Long days and warm nights – summer is made for gathering outdoors. Whether you’re hosting a casual backyard get-together, a dinner on the deck, or a casual barbeque, this season invites us to slow down, sip something cool, and enjoy the longer days. Having some entertaining essentials on hand, including outdoor twinkle lights, blankets, and maybe even a fire pit, will ensure that your outdoor dining season is enjoyable and successful. We’ve come a long way from the Jell-O salads, paper plates, and popsicles of the good old days!
From effortless menus to pretty tables and crowd-pleasing playlists, here’s everything you need to make summer entertaining feel easy, stylish, and fun.
And if you’re looking for more ideas on Outdoor Living, check out our blogs on Outdoor Rugs & Plant Pairings and Pep Up Your Patio. For summer-inspired kitchen tools, take a look at our blog on kitchen essentials to help you prep fresh fruits and veggies.
Outdoor Entertaining:
Melamine/Unbreakable Plates and Bowls: Crate & Barrel has great unbreakable plates and bowls that will last from season to season.
Acrylic Glasses: Crate & Barrel has dishwasher-safe plastic glasses in all shapes and sizes that are great for poolside hangs or alfresco cocktails.
Outdoor Placemats: Chiliwich makes the best, easy-to-clean vinyl placemats.
Tablecloths and Napkins: Serena & Lily has festive linens in fun colors and patterns.
Charcuterie Board: Serve cheese in style with a spinning charcuterie board. This rotating acacia wood cheese board includes separate compartments complete with two ceramic dishes for cheese, cured meat, or olives, and rotates so guests easily reach their favorites.
Big Melamine Serving Bowl: Perfect for green salads, fruit salads, slaws, and more.
Acrylic Pitcher: Lemonade, iced tea, margaritas, and more!
A big cooler full of cold drinks and ice is a crowd-pleaser and keeps everyone from running indoors to the fridge (and helps when you’ve run out of room in the fridge!).
Outdoor Decor:
Cordless Rechargeable Lights: The cordless portable lamp features a dominant opal polyethylene shade with a powder-coated aluminum handle and a rechargeable battery. At the bottom of the handle is a round button that you push to customize the illumination.
Cordless Rechargeable Lights: 2-pack of this table lamp, complete with three dimmable settings, perfect for achieving that “dimly-lit bistro look” on your table.
Create a festive atmosphere with string lights or lanterns, or both!
An outdoor rug gives a comfy landing pad and defines an outdoor area, and these budget-friendly, cute fleece plaid blankets will help keep your guests warm and cozy.
Fire Pit: Constructed with clean curves in sleek stainless steel, the large Solo Yukon stove elevates the fireside experience with a smoke-free design.
Mosquito Protection:
Citronella Candles: Nothing ruins the vibe more than pesky mosquitoes! Have these good-looking candles out and about to repel the bugs. These colorful bug repellent bracelets are fun party favors. The Thermacell Mosquito repellents are also very popular!
Entertainment & Games:
Portable Speaker: Waterproof, Bluetooth speaker.
Grill Tools:
If you’re going to be grilling, don’t forget to take an inventory of your grilling supplies to make sure you’re ready!
Grill Cleaner. Check if last year’s cleaner is worn down, as these don’t last forever.
Tools: A heavy-duty spatula, a brush, a spatula, and a fork will help your grilling game. Is it time to replace your old ones, perhaps?
Skewers: Jo loves her stainless steel skewers because they are rustproof, heat resistant, corrosion resistant, and last a long time!
Wireless Meat Thermometer: Take the guessing game out of whether your meat is done or not. Chrissie loves her Meater brand option as well.
Grill Gloves: Protect your hands from high heat with these non-skid gloves.
Vegetable Basket: This round basket lets you grill items that are tricky and may “fall through the cracks”. And it’s dishwasher safe!
Grill Light: Don’t get caught in the dark!
