Spring is upon us, and it’s time to start planning your first big backyard party of the year! What sort of things will you need to prepare? There are several keys to throwing a successful backyard party, which will make sure your guests have a wonderful time and make them want to come back to your next party.
The Guest List
The most crucial question of every party planning process is, “Who are you going to invite?” It seems simple, but too many parties have been ruined by inviting people who don’t get along. If possible, make sure your guests will be cordial to each other. Besides, the guests for a kid’s party will be very different from those attending a retirement celebration. Knowing the guest list will make planning the rest of the party much simpler and straightforward.
Furniture
The second most important thing for most parties is making sure you have the right furniture. Do you have enough tables and chairs? As Larry David’s Fidel Castro once said on Seinfeld, “the problem with parties is you invariably have to eat standing up, which I don’t care for,” which might be a belief held by your guests as well! Always make sure to have enough chairs, a place for the guests to eat, and a table for food and beverages.
Food and Beverages
That leads us to concern number three, which is food and drinks. Remember to provide both diet and regular soft drinks, as most people tend to have a preference one way or the other. Consider a few hard options like alcohol popsicles and frozen margaritas. If children will be present, a selection of juices or milk might be a good idea as well.
For most backyard parties, the food situation should be light, but with a good variety. For example, potato chips have many flavors, and having the regular, salted type next to another (like sour cream and onion or salt and vinegar) is a good way to make sure your guests will have at least one option they like. If you plan on serving sandwiches, consider sliders or another type of small sandwich that can be easily eaten by guests in a few bites. If you have a grill, consider cooking small burgers over something like steak, which is more difficult to eat standing up.
If it’s possible, a small bonfire or a selection of candles might be a good idea. The flames and smoke will repel insects from landing on the food or your guests and can provide a little extra heat if your backyard party is taking place at night. A bonfire also allows you and your guests to roast hot dogs over the flame or marshmallows for making s’mores. Unfortunately, having a bonfire may not always be practical, depending on the amount of space, the neighbors, and local burning regulations.
Activities
Once you have the snacks and furniture arrangement sorted, the next thing to consider is which party games and other activities to offer guests. What will you and your guests be doing at this party? Many backyard parties just consist of conversations held between small groups of friends, but it’s always a good idea to have something planned just in case that doesn’t work.
One idea would be to have an outside game night. Depending on the space of your backyard, it could range from something small like a beanbag toss to something larger, like a game of capture the flag. In a pinch, you could play cards or board games outside, but if rain or wind is a possibility, it might be better to play inside or choose a game that doesn’t require any pieces easily lost or destroyed by water.
If you can’t decide what to make, what to serve, or how to entertain your guests, think about what you know about the people you’re inviting. If you invite your friend (who we’ll call Alissa) who loves Diet Coke, it might be nice to have a couple of cans in a cooler full of ice when she arrives. If she’s bringing her friend Jeremiah who loves bacon cheeseburgers and recently took the test to be on Jeopardy!, you could fire up the grill and host a team trivia game outside.
Conclusion
These are the most important things to think about when planning your backyard party. If your guests are fed, entertained, and comfortable, they’ll usually have a great time and they’ll always be happy to come back for your next backyard party!
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