How to put on an intimate outdoor celebration
If you're planning on celebrating a birthday, job promotion, handing in your master's thesis or any other event, why not make the most of the warmer days and natural surroundings.
Draw inspiration from our tips and see how beautiful and original our idea is for putting together an intimate outdoor meal. It might be for you or as a surprise for someone special. The result is impressive and the best thing is you'll hardly spend a thing. Fancy this idea? Let's go!
Create a small canopy using textiles
As you know, this meal is to celebrate something rather important and extraordinary, so we want to give the space a touch of je ne sais quoi too. That's why we didn't hesitate to design a wonderful little canopy.
Canopies are amazing and even more so on this occasion. As well as being a great way to decorate the dining area and create the most festive of settings, canopies are very useful at protecting us from the sun and providing a bit of shade (which is always a bonus in the summer). But don't forget the sunscreen!
If you have a collapsible canopy, just make sure that you fix it securely to the ground with nails and weigh it down. If you need to make your own though, you have a few different options: you can hang fabrics over tree branches (making sure that they are strong enough), or you can tie ropes between several points on trees (if the trees are close enough together) and hang fabric over the ropes.
Textiles are what give the setting that magical feel. For this, you can play around with fabrics to create walls.
In this example, we wanted to put the spotlight on just one area so as not to go overboard. Do you like the spring print? We kept the other fabrics in a bright white. Oh! And we've added some pennants, although you can also leave it without anything or even put a strip with photos.
As well as decorating the structure itself, we have to think of how to make sure that it's not all style over comfort. To do this, there's nothing like gathering up a load of different sized cushions to create a comfy space. Don't skimp on cushions, as they'll all get used. You can use pouffes to create a seating area or as side tables too.
You can also add a blanket or mats on the floor to make it a little more comfy and to cover up any stones on the ground. This way, everyone will feel right at home in this laid-back setting.
Prepare simple, delicious appetisers
Now that we've created the perfect setting, let's move on to one of the other key points: the food. For special occasions like this, we'll show you different ways to make unique, mouth-watering appetisers.
The main thing is to think about what each guest likes and try to choose a menu that best suits everyone. Don't forget to also cater to allergies and intolerances.
When transporting food, make sure that it arrives in perfect condition and can withstand the heat by using glass food containers (even if they weigh a little more). In our case, we went for individual salads in jars. Add ice blocks to your bag or cooler for extra freshness.
Thanks to larger and more elongated glass platters and boards, we were able to fit the rest of the appetisers without any problem. You can also bring a plastic plate or bowl if someone finds that easier. Did you know ours are reusable? It's a more sustainable alternative to single-use.
Why not serve up your drinks with an original twist in small bottles like these. They actually keep everything much cooler because of the glass and the airtight stopper. An added touch for the guests! One more tip: if you don't want any unexpected surprises, take a tray with you to keep drinks on a more stable surface.
Celebrate in style, basking in the sun, natural surroundings and good food. If you want more inspiration for your outdoor plans or home events, check out this special selection of top ideas:
We love it when customers use our products in a creative way. Why not try to do something new with them yourself? But do remember, any modifications or changes that you make to IKEA products will prevent them from being resold or used for their original purpose, thus invalidating IKEA product warranties and your right to return them.
