Aaaah, autumn! It's the perfect time to entertain outdoors -- most of the bugs are gone, the sun isn't scorching even though it's warm enough to enjoy an afternoon or evening al fresco, and there's a bounty of good things to serve for an outdoor meal.
A great way to make a room or home look beautiful for the holiday is through the use of candles. Often, you may have some extra from Christmas to use. Get candle holders or use rings of silk flowers and greenery. Look for the right scent for the candles too if you would like. Make sure they are pink, white or red.FoodsLightingThe method you'll use to chase the chill from the night will vary depending on your climate and your outdoor space. If you have a yard (and community by-laws allow), a campfire is a wonderful informal party setting. In smaller gardens, consider self-contained fire pits or a chimenea.For a more formal affair, you can install a propane-powered heater. These units are available in a range of heating powers and prices. Or, drape attractive throws or quilts on each chair for your guests to wrap around their shoulders to ward off the night air.Before you bung the clothes in, check the pockets for things like loose change and tissues - and you might find that missing phone number while you're at it. Load the things in the washing machine and put in the right amount of powder. Program the machine to wash according to the water level, the temperature and any special instructions, such as soaking or delicate wash (that's the one you use for the satiny boxers - and remember to wash woollen things in cold on a wool cycle). Cold washes are cheaper to do and work OK, but you need the right sort of powder. Most powders are OK in cold these days, except for biological (enzyme) washing powder.The earlier sunset will afford you an ideal opportunity to bathe your outdoor space in evening lights. Use soft light, but use plenty of it. Try dozens of votive candles in jars and glasses to protect the flame from the wind, hurricane lamps, or kerosene lanterns set on low. Create cozy seating areas and equip each with a glowing light source.Need to decorate a bulletin board? Fill it with flowers and hearts in the color scheme mentioned. Make sure to put a fun border around it and possibly put hearts of all shapes and sizes throughout it. Include some pictures of family members of the students in a class for a great look. You can also ad a fun saying or slogan to it. Make it something quirky like �Be My Valentine� or make it religious such as �God Is Love.� In the background do something unique. For the backing, go with a tablecloth in the color scheme, a pink piece of paper or otherwise interesting forms.HeatingBecause the days are shorter in the autumn, outdoor entertaining in the fall calls for special attention to lighting and temperature.Whether you hold a harvest hoedown or a stylish sit-down dinner party for eight, fall for outside entertaining this autumn!Try to get in the washing on the same day as you put it out, although it's not the end of the world if things sit on a drying rack for a day or so - or even on an outdoor washing line. If it gets caught in the rain, don't panic - just think of this as an extra rinse cycle. But if you want to wear them and don't fancy hopping out to the line in the nick looking for a clean pair of underpants, get them in and put them away a.s.a.p.
Whether you hold a harvest hoedown or a stylish sit-down dinner party for eight, fall for outside entertaining this autumn!
Author: Debbie Rodgers
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