6 Secrets To Easy Summer Entertaining
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I’ve recently discovered I live near an abundance of lavender farms; in fact, within several hours of the lavender capital of North America. So of course, I am obsessed with all things and couldn’t wait to bring home the garden-inspired scent of Mrs. Meyer’s® products in Lavender to get my home ready for summer entertaining.
During the summer, impromptu gatherings are the norm at our place, so being ready to entertain with only a few hours’ notice is a must. With a quick trip to Fred Meyer, I’m sharing 6 secrets to pulling together a fabulous afternoon that looks like you took weeks to plan. Your place doesn’t have to look like a magazine spread to let your guests know they are welcome and feel at home, it is all in the little details!
Spot Clean Your Surfaces
Mrs. Meyer’s® Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner is the perfect way to clean nonporous surfaces since it is free of harsh chemicals like ammonia, phosphates and chlorine bleach. From tabletops to counters, spot cleaning your surfaces is a must. Give everything a good spray and wipe! When the weather is warm, we take the party outside. Our patio table tends to get dusty, so this helps get it sparkly clean in no time.
Empty Your Kitchen Sink
The first thing I do when guests are coming over is emptying my kitchen sink. Mrs. Meyer’s® Dish Soap is made with essential oils and plant-derived ingredients, so you will have an aroma-therapeutic experience while you are busting those suds! An added bonus, turn your clean sink into a giant ice bucket and fill with ice and drinks.
Set Up A Self-Service Beverage Area
Speaking of drinks, summer afternoons are about relaxing and socializing, not shuttling drinks from the kitchen to guests. Have a selection of drinks in an ice-filled container and walk away. A dispenser of homemade iced tea or lemonade is another summer must-have. Keep them cold and not watered down by making your beverage choice ahead of time and freezing as ice cubes to later add to the dispenser.
Have Go-To Appetizer Ideas
Food is the most important part of any type of gathering. Keeping a box or two of frozen appetizers like mini egg rolls, mozzarella balls or in my case, an onion tart, is always a good call. Just pop them in the oven for hearty nibbling. My go-to when I head to the store is adding a veggie tray and the fixings for a simple charcuterie tray. You’ll need several cheeses, sliced meats and a base like crackers, baguette slices or my favorite, Parmesan crisps; check out my previous post for more tips.
Flowers Aren’t The Only Choice For Centerpieces
If you are lucky, you have a yard of flowers at your disposal. I’m not so fortunate, take me to a farmers’ market and I can’t resist picking up a few bouquets for dirt-cheap. But, they can get pretty pricey at the grocery store. How about thinking outside the vase and head to the produce section and picking up some fruit or vegetables? Colorful, textured, appealing—have some tabletop play before they make it to the plate.
I love to play around with artichokes and radishes in large bowls, or treat carrots and purple kale like flowers and stand in a small vase of water. Stack up mandarin oranges or apples on a cake stand or use large berry baskets of seasonal cherries; they all do double duty because they can be nibbled on as well.
Have a Laid Back Summer Attitude
Most importantly, have an attitude like summer itself, laid back and fun. You will have a better time when you are relaxed and enjoying yourself…and it will rub off on your guests! Don’t worry about what you did or didn’t get to finish in getting ready, your guests would rather spend time with you than fuss over missed details.
I hope these secrets have been inspired to hosting more summer soirees and gatherings; time with family and friends is well spent! Be sure and pick up Mrs. Meyer’s® products in the natural cleaning aisle. Do you have any go-to tips for easy entertaining? Leave us a comment, we can all use a few new tools in our arsenals.
