stand.

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Get Inspired By the Shore

John Kernick

Seashells lend a seaside vibe Tie a starfish to a basic napkin ring for a beachy feel.

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Borrow From Your Garden

James Baigrie

Fill colorful pails with straight-from-the-garden sunflowers.

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Keep Things Cool

Rob Howard

Steamy night? Keep guests plied with simple fare like sparkling drinks and savory bites.

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Set the Mood

Pink lanterns in an evening garden dinner

Michele Gastil

Paper lanterns draped from tree limbs are charmingly festive (use dark extension cords that blend in). Repurposed white Christmas lights also provide a magical twinkle effect.

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Keep Bugs Off the Guest List

Michele Gastil

Circle your party area with citronella candles or incense sticks to light when night falls.

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Create a Faux Glow

Backyard lit with battery-powered lights

Beatriz Da Costa

Battery-operated flameless candles give off the same warm glow as traditional candles, with no fear of wind, fire hazard, or spilled wax.

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Use Overhead Lighting

Minh + Wass

Wrap a vintage chandelier with fairy lights for a romantic vibe.

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Gather Round the Fire

Jonn Coolidge

A fire pit is a must for s’mores and stories.

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Create Different Seating Areas

Minh & Wass

Pull out the sturdy wicker armchairs, perfect for lolling in on a lazy summer night.

Replay gallery

24 Tips for Easy Outdoor Entertaining

1 of 25

Focus on Comfy Seating

2 of 25

Serve Weather-Proof Snacks

3 of 25

Get Creative With Disposables

4 of 25

Don’t Stress About Matched Sets

5 of 25

Define Your “Outdoor Room”

6 of 25

Serve Seasonal Classics

7 of 25

Work With the Weather

8 of 25

Repurpose Indoor Furniture

9 of 25

Encourage Mingling

10 of 25

Create a Mobile Drinks Station

11 of 25

Choose Unfussy Centerpieces

12 of 25

Keep Cold Foods Cold

13 of 25

Find New Uses for Old Things

14 of 25

Lean on Nature for Supplies

15 of 25

Encourage Guests to Serve Themselves

16 of 25

Get Inspired By the Shore

17 of 25

Borrow From Your Garden

18 of 25

Keep Things Cool

19 of 25

Set the Mood

20 of 25

Keep Bugs Off the Guest List

21 of 25

Create a Faux Glow

22 of 25

Use Overhead Lighting

23 of 25

Gather Round the Fire

24 of 25

Create Different Seating Areas

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