Friday 19 / April / 2024
Whatever the occasion, take advantage of the extra space outside for the perfect backyard party in the evening. Let these tips help you plan and get your outdoor space ready for guests.
1. Cluster the conversation spots
When planning your backyard layout, think beyond the patio table, and provide more than enough seating for all. Arrange sofas and chairs into conversation clusters to keep people outside and enjoying each other's company. It's also smart to provide coffee tables, side tables and other spaces where people can set their drinks and snacks. Don't be afraid to borrow pieces from a friend or neighbour to make the party set complete.
2. Add the right lighting
Consider the time of day of your gathering and what that means for your lighting. Intense late-day sun glare is unpleasant for all, so avoid it. A few strategically placed patio plants can make a dramatic difference and make the space feel more comfortable. For the post-sundown festivities, light up the party zone with holiday lights along deck rails or zig-zagged overhead.
3. Keep flying invaders at bay
No one likes it when uninvited guests like flying, biting insects show up. Bottles of insect repellent in a conspicuous place are a good bet on buggy nights, but keep these (and the spraying area) well away from the food. For a chemical-free alternative, set out a fan or two on a low setting to stir up enough of a breeze to keep the pests away.
4. Get your game on
For the ultimate crowd mixer and crowd pleaser, keep a few fun and easy yard games on hand. Dust off the old bocce ball set. Or, with a few simple materials from your local hardware store, you can create and customise DIY versions of your favourites, including bean-bag toss, ring toss or even target shooting with water guns.
5. Keep the snacks simple and stress free
The secret to a good party is not stressing over every detail of the décor and the same goes for the food. An array of delicious but simple snacks are more than enough to get the party started. Soft pretzels are always a party favourite, and some prefer to eat their soft pretzels dipped. Others prefer cheese toppings. For the perfect snack to spice up the festivities, include a batch of pretzel parmesan garlic bites or pretzel bites.
Parmesan Garlic Bites
Ingredients
1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons wet, minced garlic
2 tablespoons pretzel salt
2 tablespoons dry parsley
1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese
9-12 pretzel bites
Preparation
In a bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, pretzel salt, parsley and Parmesan cheese and set aside. Deep fry the pretzel bites in cooking oil at 180 degrees C for about 2 minutes. When done, dredge the pretzel bites into the oil and cheese mixture. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce.
Pretzel Bites
Ingredients
20 pretzel bites
Melted butter
Bagel seasoning
Optional: whipped cream cheese (for dipping)
Preparation
Prepare soft pretzel bites according to instructions on the box. Lightly coat soft pretzel bites with melted butter. Season soft pretzel bites with bagel seasoning and soft pretzel salt. Bake in 170 degree C oven until golden brown. Serve with whipped cream cheese for dipping.
