Taking the Traditional Holiday Dinner Outside

If you’re looking to create the most memorable holiday dinner that your family and friends will talk about for years, take it outside to your beautiful patio! Outdoor living can’t be better when you have the option to create the perfect ambiance with lighting, water, and other features that give you just the right atmosphere. The following are some ideas on how you can prepare your patio for the best outdoor holiday dinner.

Lighting That Sets the Mood

If you have flood lighting in your outdoor space, it might be nice for more playful parties, but when you’re serving up a holiday meal, you want more ambiance. Accent lighting can give a focal point to a certain feature on the patio, and will also give off a dim glow for that perfect mood lighting. Dim spread landscape lighting also creates a romantic feel, perfect for that intimate gathering. You could also include some fun lights on the table as part of your décors, such as tea candles in colored jars or a string of white lights.

Water Features for a Subtle Sound

Nothing is more relaxing than the sounds of water. Whether it’s a trickle, a rush, a bubble, or a flow, the sounds of the water will set your guests at ease. With so many different water features available, you can have installed the perfect feature for your yard, which will also add to the setting for your holiday dinner. Consider one of the following:

• Private Pond

  – Sitting next to a private pond for dinner allows guests something to talk about. With plant life and wildlife that abounds in water, it adds some fun relaxation to your evening.

• Fountain

  – Your yard can truly become an oasis with a fountain installed. Whether it’s a tall, cascading waterfall or a small stone feature, fountains take you out of the yard and place you in a tropical paradise.

• Stream

  – Whether it leads to the pond or flows from the waterfall, a trickling stream gives your yard that added dimension for any occasion.
  In any of your water features, you can add more in terms of décor by using floating tea candles. They add to the ambiance, and they add to the fun.

Decorations to Make the Space Stand Out

To really make your holiday dinner stand out, don’t forget the perfect decorations. Hiring a holiday decorating service will ensure all your trees and shrubs are adorned with the right holiday lights. You can order props and other displays to showcase whichever holiday you’re celebrating. Whether for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another occasion, don’t forget to add to the fun by going over the top with decorations.

A Sitting Area That’s Comfortable

You want your guests to be as comfortable as they are in awe of the beauty of their surroundings, so it’s important your sitting area is just right. Whether it’s an extension of your indoor living space or space all its own, make sure the seats are cushioned with decorative patterns that complete the look of your yard.
A pergola pulls the area together for an intimate setting, while also keeping the rain out should the holidays prove wet this year. Adjacent to your sitting area, your outdoor kitchen should provide a place to throw together last-minute food items, as well as provide a place to keep your food warm. Paths and patios should be tidy, fresh, and made with the latest in quality products.

To prepare your sitting area and outdoor kitchen area, be sure you have taken the time to replace mulch and ground covers, deadhead any flowerbeds, and remove any dead vines that are hanging on to the pergola. While it’s beautiful if they’re alive, they can destroy the ambiance and atmosphere with such unsightly things.

Getting Started With Help From the Professionals

To get your patio in the best shape for your outdoor holiday meal, contact Plant Professionals. As experts in outdoor lighting, water features, paths, and patios. We’ll make sure your outdoor space is ready for all those guests. Contact us today at 305-259-0503 to learn more or to request an estimate.