Outdoor entertaining takes a lot of consideration and planning, especially when it comes to special family holidays like Thanksgiving. Celebrating and eating Thanksgiving dinner outside is not just like any other casual outdoor meal. You should not lose the specialness of the holiday celebration because you are hosting it outside. Good food, family, and an enjoyable setting are what set the tone for a successful outdoor Thanksgiving feast.
Get the Furniture Together – Think Comfortable and Cosy
Sitting together comfortably is one of the greatest joys of this special holiday. Think of how uncomfortable everyone would feel sitting on hard chairs. Unless you plan to move your indoor dining room furniture outside, you may have to invest in comfortable, thick chairs or chair cushions to encourage your guests to linger at the table a little longer.
Plan Your Menu Ahead of Time
Maximize your prepping and cooking time by making a list of the dishes that you want to serve for the holiday. Consider any special dietary needs of your guests. Enlist the help of other family members by asking them to bring a dish, so that you don’t over extend yourself. Once you assign everyone a dish, write down all of the ingredients that you need to cook. Use this list for grocery shopping. Make certain you have enough plates and utensils for everyone.
Decor and Design
The decor is what really sets the tone and atmosphere for this holiday celebration. Have an idea of how you want to decorate your tables. Decide whether you want to use a harvest table or separate tables that seat anywhere from four to eight people each. Get the kids involved with the decoration project to keep your costs down. Easy thanksgiving tabletop craft ideas include votive candles wrapped in tamale-making husks, miniature pumpkins painted with a monogram of your guest’s initials and handmade place cards. Consider setting up separate tables for deserts and drinks instead of having everything set in one remote location. Spreading these items out encourages guests to roam and socialize.
Have a Backup Plan in Place
There aren’t any guarantees when it comes to planning outdoor events. It is important to have a backup plan in the event the weather is not great that day. Make certain that you have everything you need to move the feast indoors at the last minute if needed. Have an idea of the seating arrangement and how to serve the food.
Activities to Keep the Kids and Adults Busy
Take advantage of the outdoor space. Allow the kids to run and play until they are tired. Set up a special play area with toys and other fun activities. If you want to organize a little more structured activities, plan a scavenger hunt that the entire group will enjoy. Pumpkin painting and holiday-themed coloring sheets are a few fun activities that will keep the kids busy.
Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday that brings families together. It is important that everything goes as smooth as possible. In order to have a successful feast, you have to shop and plan early. Starting at least a week before your dinner will provide you with ample time to plan an amazing dinner outdoors.
Author Josh Henderson lives in sunny Houston, Texas, and hopes the weather holds up to have an outdoor Thanksgiving feast this year. He recently had a flagstone patio installed this summer and cannot wait to enjoy more family gatherings in his backyard.
