SUMMER IS FINALLY HERE!
Company’s coming and everyone is looking forward to entertaining and connecting! There’s no better time to get together then on a patio in Winnipeg’s wonderful summer days, where the sun is shining and into the evening temperatures barely fall below daytime highs. There’s nothing like entertaining friends and family and a perfect reason to get outside and beautify the deck or patio.
Flowers or potted plants add a lot of character and feeling to an outdoor space. Potted plants and flowers in the corners of the deck or around the seating area provide a nice, visually pleasing outdoor décor. Don’t have the time or care to build your own potted plants? Buy hanging plants and put them in your containers or simply take off the hanging hook and place on a tiered plant stand.
Making batch drinks ahead of time with a base such as lemonade provides a less chaotic experience for the host when everyone is arriving at the same time and can it be made ahead of time. Don’t have time to make a recipe? Buy a boxed Sangria and serve chilled with frozen orange slices for garnish which adds so much flavour with little to no effort at all!
Table settings can still be beautiful outside with the plethora of new outdoor unbreakable dishes available on the market today; especially if your yard has a pool or concrete you don’t want any broken glass if something slips and falls onto the ground.
When some snacks can’t take the heat, place a small bowl in a larger bowl full of ice with items that are best refrigerated like dips and salsas. Purchase veggie and fruit trays for quick, unexpected entertainment or as a guest bring one along to the party if you don’t want to show up empty handed.
Lighting don’t forget about lighting – a little solar powered lantern or candle adds a lot as day turns to night. It’s sometimes the little things that make a big difference in ambiance!
Lastly, in Winnipeg we must consider the mosquitoes which can get very bad at dusk for about 90 minutes or so. We have found that one option that works well and doesn’t smell like poison is the Thermacell Patio Shield (we found ours at Canadian Tire for less than $40). They work best when turned on before dusk, and placed around the perimeter of the patio, like a barrier – they help a lot! They are worth the investment to stay outside and enjoy the limited, beautiful summer nights!
If you have any summer entertaining tips you’d like to share, please email me! I’d love to hear them!
Enjoy your summer!
