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It’s winter now, and snow has buried much of the country. However, some areas remain pleasant, and spring will soon come to relieve those currently experiencing cold temperatures. At that point, most people will think about entertaining outside again.
It’s true that until everyone has gotten vaccines, you’ll need to keep socially distancing and wearing masks. Still, there’s no reason you can’t have small gatherings, as long as you follow CDC recommendations.
With that in mind, let’s talk about some outdoor entertainment possibilities if you own a house or rent one. Your friends, neighbors, and relatives are sure to enjoy these options.
An Outdoor Sports-Watching Party
By the time spring rolls around, baseball will be back in gear. Last year’s champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, will look to defend their crown.
Whoever your local team is, having an outdoor sports-watching party is a fun thing to do. You can set up a large canopy tent in the backyard if you have the room for it. If you buy or rent some tent sidewalls, you can customize the space you have so as to fit as many people comfortably and safely as you can.
You probably won’t want to have a TV outdoors, but there are other ways to watch the game. The best option is to get an outdoor projection screen. There are ones on Amazon for less than a hundred dollars, or you might pay more for a higher-end one.
A BBQ
Buying a grill and trying out some new recipes is also a great idea. You might try some shish kabobs with fruits, veggies, and meat. If you marinate it, you can get a lot of flavor out of some easily-acquired ingredients.
You might go with traditional hot dogs and burgers, steaks, or fish. Grilled corn makes a great side dish if it’s in season. You can also get some veggie options for the group’s vegans and vegetarians.
If you decide to try this option, you’ll need to look into some of the different grills available. Like the projection TV screens, there are cheaper or more expensive ones. You’ll have to decide whether you prefer propane or charcoal grilling, or some people swear by mesquite chips.
An Outdoor Meal
If you have a nice back patio or deck, you might cook indoors, but then bring the food outside. This is a nice thing to do in the spring when the weather is mild. You can set up some tiki torches for ambiance.
You’ll have to get a suitable table, tablecloth, and maybe some nicer plates and silverware for the occasion. This is a chance to show off your cooking skills, so perhaps you’ll go with a tried-and-true family favorite, or if you’re feeling a little daring, you can find a new recipe online and try it out.
Bugs are one thing for which you should watch out if you want to eat outdoors. You can get some citronella candles to keep the mosquitoes away. You’ll need to keep an eye on the weather forecast too. If it rains, you’ll have to take the party indoors.
A Wine Tasting
A backyard wine tasting can make you feel elegant and sophisticated. You can ask several couples to bring their favorites wine, then you can open the bottles and sample them. You might set out some cheese and toast squares, hummus, or other snacks that pair nicely with various wines.
You can also hire a sommelier who can handle the event’s details. You can tell them in advance which wines you’ll have, and they can have some notes ready on each one. They’ll also show you the best way to open the different bottles and how to sample each wine like a pro to get the most out of the experience.
A Fire Pit and S’mores
If you have a fire pit in your backyard, you can have people over, and all sit around it. If they bring their kids, you might all make some s’mores and enjoy them around the fire.
This is an excellent spring activity if you have a fire pit because the nights are usually still a bit brisk, so the couples can snuggle up next to each other. You can provide some blankets, and you can tell ghost stories or trade some juicy gossip.
Having a backyard is one of the nice things about renting or owning a house. These are just a few of the many things you can do back there.