Hosting an outdoor event is a great way to kick off the summer season. From cooking out and swimming with friends to playing games and getting together for sporting events, there is no shortage of opportunities to host an entertaining summer gathering. If you’re thinking of hosting an outdoor event this year, use this backyard party checklist before sending out your invitations. With a complete backyard party checklist, you can guarantee that you are fully prepared for any type of party, barbecue, or outdoor celebration you have planned this year.
What Kind of Food Will You Serve?
One of the foundational elements of any great backyard party checklist involves the food that will be served. Whenever you’re in charge of hosting an outdoor event at home, you will need to consider the type of food you will be serving and whether or not you will be providing drinks and alcoholic beverages as well. Popular foods to serve at an outdoor event will include everything from appetizers and traditional finger foods to entrees that align with the theme or cuisine you prefer. You can also offer desserts if you have a place to store and keep them cool throughout the event.
Some popular cuisines to consider when choosing foods for your backyard party might include:
- Italian
- Chinese
- Japanese
- Lebanese
- Irish
- German
- Russian
- Indian
Take time to research various recipes, finger foods, and appetizers from your preferred cuisine. This will help you to determine which foods are ideal for your next outdoor gathering, especially if you plan to host your event during the hottest months of the year.
If you’re uninterested in preparing the food yourself, it’s also possible to connect with local restaurants to inquire about catering and takeout opportunities. Call restaurants ahead of time to inquire about large parties and catering requirements. Some establishments may require that you call in advance depending on the amount of food you intend to order or have prepared.
Are There Restrooms for Everyone?
Another important backyard party checklist item that cannot be left behind is restrooms. Whenever you’re hosting any type of event, inside or out, you will need to ensure that all of your guests have appropriate facilities to use without problems. Restrooms are necessary for outdoor events, especially those you intend to have for more than just an hour or two. If you’re thinking of hosting a large outdoor event, consider the various types of porta potty rentals that are available in your local area. You can also seek out a luxury portable restroom if you’re interested in an upgraded version of a portable toilet.
Without proper facilities, you run the risk of causing your guests to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome. You may also cause guests to leave early, especially if they do not have a restroom that they can easily and comfortably access outdoors.
Is Your Fence in Good Shape?
When you are in the process of planning an upcoming outdoor event, keep in mind the surroundings that are visible to guests when spending time outdoors. Do you have adequate fencing installed around your home? Is your current fence in good shape? How much privacy does your fence in the yard currently provide for you and your guests?
Inspect your home’s fence prior to hosting a backyard party to determine if it requires a new paint job, updates, or a complete replacement. If you’re unsure of the work that needs to be done when it comes to your home’s fence, contact a professional fencing company.
Working together with a professional fencing company will provide you with valuable insight into the current condition of your fence. A fencing specialist will also help you to learn more about all of the options you have when it comes to your fence based on the size of your lot and your budget.
Have You Opened Your Pool?
No backyard party checklist is complete without first ensuring your pool is open and ready for your guests. While not all homes have a built-in pool, pools make excellent forms of entertainment for those who do have them available. Whenever you’re planning an outdoor party or gathering, ensuring your pool is properly maintained and ready for use is essential.
Opening your pool for the year may require a bit of maintenance, chemicals, and a bit of testing. If you’re not sure where to begin or if you want to save time, you can do so by reaching out to a local pool maintenance service. A pool maintenance service will help you to save time while assessing what your swimming pool needs immediately. Those who specialize in working with pools understand the ins and outs of keeping pools clean and maintained year-round, regardless of the size of the pool and the traffic it receives.
Are There Pests in the Yard?
Taking care of pests is essential as a homeowner, and not just when you’re reviewing your backyard party checklist. Any type of invasive pest can put a damper on outdoor event plans, even if the pests themselves are harmless or non-toxic. Whether you have a yard that has been infested with crickets, cockroaches, rats, or another type of animal or insect, you will need to eliminate the pests before hosting a gathering or party.
Hosting an event outdoors where pests are visible and present can quickly cause your guests’ experiences to go downhill. If you allow pests to roam freely throughout your event, you run the risk of scaring guests away, making them uncomfortable, or even triggering allergies and asthma that can all be related to various pests.
Unfortunately, dealing with intrusive pests is not always an easy task or feat. If you do not know how to properly eliminate pests from your home or from your yard, it’s best to leave the job to the professionals. Calling on a professional pest control service is a must whenever you encounter a major infestation of any kind.
Pest control professionals specialize not only in identifying various pests based on region but determining the best course of action and the proper solutions to eliminate them entirely. When you are seeking a pest control service for an upcoming gathering, ask the following questions:
- Experience: How experienced is your pest control company when it comes to the type of pests I have encountered?
- Licensing and insurance: Are you currently licensed and insured to provide pest control services to residential customers in our area?
- Treatments: What treatments and solutions do you typically recommend for the type of pest infestation I am experiencing?
- Length of treatment: How long will the treatments last each time? How many treatments will I require before the pests are completely eradicated from the surroundings of my home?
- Prevention: How can I prevent pests from invading my home or yard again in the future? What tools, treatments, or solutions should I implement to minimize the risk of another infestation in the future?
- Guarantees: What work guarantees are provided? Most contractors and pest control specialists will provide a work guarantee for the services or treatments they offer.
Do You Need to Repave Your Driveway?
One question you should ask and keep in mind whenever you are hosting an event at your own home is how accessible your driveway is. Updating and repaving your driveway is not only a way to increase your home’s value and innate curbside appeal, but it will also make it much easier for your guests to navigate the exterior of your home. Additionally, an updated and freshly paved driveway will appear much more modern and put together, as opposed to a crumbling or cracking driveway and surrounding sidewalk. If you are thinking of investing in your driveway or sidewalk, you can do so by seeking professional paving contractors who offer asphalt repair and replacement solutions.
Working together with paving contractors is extremely beneficial. It provides you with access to professionals who specialize in working with cement, asphalt, and other relevant outdoor materials. Working with a contractor will also ensure that the work is guaranteed and completed properly. When seeking a paving contractor, be sure to seek recommendations and referrals from those you know and trust. You can also browse for testimonials from actual clients online the website of a contractor or the online presence of a paving company.
Have You Chosen Your Decorations?
Selecting the decorations for your backyard party is key, especially if you intend to host guests for more than just an hour or so on your property. Choosing the right decorations can help you to create the atmosphere and environment you envision. From investing in traditional and classy flower bouquets to choosing themed items, such as lua-themed lights, drinking cups, and decor, there are plenty of options to create the perfect outdoor party or gathering this year.
Popular Themes and Decorations for Outdoor Gatherings
When you’re in the process of planning an upcoming outdoor event, seeking inspiration for a theme is highly recommended. Choosing a theme to start off with will help you once you begin shopping around for appropriate and fitting decorations. There are many different popular themes that are suitable for outdoor gatherings of all types, including:
- Luau: A luau theme party is one of the most popular options when hosting an outdoor event. Using traditional Hawaiian music, foods, and items such as luaus can help transport you in time and to a warmer climate.
- Garden/Tea: Hosting a tea party or a traditional garden party can provide you with the perfect opportunity to introduce new flowers and plants throughout your garden over delicious tea and biscuits.
- Backyard movie: If you have the equipment and space available, you might consider hosting a backyard movie for your partygoers and guests.
- Beach: If you’re not a fan of luau-themed parties or if you want to create a more unique look that is also outdoors, you can opt for a beach-themed gathering.
- Campfire: For those who are lovers of the great outdoors, a camping-themed outdoor gathering is another way to kick off the summertime. Using campfires, roasting smores, and cooking over the fire is a great way to truly embrace the essence of summer.
Is Your Deck in Good Shape?
Whenever you’re hosting an outdoor event, it’s important to have adequate seating and entertainment space. If you choose to host your party outdoors at your own home, you might be thinking of doing so due to owning your own private deck. Before choosing to set your party on your outdoor deck, it’s essential to determine if your deck is in good shape or not. A deck that requires staining, attention, or updates may not be suitable for a large outdoor gathering, depending on the number of guests you are inviting. If you are thinking of using your backyard deck as a location to host an outdoor event, keep the following in mind:
- Location: Where is your deck located? Is it easily accessible from inside of the home, or does it require guests to first access other areas of your yard before they can access the deck?
- Size: How big is your yard’s deck? Is it suitable enough for the number of guests you intend to invite to your event? Is your deck one floor, or does it provide multiple floors for even more access and easier movement?
When reviewing your backyard party checklist and inspecting your deck, you might notice that it requires a bit of work. This is not uncommon for homeowners with decks, even if you have not lived on your property for years. If you are unsure of how to approach the issues you encounter or spot on your deck, it may be time to call on professional deck contractors. Contractors who specialize in working on decks understand various types of wood, materials, and solutions or treatments based on the current condition of your space.
Anytime you are planning an upcoming outdoor event, it’s imperative to have a complete backyard party checklist to reference. Using a backyard party checklist is a way for you to ensure you have fully prepared for the upcoming event you are planning. With a complete backyard party checklist, move forward with the planning process of your next outdoor event knowing that you have all angles of the gathering covered.