10 Outdoor Entertaining Mistakes to Avoid -

Written by Debby Mayne

Celebrate the nice weather by hosting an outdoor party. You want any party you throw to run without a hitch, so it’s essential to be prepared in all aspects of planning. Whether you have a pool party, backyard barbecue, or rooftop get-together, avoid these mistakes to ensure that your guests have a great time.

01 of 10
- Not Having Enough Food and Beverages Enrique Díaz / 7cero / Getty Images
- It can be challenging to know how much food to prepare for any party. This is why it’s important to have a head count of how many to expect. Even then, you may want to make a little extra, to keep people from going away hungry. It’s also nice to have more food in case someone else shows up unexpectedly.You also don’t want your guests to be thirsty, so make sure you have plenty for them to drink. If you serve alcoholic beverages, also provide plenty of nonalcoholic beverages.
02 of 10
- Not Providing Insect Repellent galitskaya / Getty Images
- Even if you allow unexpected guests to crash your party, there is one type of guest you don’t want: bugs. Flying insects can make your human guests miserable when they’re supposed to be having fun, so don’t forget to provide some sort of insect repellent for your outdoor party. You can place repellants around the area and also offer insect spray for guests who seem to attract more bugs.https://a13bc1c497f92c9968b1d128dfac08e4.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
03 of 10
- Not Having Enough Seating Thomas Barwick / Getty Images
- You need enough places for all of your guests to sit. This can be a mix of table seating, patio furniture, and blankets on the lawn if the ground is dry. Place the furniture in conversational groupings so your guests can enjoy each other’s company. Don’t worry if everything doesn’t match because chances are your guests don’t care. They’re at your party to socialize, not judge.
04 of 10
- Not Planning for Rain or Wind pixdeluxe / Getty Images
- As you plan your outdoor party, you have probably checked and rechecked the weather report. However, even if the forecaster calls for clear skies, you know how unpredictable weather can be and that anything can happen. It’s essential to have a backup plan in case it rains or the wind starts to blow everything around.https://a13bc1c497f92c9968b1d128dfac08e4.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
05 of 10
- Not Planning for Temperature Fluctuations Maskot / Getty Images
- As the sun goes down and the temperature drops, you still want your guests to be comfortable. In addition to providing plenty of blankets and throws, there are several heating options for you to consider, such as fire pits, hot tubs, and others that are geared toward outdoor entertainment and living.https://a13bc1c497f92c9968b1d128dfac08e4.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
06 of 10
- Not Being Prepared for Accidents Kathleen Finlay / Getty Images
- One thing you don’t want to happen is for someone to have an accident and get hurt. But you know it can occur when you least expect it. Have a first aid kit nearby, in case you need it and hope that you don’t. This kit should include items for cuts, scrapes, burns, and bug bites.
07 of 10
- Forgetting to Be a Good Neighbor Hero Images / Getty Images
- An outdoor party can be a double-edged sword. You want your guests to have a good time, and this often involves music, loud conversation, and people milling about the property. However, it can get chaotic, and things can get out of hand very quickly. Since you’ll have the same people living around you long after the party ends, you don’t want to be perceived as a terrible neighbor.Remember that your neighbors deserve respect. One of the things that can prevent problems is to invite your neighbors to your event. However, if you’re unable to do that, at least inform them that you’re having some people over and ask them to let you know if they’re being bothered.As you determine the size of your guest list, you need to consider how much parking is available. Your neighbors may be generous and offer their driveways, but don’t expect them to. Whatever you do, make sure your guests don’t block your neighbors’ driveways.
08 of 10
- Refusing to Ask Others to Bring Food Hero Images / Getty Images
- Rather than provide all of the food for your guests, cut yourself some slack and ask everyone to bring a dish to share. You can provide the meat for the grill and the drinks. Having a potluck will give the guests more options to choose from, and everyone will have a vested interest in the party. Very few people object to being asked to bring something to share with others. It’s fun to have a bigger variety on the buffet table. You might even ask people to share their recipes if they bring something unusual.
09 of 10
- Procrastinating Hero Images / Getty Images
- Don’t wait until the last minute to buy refreshments, set up the outdoor space, and start getting ready for the party. Although it’s easy to procrastinate, make a list of things you need to do a week before the event, a few days ahead of the party, the day before you entertain, and the day your guests will come together.Spreading out your tasks will take a lot of pressure off and enable you to feel as though you’ve accomplished something with each step. You’ll also have a much better time at the party since you didn’t have to rush at the last minute.
10 of 10
- Not Planning Enough Activities Cultura RF/JPM / Getty Images
- Your idea of a great outdoor party may be one that revolves around the food and conversation, and this is fine. However, it helps to have a couple of activities set up to keep the party from going flat. Think of icebreakers and games that help your guests engage and interact with each other. Also have a few conversation starters to prevent awkward silence. You don’t have to pull out all of your activities at once. It’s just nice to have a few things you can do if the party begins to feel dull, such as card games, board games, and conversation starter cards. Outdoor game nights can be loads of fun.If your guests don’t already know each other, providing name tags and an introduction can help prevent embarrassing situations. Even if they don’t keep their name tags on throughout the entire event, it helps when they first meet other guests.