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Natalie Weinstein is President of |
| I hope all of you had a great Memorial Day- perhaps celebrating with friends and family or just taking some well needed quiet time for yourself to relax and unwind. For the slow starters among us, it probably was a weekend of getting the pool ready, trying to organize outdoor play equipment, fixing bicycles so you can actually ride them, cleaning the outdoor furniture or buying new cushions, making the grill ready for use, hopefully checking hoses and tubes as well as cleaning the racks thoroughly. And how is the yard looking? There are many plants in pots that can decorate your porch and patios and still many in-the-ground plants to bring color to your garden. In short are you getting ready for the shortest fun time, between the 4th of July and Labor Day, to enjoy the outdoors? If the answer is yes, then you are all set to make the most of those lazy days of summer. (Who said that?). So let’s all look forward to summer entertaining when the inside of your house gets to stay “company neat” because the major space used is the great outdoors. Outdoor entertaining is far more relaxed, but once again, good planning can help you enjoy your guests, stress free. So make your shopping list before you get to the super market to avoid run backs. Find some “summer pretty” dishwasher safe plastic dishes and “go withs” so no one is worried about breakage, or great looking heavy duty paper goods that can just be trashed. Set up your entertaining area in advance to make sure you have enough tables and seating. Stock up on insect repellent, antihistamine for bug bites, and citronella pots. And what about an ice chest? While you’re out shopping – ask yourself if you need a few more fun games for kids as well as adults, like badminton or croquet? Are there enough pool toys to go around? And here’s a terrific crowd pleaser-a karaoke machine! I found a great portable one two summers ago and it was the best party mixer when guests don’t know each other. They instantly become new friends through music. If you're worried about annoying the neighbors, just invite them! Setting an outdoor table is fun and easy. Just see what’s growing in your garden and fill some vases with fresh flowers for table dressing. I like to place my tables for guests on the lawn and create shade over them with standing umbrellas. I have a variety of colorful tablecloths that go together but aren’t matching, and plastic dishes that co-ordinate. I set up the bar and main buffet table on the patio and have the barbeque off to the side – but not too far – so guests can visit with the chef and talk about the Yankees. I love it when people ask if they can bring something they like to cook. It adds real flavor to the event in more ways than one. My guest list is always varied and there’s a smorgasbord of people as well as food. So if you’ve been meaning to return invitations all winter, use the summer as a happy time to entertain while keeping wear and tear on your home to a minimum. Please e-mail some of your favorite summer entertaining tips to info@natalieweinstein.com. |
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20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 