TIPS 11 Simple Backyard Summer Entertaining Ideas

Looking for easy backyard summer entertaining ideas? Here’s everything you need for the perfect summer party.

Father’s Day was amazing. All the kids were home and they fixed dinner and we played games and told stories and I wore the cutest outfit that mixed hot pink and red. And somewhere between wearing two of the brightest colors on the color wheel and homemade chicken noodle casserole, I realized how much I missed them.

After they left I got so sentimental.

With an extra dose of sappy on top.

Sigh.

They drove away and I stood on the porch and thought about the day I told the backyard goodbye.

It was heart-wrenching.

All of those lazy summer days.

All of those parties.

All of those times together as a family.

It was more than a backyard. It was a gathering place for celebrations and moments and milestones and spending time with friends and family.

And now?

I’m so happy we are back together—my backyard and I. I’m so happy that we have zillions more summer days and parties and family get-togethers to come.

I never met a celebration I didn’t love.

So today, I’m sharing 11 summer entertaining ideas—from my backyard to yours.

11 Simple and Easy Backyard Summer Entertaining Ideas

// fruit-inspired plates //

1. Add a bold plate

The only thing better than a bold lip (I’m looking at you red lipstick) is a bold plate.

I found this set at Walmart for only $5.

Yep.

About the price of a fancy cup of coffee for these fruit dessert plates that are PERFECT to layer in with my set of white plates.

You can see them here.

// footed serving board //

2. Add a footed serving board as a centerpiece

I added this footed serving board to the center of the table.

It makes the perfect centerpiece and instantly elevates the entire meal.

Pun TOTALLY intended.

You could add a charcuterie spread to the center and just let everyone graze, or you could use it to serve salad and bread like I did here.

// jute table runner //

3. Turn a table runner into a chair cover

This is such a simple DIY project.

I took a table runner, cut it in half and fringed the edges.

Then I threaded jute twine (you could use ribbon, too) through both sides and tied it onto the chair and repeated the process for each of the other chairs at the table.

You can use any woven table runner (but here’s the link to this runner that you could cut and fray).

 

// entire patio set //

4. Add extra seating

I am the luckiest duck in the entire world to have found this patio set.

It looks so highend and just like another set that I wanted, but it was so expensive.

Look at that detailing.

It’s SO NEXT LEVEL and it’s so unique.

You can buy the pieces individually or the entire set together.

You can see the entire set here.

And the sofa set here.

And the chair set here.

And the ottoman here.

5. Add a mini charcuterie board to every place setting

This worked out PERFECTLY at the dinner.

So many times with a charcuterie board people get overwhelmed.

Why not have a mini charcuterie for each person at the party?

I added cheese and fruit and nuts and meat to go along with the bread and salad.

These are the cutest charcuterie boards (and so affordable).

You can see them here.

// woven pillow //

6. Add pillows to chairs for extra comfort

I always like to treat any outside parties like I do any indoor parties.

And that means comfort.

Adding a pillow to a chair creates instant comfort (and helps people that are short like me keep their feet on the floor).

You can see this beautiful (and affordable) woven pillow here.

// serving caddy //

7. Keep all the party supplies in one place

Isn’t this serving caddy the cutest?

It has a handle and spaces for silverware, plates, napkins, and glasses.

And it’s under $20.

You can see it here.

// set of glasses //

8. Make ordinary water special

I drink water all the time, so I’ve started serving it at parties now (especially in cute glasses like these).

But why serve plain water when you can add a slice of lemon or lime or even strawberries or blueberries?

You can even create ice cubes with fruit frozen into them.

And you can see the glasses here.

// mini grazing board //

9. Add a mini grazing board

This is one of my favorite serving pieces ever.

I’ve used it for so many parties.

It comes on one long board with individual serving trays. You can adjust the trays and move them around and even lift them out and use them in separate locations during the party, too.

You can see the mini grazing board here.

// planter on a stand //

// basket planter// woven pillow //

10. Add a planter

There are so many amazing options for planters.

I love this basket planter that comes with its own plastic liner (and it’s under $10).

You can see it here.

And this planter on a stand with its own plastic liner, too, that works perfectly in a backyard setting.

You can see it here.

I use both of them with my beloved dipladenias.

//hyancinth basket //

//hyancinth basket //

11. Keep it simple

Do NOT overthink entertaining.

Truth?

While charcuterie boards and DIY’s and table settings are amazing.

It’s the HEART of entertaining that is truly special.

You see, in a day and age when fast food drive-throughs are dining rooms.

(total aside: no judgment here—I’m looking at you Chick fil A dinners.)

And family dinners are a thing that you see in the movies and many of us are like ships passing in the night from one busy to another busy…

…spending time together is a bright light in a dreary world.

So I’m setting my table.

And sitting down with my family (especially because everyone is coming back again next week to celebrate Denton’s birthday).

To press pause and LISTEN to the ordinary moments of an ordinary day.

To pull up a chair to the table and help them understand that they are loved.

Here’s to backyards everywhere.

And the people who love them.

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<!– Removed after blog post link 5-28-2019



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