Entertain outside right through fall, by creating warm and inviting spaces.

I’m usually a hold out for Indian Summer – a true believer that it will come and temporarily relieve us of the fall chill. Not this time; fall seems to have dropped in a few weeks early. With that, comes my foreboding about the months ahead, being locked in the house with my loving but rambunctious brood. I can picture too the commotion in our kitchen, the bottleneck around the island at every future gathering we host and I long for a few more weeks with the option to push them out the back door. So, I’m going for it. If you’re a friend of mine reading this, thank you- we’ll square up later. Secondly, I’m putting you on alert: don’t come over without a sweatshirt because we will be snuggled outside until the snow begins to fly.

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How beastly of me! Here’s how I propose to get away with it. First, I’ll set expectations. Guests have to know ahead of time that they’ll be outside and to dress accordingly. Allow for movement between entertaining areas; we’ve hosted late summer movie viewings before and as fun as the occasion is, they’re often really cold (because we’re sedentary the entire time). Create different spaces that will invite people to mingle (and keep their blood flowing).

This is where we started. It’s our great room in-waiting, otherwise known as our attached barn. Ninety percent of the time, it’s chock full of everything that doesn’t fit in the house or garage. Overflow. However, with the intent of hosting a barn party, we emptied it. Then crazy husband built a pallet bar to furnish the new space. He stresses me out in ways only a husband can – using the table saw in the intended party space an hour before people start arriving. He and the floor are covered in saw dust, there’s scrap wood everywhere, and no party venue in sight. Then, miraculously, MINUTES before our guest of honor arrives, it is transformed into a wonderfully inviting and warm space. Here you have it.

Many of us have spaces that we don’t take full advantage of. If you have a walk-out basement, you have a great opportunity to bring the inside out. Pool houses, sheds, under-utilized barns: all are good options to create a central entertaining space. Party guests may not all fit within that outbuilding but that’s okay. You don’t need them to. After all, you want to encourage movement.

Movement warms the body, as does a roaring fire. No need to wait on the sun anymore. As soon as temperatures cool, light it up. Kids and adults alike enjoy a fire, that is safe and managed by an adult. S’more ingredients are easy to always have on hand and I’ve learned if you have a fire, the expectation is that you’d then better have the requisite trimmings. Having an activity, like toasting marshmallows is helpful too to take your mind off the chill.

Yes, I agree: a bar with the requisite trimmings is indeed another good way to do that. Food and beverages should be accessible to everyone and at different locations ideally. Though the bar is stocked, we’ll have another prepared cocktail offering for those interested. Pictured here are mojitos in moscow mule mugs. When we host friends, we always have lots of food options. Not healthy ones necessarily but definitely scrumptious and warm. Hot food warms the soul.

Though the conversation will undoubtedly be uproarious and provocative (after all, they’re your friends), furnish them with something to do while they chat up their neighbor. Ladder toss and corn hole are great options because people can come in and out quickly. We have a number of apple trees in our yard that, come September, are full up. Kids and adults can pick apples if they’re so inclined and then take their winnings with them when they part. We also have a cider press we obtained a few years back. Most kids won’t have seen a press before or have had the chance to operate it. It’s fun – initially. We realize it won’t hold anyone’s attention for too long (as it has no digital display) but the novelty is cool and engaging for a short while and makes them work for their beverage.

If you’re going to encourage people to hang outside, I think you have to try to make them as comfortable as possible. Obviously, giving them different seating options is paramount. No one should ever want for a chair. Rather than assume they’ll bring munitions, supply them with heavy blankets. Pillows are always a good idea in any space.

I found a couple tree stumps that make for perfect stools or table stands, depending on the need. I found some nubby, cozy pillows at Home Goods and the tartan throws and blankets I’ve picked up at various markets along the way. We use them outdoors only; so I’m not terribly concerned if they smell a little smoky at the end of the night.

We always have a good amount of food available when we entertain and we never regret it. Worst case scenario we have leftovers for days. This is another drink outpost including beverage dispenser and cider glasses on an antique ironing board. S’mores and sticks at the ready. Below, you’ll see, the fire pit is in full swing, all the chairs laden with supplies.

People can pull up a seat fireside, a stool at the bar, or a bench at the dining table. The outdoor string lights help to warm the space without having to rely on the harsh overhead ceiling lights. Various lanterns spread throughout help do the same, as do the landscape lights in the background.

When the sun is fully set and the cold air is upon us, we can opt to close the barn doors (or just the one) to keep the cold air at bay. Outdoor heaters are popular options these days as well, to extend your stay outdoors. Our guests know they’re always welcome inside as well. They come and go as they please, but the crew collects outside around the fire or the bar, depending on their age and the time of night.

It’s fifty degrees outside this morning; not likely to get any warmer in the evening. We’ll have to plan accordingly. I see a chili cook-off in the near future where friends can move about sampling entries, while noshing on warm corn bread and tossing it back with mulled cider, or other. Consider this your invite, friends.

Lisa