Be a pro at outside entertaining this festive season

There’s always the weather to consider when you want to go al fresco this festive season. Here are some tips to make it an all-around hit …

• Plenty of shade
South Africans love to soak up the sun, but you don’t want guests more frazzled than the turkey skin, so make sure there is plenty of shade. If you’re around the pool, make sure kiddies put on sunblock and even guests sitting in intermittent shade are UV protected. You can throw in some hats and colourful umbrellas for guests to use.

• Create space
If your cosy patio is suddenly going to have to accommodate 20 people, extend it with a stretch tent or simple gazebo. These are great for children’s tables and they enjoy being away from the adults to get on with their own thing under their special tent in the garden.

You can make some rugs and picnic blankets available too and encourage guests to find their ideal spot in the garden. This makes for a really relaxed and informal get-together.

• Plan the menu
When the atmosphere is fun in the sun, why not make the food fun too? Nobody wants to be stressed out and standing in the kitchen for hours when your guests have arrived and want to relax.

With careful menu planning, you can nail a meal that can easily be adapted to whatever takes the mood at your party. For example, a bring-and-braai is always a winner and immediately sets the mood for a relaxed summer outing with good friends and family.

A heavy meal served piping hot may go down a treat in colder countries, but in SA we want quick, easy, delicious and … cold! Why not make a grazing table filled with delectable morsels.

There are umpteen examples and ideas on the internet. This is always a hit because your guests can literally nibble all day long. As items on the grazing table are depleted, you simple refill them – or not. Keep space for dessert; something nice and refreshing. Decide what will fit in and what is easiest to serve.

• Expect the unexpected
The weather may start off brilliantly and end in a massive thunderstorm and wind. Many stretch tents have sides you can drop, or ensure you can quickly move guests – and your delicious spread – into an area of your home to get out of the rain.

The best advice is to check the weather. Most platforms give you detailed, blow-by-blow, updates, which makes it easy to determine what time will be best to serve what and when you may need to start subtly ushering guests inside.

• Get help
Many hands make light work and when it comes to entertaining, sometimes the more hands the better.
Get the family mobilised well in advance and assign tasks – shopping, decorations, place names, lighting, music, etc.

Have a weekly catch-up to see how everyone is getting along with their tasks and tweak where necessary. Remember, your one special occasion over the festive season should not break the bank either. Work out and stick to a budget!