NHG - Would you come to this party/enjoy it?

[mrs.jacinthe]

We're considering hosting a little get-together of some of H's coworkers/friends, etc. It would probably be a barbeque and ice cream social with burgers/hot dogs, home-made ice cream, sundae toppings, and probably a DIY ice-cream sandwich "bar" (homemade cookies of relatively uniform size), plus some adult-type beverages. 8 people total.

Our house is TINY and we don't have anywhere inside to seat those 8 people - at least not all in the same room at the same time. However, w have an AWESOME deck with an even more awesome view. It's probably about 400+ sq ft (bigger than our inside living space.) So I was thinking we can just have the whole thing outside. Light the tiki-torches, turn on the outdoor speakers, etc. This would probably be in mid-September on a Friday night. Temperature here will likely be pretty comfortable and it will most likely NOT rain here until at least October, so no weather worries.

If you were a guest at a party where the entire party was outside, except for bathroom usage ... do you think that would be weird? What sorts of things would you need/want for an outdoor party like that? What am I overlooking?

[mrsemilys]

I think it sounds awesome! I think if you have a good set up for all the food and some way to keep bugs off the food then bring the ice cream out when it's time it will work! Also, a cooler with some drinks alcoholic and not and an ice bucket and I think you're set. If you don't have a table for everyone to sit at and eat make sure you have strong plates (if you're doing disposables) so it's easier to eat on your lap.

Can I come?

[thewop]

I don't think it's weird at all. It's a backyard BBQ.....in the backyard. It sounds casual and fun. I had my DD's baptism party outside. The only time people went inside was to get food or use the bathroom, other than that, eveyone was outside. No issues. Even our grandparents spent the entire time outside.

Maybe set up some yard games for people to play? Washers, bean bags (or corn hole, or whatever else people call it), stuff like that.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Aug 21, 2012 10:08:49 GMT -5 mrsemilys said:

If you don't have a table for everyone to sit at and eat make sure you have strong plates (if you're doing disposables) so it's easier to eat on your lap.

Can I come?

Great idea about the plates. I'm sure it wouldn't even have occurred to me. We have a lot of lounge chairs but no full-size table.

Yep, you can come. September 14th (probably) around 6:30-7ish ...

[mrs.jacinthe]

Aug 21, 2012 10:12:59 GMT -5 thewop said:

I don't think it's weird at all. It's a backyard BBQ.....in the backyard. It sounds casual and fun. I had my DD's baptism party outside. The only time people went inside was to get food or use the bathroom, other than that, eveyone was outside. No issues. Even our grandparents spent the entire time outside.

Maybe set up some yard games for people to play? Washers, bean bags (or corn hole, or whatever else people call it), stuff like that.

We don't actually have a useable yard. Just a giant deck on a sloping hillside. Do you think it would be weird to set up cornhole on the deck?

[thewop]

Aug 21, 2012 10:14:22 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

Aug 21, 2012 10:12:59 GMT -5 thewop said:

I don't think it's weird at all. It's a backyard BBQ.....in the backyard. It sounds casual and fun. I had my DD's baptism party outside. The only time people went inside was to get food or use the bathroom, other than that, eveyone was outside. No issues. Even our grandparents spent the entire time outside.

Maybe set up some yard games for people to play? Washers, bean bags (or corn hole, or whatever else people call it), stuff like that.

We don't actually have a useable yard. Just a giant deck on a sloping hillside. Do you think it would be weird to set up cornhole on the deck?

Do you have a side yard, or front yard? Even if it's not super close to the deck, it might be something people can do to besides sit and talk. Plus some friendly competition could be a good thing If you have space on the deck, I don't see a problem. If it works, it works, if it doesn't, it doesn't. You don't even have to completely set it up, you can just have it out, and if people really want to play, they'll find space. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[kaylie]

I don't think it's weird either. I like being outside - it feels more casual.

[roselis]

Not weird. Most of my parties end up happening outside. You get to my deck from the dinig room so we set the food and drinks up there and people come in to get food and drink and then head back out

[Deleted]

Aug 21, 2012 10:04:25 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

We're considering hosting a little get-together of some of H's coworkers/friends, etc. It would probably be a barbeque and ice cream social with burgers/hot dogs, home-made ice cream, sundae toppings, and probably a DIY ice-cream sandwich "bar" (homemade cookies of relatively uniform size), plus some adult-type beverages. 8 people total.

Our house is TINY and we don't have anywhere inside to seat those 8 people - at least not all in the same room at the same time. However, w have an AWESOME deck with an even more awesome view. It's probably about 400+ sq ft (bigger than our inside living space.) So I was thinking we can just have the whole thing outside. Light the tiki-torches, turn on the outdoor speakers, etc. This would probably be in mid-September on a Friday night. Temperature here will likely be pretty comfortable and it will most likely NOT rain here until at least October, so no weather worries.

If you were a guest at a party where the entire party was outside, except for bathroom usage ... do you think that would be weird? What sorts of things would you need/want for an outdoor party like that? What am I overlooking?

I live in the land of outdoor summer parties. Everyone here actually lives for and prefers them. But then again in MN it's only nice 4 months of the year...no one wants to spend it inside.

What you have sounds good. My best advice is just don't get worked/care if some people choose to migrate to your LR. I know people who shriek, "But the party is outside!!" Umm...really...we get it...let it go..lol.

Outside parties are the best because you can keep it simple but still classy.

Also, don't buy the crappy paperware...makes a mess esp. outside!

[mrsemilys]

Aug 21, 2012 10:13:16 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

Aug 21, 2012 10:08:49 GMT -5 mrsemilys said:

If you don't have a table for everyone to sit at and eat make sure you have strong plates (if you're doing disposables) so it's easier to eat on your lap.

Can I come?

Great idea about the plates. I'm sure it wouldn't even have occurred to me. We have a lot of lounge chairs but no full-size table.

Yep, you can come. September 14th (probably) around 6:30-7ish ...

Perfect. See you then!

[minniebee]

Not weird. It's a BBQ - I would expect to be outside.

We had an outdoor party for 40 people last weekend.

[statlerwaldorf]

Not at all. I love outdoor parties. I would consider getting something to keep the mosquitoes away and get some sort of covers for your food to keep the bugs off.

You get bonus points if you have a fire pit.

[adhdfashion]

You had me at ice cream. :Y:

[bethaboo]

This party sounds like a lot of fun! Outdoor parties are great in the early fall.

[Susie]

It doesn't seem weird to me. My parents used to throw an all-outdoors clam steam every Columbus Day weekend when I was younger. They also had an all-outdoors wedding in their backyard for one of my cousins.

As long as you have seats for everyone I think you're fine. Don't overthink!

[sjh722]

Sounds like fun. Another vote for don't overthink it - people host outdoor cookouts all the time.

[ckinla]

I think it sounds fun and I hate parties :-)

[treedimensional]

That's the way most people party in my neighborhood, so yes, I'd come and I'd enjoy it.
To say I'd enjoy it MUCH more than an inside party would be a gross understatement.

[annadala]

I have hosted and attended many an outdoor only party. :-) I'd totally go.

Just make sure no one is allergic to milk or stash some soy or sorbet somewhere in case. I can take a Lactaid pill and be fine but I know a lot of other people aren't as lucky as me so I'm super careful when we have dairy!

[sawyerthedestroyer]

When we have a bunch of people over we always wind up in the backyard. I think that sounds like fun!

[Deleted]

No not at all. As long as the weather is nice I would prefer to be outside rather then in.

[rosiedozie]

Not weird - that sounds awesome!