Entertaining Essentials That Are A Must For Your Outdoor Space

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If you have a spacious backyard and want to show off your incredible BBQ grilling skills, an outdoor party might be the ideal event to host. However, things can quickly go south if you don't plan ahead. So, be sure to gather a few entertaining essentials to ensure your guests have everything they need and your party is a resounding success. But it isn't as simple as setting a table or getting items you see on everyone's social media (charcuterie boards and abstract statues, anyone?). You need to be proactive and consider the type of party you're throwing, the season, and the age of your guests.

For instance, portable cooling fans are a must if you're hosting a party in the middle of summer, otherwise you risk sweaty guests keen on escaping the heat and moving the fun indoors, despite the pergola covers blocking the worst of the sun's glare. Similarly, throw blankets are vital for events during fall and winter. Outdoor games are a plus when hosting a birthday party for your kids to keep them from getting bored. In case you're planning a party soon and aren't sure if you have everything you (and your guests) will need, here are a few must-have entertaining essentials for your outdoor space.

A fire pit is the mainstay for any outdoor gathering once the sun goes down. They make for statement pieces in your backyard and help ward off the evening chill. Moreover, they cultivate a warm and cozy atmosphere, putting everyone at ease and providing a place for guests to hang out. It also protects against bugs and offers light once dusk sets in. The best part, though? These pits are perfect for grilling s'mores, so ensure you have a fire pit for evening events.

If you have one already, clean your outdoor fire pit to make it look its best before the guests arrive. Or spring for a stone, metal, or brick fire pit, depending on your needs and budget. Don't forget to consider the pit's fuel requirement. The major types are propane, wood-burning, natural gas, and gel fire pits. If you need a portable pit that doesn't burn a hole in your pocket, check out this $80 Cogesu 22-inch foldable wood burning fire pit on Amazon. If you're concerned about the pit's safety, consider buying this $26 heat-resistant Sempoda fire pit mat from Amazon. However, if none of these options seems appealing, create a DIY fire pit in your yard with stone, bricks, or rocks. You'll also need a shovel, rubber mallet, level, fire pit ring, concrete glue, tamper, and stone pack.

Seating options are a must to create a welcoming atmosphere, but just any chair or seat won't do. The furniture must be comfortable, or your guests will be forced to remain standing (or flee the party early). Similarly, it's crucial to have adequate seating options for the guests you're expecting. It's always best to have one or two extra chairs in case you need them later.

However, just setting out the required furniture won't be enough; their setup is equally important. For example, if you're expecting 10 adult guests and five kids, it's best to set up a section for dining, another for adults to catch up, and a nearby section for children to enjoy themselves. Remember, the organization and sections will depend on the number of guests you're expecting and the space you have. If you're planning a cozy, romantic date with your partner, an intimate dining section will work wonders.

But, don't be stressed about the seating options if you don't have dedicated lawn or patio furniture. You can confidently use indoor furniture. An eclectic mix of relaxing sofas, thick cushions, playful hammocks, and foldable chairs all work as long as you organize and group them strategically. Just ensure they can withstand the natural elements without getting permanently damaged. Also, don't leave out the furniture for long to avoid turning the grass brown.

While you might want to set the table with your fancy tableware and gorgeous drinking glasses, resist the temptation, especially if you have kids attending the gathering. Your expensive china (or glass) won't survive an accidental meeting with the floor. Plus, if you don't have enough sets for all the guests, you'll have to spring for a bigger set and needlessly spend money. This doesn't mean you should downgrade to cheap paper tableware or plastic glasses, though. Since you don't want to increase plastic waste in the oceans or landfills, strike a balance between the two and go with compostable tableware. They can be put into the compost bin, and you won't have to deal with a ton of dishes after the guests leave. Win-win! As for the glasses, go with acrylic drinking glasses. They're sturdy, durable, reusable, and look better than plastic.

For the plates, we like Ecovita's 9-inch 150-plate pack. Since it's made of bagasse and bamboo paper, it's 100% compostable. It's budget-friendly, too, and will only cost $38 on Amazon. In a similar vein, Bioocean's compostable 150-count cutlery set costs about $20. As for the glasses, consider Zeayea's BPA-free 14-ounce 6-glass acrylic set. They can be hand-washed or stacked in the dishwasher and cost around $18.

Ice buckets used to be an integral part of outdoor gatherings, but they've since been replaced by portable cooler carts. They've been gaining traction primarily because they make storing and dispensing bottled and canned drinks easier, especially if you have a lot of guests over. Moreover, these carts are insulated, ensuring the ice doesn't melt under the sun's unrelenting glare. To ascertain you get the most out of your cooler cart, choose one after considering a few important factors.

Check the cart's weight capacity. This will determine the amount of bottles, cans, and ice the cart can hold. Next, find out how long it can keep the drinks cool. The longer the duration, the better. If a cart can keep drinks chilled for up to 36 hours, you can stock the bottles and cans the day before the event and have one less thing to worry about. Regular and locking casters are important to move or keep the cart steady. You also want to check the number and diameter of the wheels, as it'll impact the cart's rolling. Additionally, check if they'll be compatible with the rough flooring of your yard. The cart should be made of durable materials like stainless steel. Plus, it'll be incredibly convenient if it's outfitted with a bottle opener and cap catcher and is easy to clean and maintain. Keeping these factors in mind, you can get Sealamb's 80-quart rolling cooler cart for under $100 from Amazon.

Lighting is vital when a party starts (or doesn't stop) after the sun goes down to illuminate the space and avoid tripping accidents. Since there's a lack of ceiling in the backyard (unless you have a contemporary patio with the bells and whistles), traditional lighting fixtures aren't a convenient option. This is where string and fairy lights come in. You can drape these around the patio umbrella, pergola (if you have one), deck, nearby tree or bush, and other tall fixtures. These lights don't just illuminate the space; they'll also add a touch of whimsy and create a warm environment. Flameless candles are good for the table. Solar-powered lanterns and path lights are a great option if your yard is large and you'd rather light up the walkways for your guests.

Keep a few things in mind while buying lights for your backyard. For starters, ensure the lights are water- and shatter-proof. They should also be able to withstand strong winds and light rain. Consider the light's durability and maintenance needs, too. LEDs are quite durable, efficient, and require minimal maintenance. Finally, calculate your yard's square footage to determine the length of string lights you need and the strain it'll put on your party budget. For instance, if you buy GPatio's 120-feet outdoor string lights, it'll cost you about $38 on Amazon. In comparison, 30 feet of the same string lights can be bought for under $18.

Food is the biggest draw at any outdoor gathering. So, you prepare (or order) a range of delicacies to wow your guests and satiate their hunger. However, displaying them uncovered will attract flies and bugs who'll sit on the food to sample it before your family and friends have had a chance. While shooing them away might often work, you don't want to give them the opportunity to contaminate the food and spread disease-causing germs. Enter mesh food covers. Not only will these transparent covers prevent the pesky bugs from coming in contact with the food, but they'll prevent dust and dirt from getting in too. Better yet, they're easy to open (the collapsible ones), maintain, and store.

While you can opt for elastic or fabric food covers, they aren't a superior choice. Elastic covers seldom stay in place, and fabric ones make it difficult to see the contents beneath. Fine mesh covers beat both these cons. Plus, being budget-friendly and reusable, they won't burn a hole in your pocket. Indeed, you can order a set of four 17-inch mesh food covers for under $7 from Amazon. The covers are available in a range of colors and styles, like pyramids, circles, squares, and rectangles, so you won't have to stick to old, boring designs. You can even reuse mesh produce bags to display whole fruits.