TIPS FOR EASY
Summer Entertaining ALICIA WOOD
CREATIVE DIRECTOR, THE LUSH LIST www.thelushlist.com @thelushlist on Instagram aliciawood@sbcglobal.net
I'm thrilled to be contributing to IBB at Home this year. Entertaining is my passion. I love sharing that passion with others whether through entertaining tips or easy recipes. Entertaining family and friends should be an enjoyable experience, something you look forward to, not something you dread. Here are my tips for easy summer entertaining to help you enjoy the evening as much as your guests, and so you’ll want to entertain often.
CREATE A MAKE-AHEAD MENU
Ensuring that you aren't in the kitchen or at the grill all night helps you to be more relaxed, and your guests will be more at ease as well. They won't feel like they should be helping, and you will have time to enjoy their company. Gazpacho Shooters, an Avocado Bar and Barbecue Chicken are my go-to dishes.
SET A BEAUTIFUL TABLE WITH OUTDOOR DINNERWARE
There are so many gorgeous options now in melamine dishes and acrylic drinkware. Over the years, I've collected a few patterns, and I love to mix and match them. Using nonbreakable items helps alleviate the worry of broken glass in the grass or pool. I use fresh flowers every time I entertain. I love to bring in a garden element to the table by adding clipped greenery or magnolia leaves from my landscaping.
MIX COCKTAILS AND MOCKTAILS IN BATCHES FOR YOUR SELF-SERVE BAR
Everyone loves an icy cocktail or mocktail in the summer. Mix yours in batches and serve in drink dispensers or pitchers with lids so that no one has to play bartender all night. Our favorite batch cocktails are my Strawberry and White Peach Basil Sangrias.
PLAY AROUND
We love to have a few outdoor games for guests. This is especially great for family entertaining. Lawn Dice, Corn Hole and Bocce are our top picks.
BE A DJ
Make a great playlist or download one from Spotify. Setting the mood is just as important as the food!
INSECT CONTROL
Be sure to spray your outdoor entertaining area early in the day to get rid of those pesky mosquitos. Nothing ruins an outdoor party like unwanted critters.
68 IBB AT HOME