Light Up Your Summer Party

Summer is upon us, which means it’s time to get outside and soak in the sunshine. People tend to go out to eat less in the summer and invite friends and family over for meals instead. After all, why not play host and enjoy some lively conversation and good food outdoors? Do you have a longstanding girls’ night out? Invite everyone over for cocktails on the patio! Retirement party or family birthday party? Have a cookout! What better time to invest in things like teak patio sets than Summer cookout season? Planning your summer party will be a cinch with these tips.

Start off by making a list of who you’d like as guests and send out the invites. For a more formal party, actual invitations sent through the mail are probably best. For more casual get-togethers, invitations sent via email or events on social media are some examples of acceptable forms of modern invitations. Once everyone has RSVP’d, you can arrange your outdoor area to ensure there is ample seating. You may have to accommodate some room for fans or portable AC units depending on how warm it is. Coolest Gadgets have reviewed some portable AC units, saving you time and energy. There’s nothing worse than having a lovely meal and you can’t eat it because you’re too warm. When dining outside, it’s important to take into consideration whether you will be entertaining your guests during the day or in the evening. For events held during the day, use your table as your canvas. Utilize plate chargers, napkins, and utensils as fun accessories that can brighten up your outdoor space! Check out this VIDEO for some helpful tips on how to throw a summer party outdoors.

Step up your curb appeal by letting your guests know they’ve arrived at the right house with some colorful lighting. Skip the overdone balloons tied to the mailbox and wrap some Battery Operated LED Lights around the mailbox post. Your home’s entrance is also a great focal point to work with. Wrap lights around your porch railing or decorate the shrubs and trees in your front yard for a fun, festive look. For a more subtle, yet still attention-grabbing look, install LED Spot Lights for a splash of color to the front of you home, or to highlight the bar or food table.

The menu is arguably the most important detail of your party. Be sure you have plenty of bottled water on hand, as people can tend to overheat at these outdoor events if they are not properly hydrated. A variety of soda, beer, and wine are all great options for self service at parties. If you’re looking to take on the task of managing the food yourself, grilling out is a great option. It allows you to enjoy conversing with your company while still handling your duties as host. Serving things like skewers and corn on the cob are great options for finger foods that are pre-portioned and easy for your guests to grab. Make sure you have plenty of items that can be made ahead of time and that won’t take up valuable grill space as well. Pasta salads, mixed fruit, and veggie platters are all excellent side dishes that can be stored in the refrigerator and are ready to serve at a moment’s notice.

For parties taking place in the evening, the accessories become more about the lighting. Candles make the perfect centerpiece while providing a cozy atmosphere. This could be ideal if you are planning on having an indoor formal gathering. The lighting for indoor parties are just as important as if you were hosting one outside, and you should have a think about dazzling your guests by having new LED ceiling lights fitted to your living room or hallway. This could be the perfect option if you are making the decision to update the design of your home, but if you’re not, then candles will make for the best centerpieces to your party. Looking for a more long term solution? Take a look at your surroundings. Do you have a patio or deck? For decks, there are lots of options for installing lighting discreetly so that it blends in seamlessly with the deck. LED post caps and under-mounted lighting on deck railings and stairs are great examples of ways to add some lighting in a way that doesn’t immediately grab attention. For a fast and simple solution you can utilize LED Rope Light under deck railings or stairs, without the hassle of a full blow installation.

If you’re working with a patio, try hanging some String Lights over the patio. If your yard features a pergola, you can easily hang lights to create a fantastic setting. You might even want to consider using smart technology to control your lighting remotely. If you’re thinking of upgrading your property into a smart home, head over to customcontrols.co.uk, they install Crestron automation systems around the world and can offer smart lighting control solutions to suit your needs.

LED Light Spheres are a fantastic way for you to distinguish your party from the neighbors. These unique spheres provide an excellent focal point to your event and can serve to both mark your location or highlight an area by hanging them from either trees or your roof-line. They are available in a wide range of colors, to match your theme.

With the guest list finalized, ample seating arranged, and a tasty menu on the horizon, your summer party is sure to be a hit. Add in some festive lighting to ensure your company sticks around long after the dinner plates have been cleared. Live it up this summer on your patio or deck and soak in the warm evening air with a cocktail in hand while having fun with your family and friends.