It's time to clean up the patio furniture and get ready for outside entertaining. Here are my picks for the most stylish, useful and necessary items for the outdoor entertaining season.
1. Copper Firepit
Now you can have it all - the romance of a campfire without the nastiness of a porta potty. Place one of these in your yard and you can have intimate conversations, campfire songs, and roasted marshmallows all within steps of indoor plumbing.
2. Butter Boy
I met this cheerful fellow one year at the Fancy Food Show, and have been smitten with him ever since! Butter Boy is the mess-free way for guests to butter their corn at your next barbecue.3. Solar Path Lights
I don't know about you, but I hate stumbling around in the dark outside while carrying a drink and trying to maintain a coherent conversation. That's why solar path lights are such a nice idea. You just stick them in the ground and they magically turn themselves on just when the footing gets tricky at dusk. This may help to avoid a lot of spilled cocktails or distracted conversations.4. Portable Ice Maker
I know some people would put this on the top of their list, but I'm just not much of an ice person. But since most people are, you really want to have one of these by your outside bar in the summer. Just think of all those annoying trips back into the house to get another measly bucket of ice.
5. Copper Beverage Tub with Stand
I just love the elegant, rustic look (sounds like an oxymoron, no?) of this tub. It rests on a wrought iron base and is removable and light weight for easy carrying.
6. Umbrella Oilcloth Tablecloth
You probably won't use these for your sophisticated summer gathering, but for most other casual get togethers, you'll want to have one of these. I mean, why let the kids spill grape juice, or adults tip their glass of red all over your beautiful teak table? An easy velcro closure makes this a cinch to wrap around your umbrella patio table.7. 5 Piece Margarita Set
Margaritas are one of the classic summertime beverages. You'll want to have a margarita set with a pitcher and at least four glasses to keep the cocktails flowing.
8. Horchow Ceramic Drink Dispenser
These 2.75 gallon beverage dispensers come in three tropical colors and have glass lids and a plastic spigot. Perfect for multiple ice tea and lemonade refills throughout your party.
9. Melamine Dinnerware Set - Red
No one wants to lug heavy, breakable china outside for summer parties. Instead, purchase a supply of casual, festive melamine for summer parties. Buy a set of red plates and decorate with white and blue linens and other accents if your party has a patriotic theme.10. Resin Wicker Storage Bench
This dual purpose storage bench from Plow and Hearth will provide extra seating while hiding away those outdoor entertaining accessories when not in use. Keep pool toys, lawn games, towels, pillows, table cloths etc. neatly tucked away all season long.
