Tips for Entertaining Outdoors with TIKI® Brand

The grass is always greener … outside. While your favorite show may always be on Netflix to watch, when the weather gets warmer there’s no better way to spend your evening than listening to cicadas buzz and enjoying the summertime breeze. And the best way to relish these warm weather evenings is with a little added ambiance with lighting and no mosquito bites! That’s why whether we’re entertaining, roasting marshmallows, or just chilling on the porch, we love TIKI® Brand Torches for some fun and functional additional lighting, minus the mosquitos. With the change in the weather, we’ve already been enjoying entertaining outdoors using these TIKI® Brand Island King Large Flame Torches. As well as these colorful TIKI® Brand Glowing Torches & Table Torches too. (Pssst … there’s a TIKI® Brand giveaway package here too! Be sure to see details below.) The TIKI® Brand Glowing Torches & Table Torches are quite stunning and unique. They combine a natural flame with a LED light that illuminates the handcrafted glass from within changing from red, blue and green. So cool! Kids will love these. I think they’d be a great addition to a pool birthday party with adult supervision of course! Entertaining outside is something we really do enjoy. Sometimes we have time to plan ahead for gathering, but many times it’s very last minute, spur-of-the-moment type of get-togethers. They always seem to be the best occasions! We’ve learned some things over the years to help with entertaining outdoors, especially the impromptu gatherings, so we can be pretty much ready for a crowd at any given last-moment. Here are 7 Tips for Entertaining Outdoors:

1. Music: We always, ALWAYS have music playing when entertaining. Music can instantly change the mood from blah and boring to fun and festive.

• Lighting: Outdoor lighting is important when entertaining in the evenings. It shouldn’t be blinding, but instead provide enough light to safely see and create that relaxed ambiance that every party needs. That’s why we like to use TIKI® Brand Torches when entertaining outside. Plus they’re easy to set up and store when not in use. It’s like an instant party when a TIKI® Brand Torch is lit! By the way, you can get these at WalMart.

• Seating and Table: Comfortable seating and a place for your food and/or drink is a must when entertaining outdoors. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. Look for inexpensive outdoor seating and dining sets on clearance at the end of season sales, make your own or gather a bunch of blankets and throw pillows along with TV trays and have a picnic party.

• Mosquito Control: If mosquitos are a problem in your area, be prepared to control them with plants and citronella candles or torches, like TIKI® Brand Torches. They not only provide the perfect amount of lighting for guests, but help deter mosquitos too.

• Simple decorations: When entertaining outdoors you don’t need a lot in the way of decorating—nature is the best decoration! But simple potted plants or special lighting like these fun TIKI® Brand Glowing Torch & Table Torches. They add a little extra something to help create a festive atmosphere.

• A collection of unbreakable dishware that can handle mishaps outside: Put out large serving bowls, pitchers or drink dispensers, and of course a stockpile of reusable plastic cups or tumblers.

• No-fuss Menu: Keep the food simple. Stock up on ingredients so you’re prepared to make some simple crowd favorites, like Key Lime Pie Dip, or Double Dark Chocolate Cookies. You’ll enjoy your company and be more relaxed for really connecting with guests the less you have to hassle in the kitchen.

Now you have a chance to win your very own TIKI® Brand package. How fun is that?!? Giveaway Details: One person will be randomly chosen to win a TIKI® Brand package (that can also be purchased at Walmart) including: 2 TIKI® Brand Glowing Torches + 1TIKI® Brand Glowing Table Torch + 1 64oz TIKI® Brand Torch Fuel + 1 Snap & Pour = Retail Value $102.95 To enter to win, just answer this question: “How does the TIKI® Brand help to create the perfect environment for your outdoor entertaining?”  Sweepstakes Rules:  No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods: 1.     Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post 2.     Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post 3.     Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post 4.     For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 5/19/2014-7/4/2014. Be sure to visit theTIKI® Brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!   This post is sponsored by TIKI® Brand, but as always, all opinions are my own.