Want a Great Summer Soireé? Remember this!

Everyone wants to celebrate summer and make it a memorable event; however, outdoor parties have their drawbacks, so be prepared.

Tents are expensive so have a rain plan other than canvas.  You can rent a tent, but remember if it rains, you need sides (they are usually extra).  Also, if you don’t have a floor (being a rented one or a cement driveway perhaps), oops!   People will never forget the grass stains on their brand new shoes (or the fact that their stilettos prohibited them from moving table to table).

Mosquitoes abound and proliferate after dark. Flies love food, you’re serving food, thus you’ll have flies.  So you have several choices:  buy everyone a bug-off bracelet (there are four colors available so hopefully you can match their party dress), give everyone an Off® Clip•On™ and add a nametag (cute, no?) or have your local pest control company spray the party area (my choice).  Ignore this warning, and you’ll find everyone in your kitchen.

They call the wind Mariah.  This song (from the 1969 film Paint Your Wagon) says it all:  “Mariah blows the stars around and sets the clouds a-flyin'.”  So when decorating your tent, pavilion or tables, remember tablecloths will blow (you need clips), balloons will wave back and forth in the faces of your guests (thus, no balloons) and paper napkins, plates and cups will fly to the hither lands if you’re not prepared.

Ok. That’s it.  You’ve probably figured out I like air conditioning, china and flowers on the table.  I’m no fun.

The Party Girl