10 Ideas for Outdoor Entertaining During the Holidays
‘Tis the season to entertain! It may be winter but, when you live in a place as beautiful as San Diego, there is no reason not to bring the fun outside! Outdoor entertaining offers more space, fresh air, and a variety of options to spice up your holiday party! Check out 10 of our favorite ideas for taking your holiday entertaining outdoors 🙂
1. BUILD A HOLIDAY THEMED BAR
This is an absolute must! Create a self-serve bar to help your guests warm up a bit. Alongside the usual staples, consider making a fun seasonal drink for the evening. One of our go-to’s is Spiced Sangria. It’s easy to make and one pitcher will go a long way! Throw it into a glass beverage dispenser, surround with simple holiday decorations, and allow your guests to enjoy.
2. PROVIDE A FUN ACTIVITY
Take advantage of the space that you have outdoors by planning fun yard games. Don’t worry adults, this isn’t just for kids! A few of our favorites are cornhole, giant Jenga, and Spikeball. Not only will these activities add a fun twist to your party, but it will make your guests more engaged with each other.
3. BRING THE MUSIC
Music sets the vibe for the whole evening. Decide (before your guests arrive) what atmosphere you want to create! If you’re in a festive mood, break out your favorite holiday playlist. If you’re looking for a more relaxed and laid-back environment, play some soft, ambient music.
4. LIGHT IT UP
Bring a soft glow to your outdoor entertaining with the use of string lights. Skip the traditional candle and opt-in for a tangle of string lights or LED wire lights. Consider putting lights inside a candle holder or hung over the main entertaining area or bar to bring a magical twinkle to the party! This step is particularly important because the sun goes down so much earlier in the winter months and you don’t want your guests sitting in the dark!
5. OUTDOOR PLACE SETTINGS
If you are planning on a traditional holiday meal at your party, consider a change in your outdoor place settings when taking it outside. When you have a large number of guests that exceed the space of your dining room, expanding the event space into your yard is the perfect solution! Incorporate greens and a woodsy centerpiece into simplistic place settings to pull from the colors nature.
6. COFFEE BAR
Just as the makeshift bar, find a simple piece of furniture such as a side table or nightstand and take it outside for a coffee & hot chocolate bar. This is the perfect set-up to offer your guests multiple locations to hang out in your outdoor living space. Provide coffee, hot chocolate, cups, or even small desserts at the table for before or after dinner snacking. If you decide to forego a traditional dinner, this is a fantastic location to provide several small appetizers to fill your guests up without the hours of preparation on your end!
7. SANTA’S WORKSHOP
Naturally, children will be full of excitement as we get closer to the holiday season. Set up a small corner outside including Santa’s bag, a naughty and nice list, or small treats for the kids. Better yet, have Santa make an appearance for all the children! (We can’t provide you with any advice on how to convince one of your friends to put on a Santa costume, that’s all on you!)
8. BRING THE COMFORT
There is nothing more relaxing than sharing some quality time with friends and family around a fire. Everyone has extra blankets and pillows lying around their house. Set up those extra comfy throws to create a space for memorable moments by the fire. For an extra special touch, bring out marshmallows, graham crackers, and peppermint chocolate for some holiday s’mores!
9. BOARD GAMES
Board games are no longer just for kids! If you’re looking to keep the night interactive and light-hearted, implement games such like Clue, Monopoly, and Apples to Apples/Cards Against Humanity into your party for some light-hearted fun.
10. RELAX
As the holiday season approaches, so does the stress. Make your holiday entertaining as easy as possible with these ideas and don’t forget to enjoy the season with your friends and family!
We hope you enjoy these ideas! Wishing you all an incredible holiday season!