Hosting The Holidays Outside This Season

Looking for a change of scenery this holiday season, but prefer not to travel? Consider taking your celebration outdoors! Top Tips For Dining Outdoors If you live in a climate with mild fall or winter weather, an al fresco feast may be just the thing to reinvigorate the holiday with friends and family. This can also be achieved with a little more planning in a colder climate (we suggest extra layers of clothing and an outdoor heater for maximum comfort). Food & Drinks If you’re preparing for a large gathering, you can rent or buy chafing dishes to keep food warm throughout the big meal. Keep “family style” dishes warm by packing them into insulated containers that keep in the heat. Hot drinks like mulled wine and spiced cider can make mealtime extra cozy. Insulated glasses or tumblers conserve heat and make great hand warmers, too! Decorations Are fresh flowers harder to come by this time of year, or do you want to try something more in-season? Bouquets of ornamental grasses and dried flowers can add character to any centerpiece. Including richly textured fabrics or table runners (we suggest burlap or linen) in your decor can help further elevate your space. Battery powered and electric candles and lanterns can give your party atmosphere a warm, reliable glow. Consider hanging holiday lights for an extra dose of warmth and holiday cheer! Spread a weatherproof mat or rugged picnic blanket to define your outdoor dining space and give it texture. Entertainment You can add new holiday traditions by connecting outside over yard games this season! Some of our favorites include cornhole, bocce ball, and lawn darts. Take those speakers outdoors and queue up the tunes! We suggest indulging in a dinner party playlist to set the mood. Mix up your holiday dessert selection by breaking out the pie iron and baking personal pies over an outdoor fire pit. Consider offering a DIY pie bar with ingredients like homemade jams and graham cracker crusts to take your outdoor delights to the next level. Other Considerations It never hurts to have a back up plan in case Mother Nature is at odds with your holiday dinner party. Consider a lightweight pop up tent to protect guests (and all that delicious, carefully prepared food!) from rain and inclement weather.