Your Guide to Stress-Free Summer Entertaining

Focus on No-Heat Foods

When the temperatures rise outside, no one wants to stand over a stove to cook a meal for a dinner party. Instead of setting up a menu that requires you to turn on an oven or stove, plan your summer menu around no-cook foods. Lean into fancy salads, sandwiches and charcuterie plates that won’t heat up your kitchen but will impress your guests just the same. If you want to create a more engaging party, consider a “build-your-own” sandwich bar or pasta salad bar so your guests can DIY without a lot of prep on your end. 

And before you consider baking a cake or making cookies, consider alternative dessert options. Blow your guests away by making your own signature ice cream for the event with QVC’s wide variety of ice cream makers or let them in on the fun with a DIY s’mores bar using the Nostalgia Electric S'Mores Maker w/ 2 Roasting.

Add the Ambience

You don’t have to renovate your entire outdoor space to create an oasis outside. In fact, a few simple touches can turn a boring deck into an inviting space. Surround your deck with Garden Reflections 12" Metal Lantern With Light or set out Garden Reflections 18" Metal Solar Lantern w/ Faux Candle to add a “flame” that isn’t a fire hazard.  

If your party is during the day, line your outdoor tables with small planted cacti or succulents to lend a summer-y vibe without worrying whether a floral centerpiece will wilt in the hot sun. 

Keep Guests out of the Sun

If you’re hosting a daytime event or a brunch, it’s important to keep your guests comfortable so folks don’t start to trickle out early. Set up an easy gazebo such as Backyard Expressions Pop-up Outdoor Tent Gazebo to keep your friends and family out of the sun. 

Make sure to set up a sunblock bar as soon as guests come in to encourage people to slather up throughout the day. Another great idea if you have a lot of open lawn is to set up picnic areas with umbrellas and blankets for people to spread out while staying out of the sun. 

Have a Place to Store Outdoor Items

Cleaning before your guests get to your house shouldn’t be a big effort. If you have a lot of outdoor toys and gadgets that you don’t want cluttering up your outdoor space, invest in a storage option such a Honey-Can-Do Large Outdoor Storage Deck Box, 100 Gallon to keep your stuff out of sight. 

When your party is over, ask guests if they can toss their outdoor cushion or pillow on their way out to make clean up even easier. 

Keep Everyone Busy

As the host, it’s your job to keep your guests entertained. But that doesn’t mean you have to stress about keeping them occupied all party long. Instead, set up lawn games such as Hey! Play! Battle Volleyball Outdoor Tournament Game Set or AAA Innovations Classic Wood Cornhole Board Game so your guests can entertain themselves and you can focus on keeping the party going. 

Up Your Grill Game

A summer party is no time to spend all day in a kitchen. If cold, no-cook meals aren’t for you, lean into your grill instead. Throw burgers and hot dogs on the grill and put your “grillmaster” guest in charge of turning the meat so you can walk around and entertain guests. If you want to give your guests a more interactive experience, a fun tabletop grill such as BergHOFF Tabletop Charcoal BBQ Grill is a great way to start conversations between guests and break the ice, especially when your party has a lot of attendees who don’t already know each other. Just be sure to prep sides and snacks in advance so they have access to munchies while they cook.

Set Up an Outdoor Bar

A host wants to ensure everyone is having a great time, but they also should have a great time, too. Instead of always refilling drinks, bring the booze (or non alcoholic options) outside with a cooler or a product such as Glitzhome Rustic Galvanized Metal Beverage TubW/Bottle Opener. Set out koozies for cans of beer or soda or HOST Set of (4) Wine FREEZE Cooling Cups for your guests to comfortably sip their chilled drinks all afternoon.