Christmas is quite simply the most wonderful time of the year. The days are lighter and longer, the breeze is pleasant and warm, the end of the year is fast approaching and, grinches aside, everybody is in a good mood. It’s the perfect time to entertain. So here are some of our best festive entertaining ideas for you to make sure you have a very merry Christmas.
Make the most of the outside
While the weather is this good, it makes sense to make the most of outside. Set up outside tables and chairs, to maximise any outside space, although we recommend creating some cover in case of extreme weather.
If your Christmas entertaining is more informal, why not lay out rugs and floor cushions to open up your home to more friends and family.
Weather contingency
One thing to remember when it comes to festive entertaining is to have a weather contingency. Western Australia is generally blessed on the weather front, but Christmas can get very hot, so it’s worth factoring a covered entertaining area into your Christmas hosting, to make sure Santa doesn’t get sunstroke.
Make everyone comfortable
This can be a stressful time of year. While it’s easy to get caught up in the importance of a table plan, or let your budget run away with you, let us remind you that the most important thing is making everyone comfortable.
Seats and space for everyone
Invest in an outdoor furniture set with space for extras. We have a range of stylish benches that can be added to one side of a table to create extra seating. You could also look into storing extra stools and chairs in a garage in case you need them for larger gatherings.
Depending on the size of your garden (and your gathering), you might want to consider setting up two separate areas, with at least one of your garden entertaining areas shaded, so that there’s enough space for everyone.
Let them linger
Why not set up a couple of daybeds, allowing guests to relax and linger over your food and drinks. They could prove to be the perfect fallback, if any elderly relatives need a little Santa siesta, after a busy day of festive entertainment. Daybeds also provide the perfect backdrop for decoration. Why not decorate them with tinsel and other Christmas cheer, or opt for some of our bright but inexpensive cushions to make them comfortable and stylish?
No such thing as too much decoration
Whoever said less is more clearly wasn’t into Christmas. When it comes to Christmas entertaining in a beautiful place like Western Australia, why not make the most of the great outdoors and really go for it with your Christmas outside decoration ideas.
You could string tinsel along the hedges and perimeters as Christmas fence decoration, hang outside baubles from your trees and decorate your front door and bushes and trees with red ribbons. Whether you decide to go OTT or just have a tasteful wreath, Christmas yard decorations are an essential part of the silly season.
Make your Christmas entertaining easy for yourself
While you want your guests to have a great time, don’t neglect your own needs. This means preparing everything as much as you can in advance, so that you can really enjoy hosting Christmas on the day.
Preparation is key
Commandeer family members or neighbours to help you move furniture where it needs to go before guests arrive. This might mean transporting a coffee, dining table or bar from inside to outside, or grabbing a few chairs from another living space.
Accept help
It can be tempting to want to do everything yourself, but remember even Santa has elves. Accepting help when people offer to bring a plate, or help with a starter or a dessert will make everyone feel good.
Why not think about setting up a makeshift bar outside that will allow your guests to make their own drinks as well – it will get the festive mood flowing, and take the weight off of you.
The importance of good lighting
Good lighting is important for two reasons. Firstly, creating a warm glow for evening entertainment through the use of downlights, fairy lights or spotlights will create a relaxing and inviting atmosphere for your guests. You can also use the right lighting to accentuate any water features, statues or unique plant arrangements in the garden itself.
Go green
Another way to add an extra element to your Christmas entertaining is to make use of the greenery in your garden. If you have a large lawn, you’re perfectly placed to hold a garden party. You could have lawn games like jenga or croquet, depending on size, or serve tea, cakes and other drinks on trellis tables.
Plants and plant pots to create privacy
Even if your garden is more compact, you can incorporate greenery into your celebration. Bringing plant pots and decorative urns onto your patio or deck is a great way to section off areas and create structure, as well as helping to brighten up a space.
Create shade
Don’t forget how punishing the sun can be. Make sure you invest in sun umbrellas and consider a Bali hut, or create a seated area under shade, so that anyone who needs a break from the sun can relax and sit down on a chair or daybed too.
Prepare your spare room
Our final festive tip: it might be worth preparing your spare room, in case any of your guests get carried away in the Christmas spirit. Setting up water and aspirin on the bedside table and making sure a bed or daybed is made might be the very best gift you give someone this Christmas.
Contact us
At Prime Liquidations, we have a huge range of furniture for outdoor entertaining in the spring and all year round. We are known for our affordable price points, with designs to suit every style. Why not contact us or come into the showroom to check out an affordable range that’s sure to put a spring in your step.
