Outdoor Party Prep

The first step in summer prep is getting your outdoor furniture situated in your space. Whether you are decorating your patio, porch, or backyard, seek out some sturdy yet lightweight, weather-resistant furniture.

Finding outdoor furniture that is rain-ready and easy to move means you won’t have to scramble if the weather turns. Keep a matching deck box on hand to store cushions, pillows, and blankets—and keep an eye out for those cumulonimbus clouds! In-furniture storage is a great way to keep everything you need nearby without compromising on space or seating.

Furniture can have a big impact on the flow of your space—make sure to keep walkways and doorways clear so your guests can mingle and move about. Be sure you heave enough tables and other surfaces (your deck box will work in a pinch!) for your guests to put down their drinks and food. Also consider adding trash cans to your space so that guests don’t have to seek one out inside.

The party doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down. String up some hanging lights or paper lanterns to brighten and beautify your space after dark. Suspended lighting is a great space saver as well because it illuminates a large area without taking up valuable real estate on the ground. Plus, it doesn’t cast long shadows, which means your whole porch, patio, or yard can stay well-lit into the wee hours of the morning! String lights and paper lanterns can also fit snugly into a deck box for dry storage — ready to be used for an impromptu get together or a party that keeps going all night long!

What makes a perfect party playlist? Know your audience and, if in doubt, select a good mix of upbeat genres, from classic crowd-pleasers to newer hits. Throw in some karaoke favorites to get people talking—or even singing! Looking for inspiration? Check out the Suncast Summer Mix on Spotify, and let the good times roll!

Pro tip: Be sure to test your music setup before the event so you don’t have to waste time fiddling with wires or Bluetooth connections and keep the focus on entertaining your guests.  

Everybody loves a good snack, but you don’t want your guests to be tied to a plate and cutlery all day. Consider prepping some simple, easy finger food to keep your guests happy and the conversation flowing. This homemade salsa recipe from Cooking Classy is the perfect place to start — plus, you can throw in some homegrown tomatoes to really wow them!

Salsa Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 5–6 Roma Tomatoes (or 1 ¼ lbs of any kind of tomato) – You can use your homegrown ones here!
• 1 (14.5 oz) can of diced tomatoes or diced tomatoes with green chilis
• ½ a red onion, diced. (Replace ¼ of the red onion with 2 green onions for a milder onion flavor)
• 1 jalapeno pepper, diced. (De-seed for a milder salsa, leave the seeds in to keep it spicy)
• ⅓ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 large clove of garlic, chopped
• 2 Tbsp lime juice (Fresh is best, but bottled works fine!)
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ¼ tsp ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse in 1-second bursts until everything is finely chopped.
2. Serve! Salsa tastes best cold! If you have time, put it in the fridge for a few hours before your party.
3. Bon Appetit!

Notes:

• Keeps in the fridge for 1 week in a sealed container.