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Answer: Bugs that bite and buzz around the food are the ultimate outdoor party crashers. Keep uninvited flying guests away from people with the judicious placement of citronella candles and torches (put torches around the perimeter of your entertaining area and candles on the tables and food table; just make sure small children can't reach them). You can also set out bug repellent and tell guests to help themselves. Protect the food with covers - use big inverted plastic bowls or mesh food tents to keep flies away.
Answer: You certainly don't want to be responsible for a series of fainting fits when you're hosting company. When you're planning an outdoor gathering and the mercury is sizzling, you have a few options. If you want to keep the party outside, set up umbrellas for shade, place seating under trees, have plenty of cool drinks available, and consider making water games the theme of the day. See our entertaining tips for water game ideas. Or, move the party inside and crank up the air conditioning - extra people in the house plus a heat wave will heat the house up faster.
Answer: If grilling is your forte, make the rest of the meal simple. Start with some ready-to-bake appetizers and cool drinks so guests have something to munch on while you work your magic at the grill. For the meal itself, get classic salads like potato and coleslaw from the deli, plus chips and dip to round it off. For dessert, head back to the barbeque: grilled peach halves topped with vanilla ice cream are always a hit. Check out our summer entertaining recipes for more ideas.
Patricia from Washington asks: How can I get my yard in shape ASAP for a get-together this weekend?
Answer: Head outside and do a visual sweep of the yard: are there toys and junk lying around? Put them away for the party. Make sure the grass is freshly mowed, pull major weeds in the garden, and wipe down outdoor furniture with a cloth, or hose it down and let it dry in the sun. Want to go beyond "clean" and put up some outdoor décor? Find ideas here.
Answer: Your problem is a common one for families with pools, but there are ways to keep the house cool and dry and the kids wet and warm. Designate one room (preferably a bathroom right inside the door) as the changing room for the pool party, and set a firm rule that no wet swimsuits go any further into the house. Keep a stack of extra towels right by the door, and consider posting a sign reminding guests to close the door behind them, to keep the cool air inside.
Kari from New Mexico asks: I'm planning an outdoor party. What should I do if it rains?
Answer: You have three options if bad weather is looming. 1. Include a rain date in the invitation. This might not be practical if your party includes out-of-town relatives and guests. 2. Move the party inside. If your house has the space, go for it, but if not, seriously consider option three. 3. Rent a tent. They can be pricey, but so is all the time and money you've sunk into the party. Even if the weather turns out fair and fine, you'll have a refuge from the sun.
Anne from California asks: How far in advance should I mail invitations or send evites for my party?
Answer: The formality of the party will determine how soon you need to send invitations. Wedding invitations should be mailed 8-10 weeks in advance, a formal party 6 weeks in advance, an informal or cocktail party 2-3 weeks in advance. If you're holding a party during a busy time of year (such as December or graduation), consider alerting guests well in advance with a "save the date" card.
Donna from Ohio asks: If people don't RSVP, how many guests should I plan on?
Answer: We pity the poor hostess who has to fret over misplaced invitations and inconsiderate attendees, but non-RSVPs are a common entertaining problem. If your event is large and/or informal, prepare 25 percent more food than you think you'll need for the number that's responded, which will cover people who don't RSVP but still show up. If the party is small or formal, simply call the delinquents and ask if they're planning to attend.
Jeff from Connecticut asks: How do I make sure all the food is finished at the same time?
Answer: The day before the party, make a "backwards list" by writing down the time you want the food to be on the table. Then list how long each dish will take to bake, cook, or be assembled, and work backwards so you know what time to start each one. For example, if the party starts at 4 p.m., pop the Bar-B-Q pork in the oven at 2:30, arrange the fruit platter at 3:30, and bake the mozzarella sticks just 10 minutes before guests arrive. For a long open house, you'll want to stagger the food so it doesn't all come out at once and sit on the table for hours, so make several "backwards lists" with staggered serving times.
Answer: Alcohol always livens up a party, but if you serve it, do so in moderation since your guests will likely be driving. Mix a big pitcher of a signature or themed drink for the party instead of operating a full bar, or put several varietals of wine out for guests to choose their own. If your party is alcohol free, try jazzing up iced tea with pomegranate or cranberry juice and lime slices, making sparkling lemonade with lemonade concentrate and sparkling water, or letting guests make their own Italian sodas with ice, sparkling water, and flavored syrups.
Cheryl from Iowa asks: How do I know I'll have enough food?
Answer: Have you ever been to a party where the food ran out? More than likely, you'll have the opposite problem and will be seen post-party foisting doggie bags on departing guests, but we'll calm your fears anyway. If more guests show up and they're hungrier than you expected, have some backup food on hand; non-perishable snacks like pretzels and mixed nuts and frozen appetizers like mozzarella sticks that can be heated in a hurry. The extra food will come in handy if one of your starring dishes turns into a culinary disaster. See our party food calculator for serving guidelines.
Answer: You may want to look into renting, but not necessarily a hall. If the weather forecast looks good, renting tables and chairs for outdoors is an option. Throw in a tent if you can't count on mother nature. If you think a hall will make your life easier, go for it. It's your party.
Julie from Indiana asks: How long can food sit out safely?
Answer: When food that's supposed to be kept hot or cold sits out at room temperature for too long, scary-sounding bacteria can develop, causing foodborne illness. In order to send your guests home as happy as they came, go by the two-hour rule and don't let anything sit out at room temperature for longer than that. Keep hot foods hot with chafing dishes (rent these from a party rental company) and cold foods cold by nesting them in bowls of ice. Or use smaller serving trays and replace them often.
Debbie from Florida asks: I'm not much of a cook. How can I dress up my store-bought items?
Answer: Relax, we've got the cheater's guide right here. Delicious food is all about presentation. Garnish serving platters with fresh greens or lemon slices, sprinkle a bit of paprika or freshly-ground black pepper on store-bought hors d'oeuvres, and dust sweet foods with powdered sugar or chocolate shavings. You'll be amazed at how good "your" creations look and taste.
Great Recipes and Tips, Served Up Fresh.
Jeff from Connecticut asks: How do I make sure all the food is finished at the same time?
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Answer: The day before the party, make a "backwards list" by writing down the time you want the food to be on the table. Th.... Continued >
