We are in the last stretch of summer folks. The days are getting shorter and nights are already cooler. Don’t lose-out on these easy going days by letting your thoughts wander to fall to-do lists. Instead, savour every minute that remains! The best way to get the most out of the last few weeks of summer is to take your normal day-to-day activities outside. Dining al-fresco in you backyard is the perfect way to enjoy every minute of sunshine and warm weather without needing to pack, plan and navigate. Gather round the friends and family, and plan the backyard bash of the year! Here are some tips to hosting memorable mid-summer merrymaking!
Keep thirst at bay: Keep your guests happy and refreshed by offering an assortment of alcoholic and dry drinks. From coffee and whiskey on the rocks to homemade iced tea — the options are nearly endless! Just make sure you have plenty of options and please don’t stick the non-drinkers with tap water or the flat cola that has been in your fridge for a week! Chilled sparkling or soda water gets an instant glow-up when served with frozen berries instead of ice cubes. Serve all drinks in mix and match plastic drinkware for a kitschy and fun feel that is guaranteed to be stress-free. Yay for no broken glass! Hosting a larger crowd? Local Brewery Half Pints takes keg orders online! Half kegs starts at $98.34 and include the tap rental. Plus, the beer comes cold!
Feast by your own rules: You don’t need to default to BBQ burgers and dogs just because you are hosting a backyard soirée! Oh no! Make your own rules and whip-up a large veggie lasagna featuring fresh garden zucchini and summer squash a day ahead of the party and simply reheat once guests start to arrive. Partiers will go crazy over taco bars, lettuce wrap spreads and even grilled flatbreads instead of the expected and tired pizza. The key is not to spend the entire get together cooking. Do as much prep work ahead of time and enjoy the fresh and flavourful produce that is available to us at this time of year! Let your ingredients speak for themselves.
Invest in little details: At this time of year many garden centres are discounting flowers for quick sale. Scour the leftovers and find food-safe flowers like begonias and pansies to use as garnishes. If you are unsure what is edible and what isn’t, don’t hesitate to ask! Alternatively, use the extra herbs from your garden to create unique table décor. Rosemary, dill, mint and even parsley can create beautiful and fragrant feature that can be reused in the kitchen the next day.
Set the mood: Unless you plan to shut the shindig down well before 9 pm, you will need mood lighting. Lights can come in many forms, but there is something absolutely magical about firelight. If you have the space, light a fire well before the sun goes down and keep it smoldering all evening long. Don’t have the room or want to keep a watchful eye on the big flames? A patio table scattered with an assortment of wax, soy and citronella candles creates outdoors atmosphere and keeps the pesky bugs away! Just don’t forget music. As for the playlist, that is up to you, but keep in mind that guest always love suggesting a song or two! Grab their song recommendations at time of RSVP and create an epic playlist ahead of time so that you aren’t taken away from the party to curate tracks.
Amanda Bibeau is a Winnipeg-based food blogger who is passionate about affordable food for all and ‘food without judgment.’ Amanda enjoys hiking, exploring Winnipeg's craft beer scene and working her 9 to 5 as a sr. recruiter with RBC.
