This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of TIKI® Brand. All opinions are 100% mine.
Our family loves the lazy evenings of summer. The air is warm, crickets are chirping, breezes are blowing, and the pace is slower. We spend more time outside our home than inside, and that includes summer dinners outside…or al fresco. We eat outside most evenings once the weather warms up and let me tell you, the conversations we have as a family and with friends are priceless. There is just something about eating out in nature that allows everyone to relax and enjoy our time together.
So today, I want to share with you a few tips on creating your own summer dinner al fresco this summer!
Tip 1 : Create a Cozy Conversation Area
When we eat al fresco, it also usually involves grilling so I like to allow places for my family and friends to gather and get comfortable outside. That way, conversations begin while we are preparing the meal. So creating a cozy conversation area is a must for us. I chose funky patterned, outdoor pillows on our furniture to draw folks in.
Add a bit of warmth and ambiance to your sitting area with TIKI® Brand Table Torches.
TIP 2 : Keep The Menu Simple
Yep, simple! Being outside is part of the fun, preparing an elaborate meal does not have to keep you inside. Prepare a menu that involves quick side items and perhaps grilling the main course to keep the cook outside with family and friends. We take advantage of all the summer veggies that are in season, so we always have a salad with our meal.
The salad makes the table even more colorful. I love layering my place setting, just makes everything more festive and my children feel like we are having a special meal each night.
Keeping the menu simple allows more time with family and friends.
Kabobs are a great choice for an al fresco summer dinner. Pretty and delicious! TIKI® Brand Table Torches are a perfect accent to your dinner table.
TIP 3: Create Beautiful Lighting
Lighting can make or break a get together. Dining al fresco allows you the opportunity to create some beautiful ambiance with lighting. TIKI® Brand has a number of great choices for your outdoor lighting needs. The warm glow of a flame can set the perfect mood for your dinner.
The table torches are a great way to add the warm glow of a flame with the beauty of the glass container.
TIP 4: Continue the Evening after Dinner
The atmosphere created by eating outside can continue right into the later hours after dinner has been eaten. We have teenagers and have found that once the conversations have begun, they can go on for hours. So why not create an area to enjoy dessert and coffee after dinner al fresco!
The TIKI® Brand torches are great choices for lighting up the night with just the right amount of ambiance. Settle back in some comfy chairs, grab a lightweight blanket and a cup of coffee and you have the perfect ending to your summer dinner al fresco!
Need a little music for your summer dinner al fresco? TIKI® Brand has created some awesome playlists for you to enjoy!
Now to help you create your own summer dinners al fesco, TIKI® Brand is hosting a fabulous giveaway for our readers.
Giveaway includes:
1 Glowing Table Torch
1 Bottle Citronella Torch Fuel
1 Snap and Pour Spout
Enter via rafflecopter below. Good Luck!
Trish Flake
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I had no idea TIKI made such beautiful torches. I redid my front seating area this year and I usually place some run-of-the-mill torches up there but these are so pretty I’ll be adding them to my shopping list for outdoor entertaining.
Everything looks so beautiful and delicious! I need some Tiki torches on my deck!
OOOOH! I don’t have anywhere to stick one in the ground but I LOVE torches. This is perfect!!
I had NO idea that there were that many different kinds of TIKI torches! Very fun!
What a gorgeous spread and the Tiki Lamps add so much!
Elegant tablescape!
Love the tips and the decor!!!
By the way, I would love to have you post on my new blog hop—the Weekend Blog Hop at My Flagstaff Home (www.myflagstaffhome.com). It begins on Thursday evenings and lasts through the weekend, if you’re interested.
Jennifer
Your outdoor space is beautiful. I love your tablescape, and the dinner looked delicious!!!
Love that glowing table torch and my mom would like it too. Thanks for the ideas! ~Tay