OUTDOOR EATING ESSENTIALS
Since we’ve been so lucky with the weather this year (so far!), I’ve decided it’s time to fully stock up for all those impromptu barbecues and summer parties that are bound to arise. Here are a few outdoor eating essentials that I’ll be investing in.
MAGICAL MOOD ENHANCED LIGHTING
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Fairy lights and lanterns have the ability to make any setting utterly magical. You can leave them out all year round and even get solar powered lights or battery powered tea lights which turn on with a remote control to save you lighting 50 candles by hand!
CRATES, AND MORE CRATES!
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I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, hold onto those empty crates! They make for great side tables, dining tables, serving tables, or display tables. You can cover them with a tablecloth, if you’re going elegant, or leave them as they are for a more industrial, raw appearance.
PICNIC BASKET
Whether you’re traveling out to a park, a woodland, or simply from your kitchen to your garden, it’s always handy to have a sizeable picnic basket to transport the food. I prefer traditional wicker baskets to modern coolers, as they are quaint and old-school.
SERVING PLATTERS
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A long chopping board comes in handy for both indoor and outdoor entertaining. You can pile it up with cheese, cold cuts, fruit, and crudité. I’ll be investing in a few of these for the summer, to add to my collection of dishes.
LONG MATCHES
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This is something I always forget about! Long matches (or a long lighter) are essential for igniting barbecues and lighting lanterns or deep set candles. They’re a good thing to have around the house year round, but particularly during garden party season.
DRINK DISPENSERS
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I LOVE big water dispensers, the Kilner ones are great. Pop one or two outside, fill with water and fruit or with a punch and it will last ages. It will save you going in and out of the house for refills and will keep your guests hydrated all day long.
