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1) Be More Spontaneous -- Less Rigid.  Thinking of a favorite restaurant you want to order from?  Do you have extra food in the fridge when you overdid it on pasta?  Is there a recipe you’re dying to make?  All these are reasons for you to host a small gathering of close friends.  Even a short notice invitation works for small group parties.

2) Keep Your Guest List Intimate.  Just a few couples would work while we enter back into entertaining.  And I suggest you text those invites.  Typing a personalized text is easy and clear.  Just say, “Dinner Alfresco, bring a drink of your choice. Starts at 6:00PM this Friday. Come As You Are.”  Then wait for the responses.  With the Stay-at-Home order lifted we can gradually look forward to having outside visits again, but keep in mind, the California Dept. of Public Health regulations still stand with mandatory mask wearing (except while eating and drinking). Private gatherings are limited to no more than three households (including the hosts).

3) Keep Setup Simple.  Now is the time to take a second look at your patio and do a redesign of that space.  Enhance your patio space by adding:  an open fire pit or fireplace, outdoor heaters, water features, landscape improvements, or more lighting.  Check out my post on patio updates for more hints: https://www.impressionsredesign.com/patio-updates-to-enjoy-this-summer

4) Take the Chill off Winter Visits. 

• For colder afternoons/evenings keep some bright colored throws at the ready and remind people to wear layers.   
• Pillows are a must.  Bring them out from your closet, or buy some outdoor ones with sun treated fabrics so you can leave them in place. (I bought this years outdoor pillows at Tuesday Morning.)
• Of course fire pits and patio heaters can radiate a lot of heat, but the use of candle-light, luminaries or mini lights add ambience and an illusion of warmth.
• Throw in an outdoor rug to buffer the feeling of cold from concrete patios.
• I love the patterns and finish of melamine plastic plates for casual outdoor gatherings.
• You can find all the above at Homegoods, Walmart, Macy’s, or your local World Market stores.

5) Set An Easy Menu.  Instead of overdoing it with a full multi-course dinner, consider serving a simple bowl meal, a potato bar or skip dinner altogether.

• Sunset Wine and Appetizer --  With BBQ shish kabobs you can experiment with skewering just about everything.  Add to it fresh farmers market veggies and my favorite sweet potato wedges with an assortment of sauces, cheeses, herbs, spices and chives.  Have everyone bring their favorite wine.  Have a special tropical punch, tea and coffee available too.
• Dessert and Coffee -- Steaming hot drinks are a great way to take the chill off cold desert nights.  Have a short post dinner visit and serve steaming hot beverages like hot buttered rum or liquor infused hot chocolate or coffee drinks topped with whipped  cream.  Keep it simple and pair the beverages with a slice of cake or pie.
• Chocolate Fondu Meetup -- What’s fun about fondue??  It’s the dipping of the variety of fruits, sweet stuff and one or two salty things to balance it out.  Guests can be assigned two items to dip:  strawberries, pineapple, orange slices, cookies, marshmallows, jumbo pretzels and more.  Some other things that would work great as dippers are banana slices, shortbread cookies, pound cake cut into squares, brownie chunks or cheesecake squares.  Be sure to buy bamboo skewers, available at most grocery stores.  Set out your tea and coffee.
• Grill ’in Good Time -- Steak and veggies on the BBQ are always a welcome treat.  Add a salad, French bread and ask guests to bring dessert and drinks.  BBQ’d veggies are so fresh and delicious any time of day, and I love trying them out with different types of seasonings too.  Add a tin barrel with ice to house the beer, and a wine bar.  I always add a coffee/tea area too.  Click here to see my coffee bar.
• Crudités Platter -- This is a must-have while entertaining and there’s one thing all our favorite crudités platters have in common:  beautiful color and loads of seasonal flavor.  The more artful your arrangement, the better.  Start with what you have on hand and make a list of what you need to fill in.  Click here for my check list of Crudite ideas.  Ask each guest to bring their favorite bottle of wine or beverage.
• Guacamole -- The green magical fruit with an added twist and a side of corny crunch is always a crowd favorite.  Guacamole is delicious, easy to make, and can allow you to get as creative or traditional as you’d like.  Add chips, beans in a crock pot, cheeses, fresh cilantro and more.  Make homemade lemonade and add bowls of fresh herbs with recipe cards listing great "Add-in" combinations.
• Burrito Bar -- Simple “make your own'' burrito bar is always fun.  It appeals to the widest range of guests.  Put out bowls filled with all the unique makings for an amazing burrito.  I add taco shells and chips too.  Add instant pot refried beans.  For drinks try limeade with mint (I always add a little green food coloring.)  Why not assign someone to make homemade margaritas, or you can rent a margarita ice machine.   
• Main Meal Salad Bar -- I love this party idea.  It places very little work on the host family.  Send out the invite and ask each person to bring two salad items to share.  You supply, bread, dessert, and drinks.  I love to see how my friends customize their salads to their liking.  For drinks try a zesty Pinot Grigio or iced apple cider.
• Support Local Restaurants -- Get takeout.  Our group got together one Friday evening for “take out” Chinese food.  Each couple contributed $20.00.  It was a wonderful way to support our neighborhood restaurant and there was a nice tip in the end.  Make hot jasmine and Chinese green teas, and a simple almond cake for dessert.  Put out chopsticks to make it more fun! This is the simplest idea yet!!

7) Get Psyched!  An hour before your guests arrive, put on your playlist music (something upbeat) , make yourself that first drink, put on comfortable shoes, touch up your makeup and take a deep breath.  This will be fun!  If you’re relaxed and having a good time, your guests will follow suit.  This night is about being together -- not about being perfect.  Just be one of the guests and leave the dishes for later.

That’s it for now.  Let me know if you’re planning a small gathering.

Love your home more,    Jonelle’

Additional Tips I’m Considering:

• Consider buying an extendable patio table that can accommodate safe spacing of guests or be vigilant and spread out existing patio chairs six feet apart between couples.
• Hosts should consider acquiring a hands-free antibacterial soap dispenser for the entry point.
• In the powder room replace guest towels with either a tray of individual face cloths or disposable paper towels.
•  Just remember to keep safe social distance and wear a mask when not eating or drinking.