| The holidays often mean overcrowded rooms | | | | strings you have in your attic for Christmas |
| and short tempers. All those people crammed into | | | | holiday decorations can carry you through multiple |
| the living room try to escape by offering so-called | | | | outdoor holiday celebrations. Your guests want to |
| 'help' in the kitchen. It can fray even the calmest | | | | be able to see each other, the food and any |
| of hosts. | | | | stray landscaping that might trip them up. |
| When at all possible, consider taking your holiday | | | | Fit Furniture |
| event outside. It's easy to create a | | | | The outdoor furniture is key to a successful |
| holiday-themed party in your own back yard. It's | | | | event. To really wow your guests, skip the plastic |
| all about the tone you set, and the venue. Even a | | | | lawn furniture or rented folding chairs. Invest in |
| small yard can be ideal for holiday entertaining. | | | | solid outdoor furnishings that you won't be chasing |
| Some outside holiday themes include celebration | | | | down the street during the next wind gale. |
| of summer, fall harvest, winter wonderland and | | | | Solid wood, unfinished furniture is particularly suited |
| springtime fun. | | | | to outdoor weather conditions. Unlike painted, |
| Comfort & Safety | | | | stained and varnished furniture, the harsh UV |
| If the weather is on the cool side, think comfort. | | | | rays, cold, heat, rain, snow and other weather |
| Invest in any number of available outdoor | | | | conditions enhance rather than ruin unfinished |
| fireplaces to warm the hands (and hearts) of | | | | wood furniture. That's because exposure and time |
| your guests. If the weather is hot, hot, hot, make | | | | create a patina on unfinished outdoor furniture |
| sure to offer party-goers respite from the sun. | | | | that has its own natural beauty. |
| Consider your yard's bug population and plan | | | | Outside furniture ubiquitous in wicker, bamboo and |
| accordingly. | | | | rattan. For sturdier construction, as with popular |
| For evening events year-round, you'll want to | | | | Amish chairs like Amish rockers and Amish gliders, |
| make sure you have appropriate lighting, whether | | | | look for items built with woods including cedar, |
| it is temporary or permanent. Those flashing light | | | | oak, ash, pine, acacia and even eucalyptus. |