Organized Entertaining – Alfresco Dinner Party

Organized Entertaining – Alfresco Dinner Party

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Winter in Arizona offers sunny warm days and beautiful chilly nights. Once the temperature drops here in the desert, I love to plan alfresco dinner parties. By planning ahead, I eliminate the stress of hosting a dinner party.

Here are a few party planning tips to achieve an organized and carefree dinner party.

 

Setting the Table

I love to serve an alfresco dinner during the winter It allows my guests the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful desert sunset. To prepare for this dinner party, I began to take inventory of serving pieces needed four weeks in advance. I selected glass buffet plates as my primary and Blue Splatter Buffet Plates from Geese and Ganders as my chargers. The benefit of using the blue splatter plates is that they are paper and my dinner guests included two adorable toddlers. This would allow me to place a glass buffet plate at each setting except for my youngest guests.

After I selected my blue and white color scheme, I ordered name cards from  Pretty Paper Club two weeks before the dinner. I also order my rental tables, chairs, and linens two weeks in advance of the party.

 

Grab a Wrap + Get Cozy
To keep my guests comfortable and cozy, I set aside pashminas on the patio. A week in advance I take inventory of my pashmina wraps to ensure I have the correct amount for my guests to enjoy. That allows me time to wash and press the wraps.

S’Mores + More
An outdoor fire is not complete without S’mores. I recently discovered these extra large marshmallows at Safeway. I repurposed glass containers and vases to display the s’more ingredients. Two days before the party I begin to purchase dinner ingredients, wine, spirits, beverages, and flowers.

 

I love to celebrate special occasions and holidays with large sparklers. My family and friends have shared great laughs and memories with this tradition. I set up the sparklers in a large glass vase. I ordered Wedding Sparklers three weeks in advance of the party.

My goal for an well organized dinner party is to enjoy the evening with my guests. Planning ahead eliminates the last minute stress entertaining can cause. I hope my few tips help you to achieve a successful and carefree alfresco dinner.