Ideas for Outdoor Entertaining During Winter

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Outdoor entertaining during winter is no problem! Check out these ideas and my favorite pieces for staying cozy and comfortable outdoors when you’re entertaining.

outdoor entertaining during winter
outdoor entertaining during winter
outdoor entertaining during winter

The chilly months have definitely arrived in California! And because we just finished our backyard update, we’ve been spending a ton of time outside. But with winter on the way, I’ve found a few ways to up my outdoor entertaining game when it’s chilly out.

Why Entertain Outside During the Winter?

Are you kidding me? Why not?! Yes, it’s chilly. But it also provides so many fun opportunities! Our family loves to do outdoor movie nights during the winter because it’s dark early and we can watch a movie before the kids’ bedtime.

It’s also a great excuse to enjoy all of those cozy outdoor snacks and drinks. Think s’mores, warm mulled wine, and more.

It’s just a matter of finding the right supplies to keep yourself, your family, or your guests comfortable when the temperature is a bit lower. So I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite outdoor entertaining tips and pieces to help provide a little inspiration!

outdoor entertaining during winter

Make Food Easy

I’m not a big cook but I do love to serve food for a gathering. So lately I’ve taken to just having some easy platters full of charcuterie or veggies. I love this big wooden platter — it holds plenty and the handles are awesome.

We love, love, love our DIY outdoor kitchen design, but for easy outdoor entertaining you can just stick with simple foods in a lovely presentation.

outdoor entertaining during winter

I also really like this faux wood platter for our s’mores station. It’s easy to wipe clean and it’s handy just to set out some fixings and let the kids or our guests choose their own combinations of crackers or chocolate.

outdoor entertaining during winter

These marshmallow roasting sticks are always a big hit with the kids, too! Super cute and easy to hold.

outdoor entertaining during winter

Finally, for outdoor drinks (like this mulled wine — find the recipe here!) I like to use shatterproof wine glasses. These look beautiful and feel substantial in your hand.

outdoor entertaining during winter

Keep Your Guests Cozy

I like to keep some extra throw blankets around, in case guests are chilly or didn’t bring a heavy sweater. These pink fringed blankets are great for just that purpose (and I love the accent of this black and white blanket, too).

These blankets specifically stay outside, so I like to keep them organized in a simple basket like this wire one. We just put the basket in a cabinet in the garage when we’re not using the blankets, and toss them in the wash if they ever need it. Easy peasy.

outdoor entertaining during winter
outdoor entertaining during winter

Add Some Simple Decor

I don’t decorate a whole lot when we entertain outdoors, but I do try to toss some fresh flowers or greenery around! It’s easy and affordable, and it makes everything look really pulled together.

Especially in the winter, a few pine branches can go a long way. Add a few store-bought floral stems and arrange them in simple containers.

I love using pitchers like this to add some height. And vessels like this white vase or pink canister are easy additions that look really pretty outdoors.

outdoor entertaining during winter
outdoor entertaining during winter

I also always keep some of these faux candles around for outdoor entertaining, and it adds so much ambiance!

This set of flameless pillar candles is awesome because it comes with a remote control to set them. You can adjust from anywhere outside or in the house. Brilliant.

And finally, an outdoor bar cart is one decorative piece that I can’t recommend enough! We use ours as a catch-all. It holds everything from our movie projector, to food and drink, to plates and dishes, and so much more. This one is beautiful and sturdy — definitely a focal point of our patio.

outdoor entertaining during winter

Have fun!

The final ingredient? Good people! Even when it’s just the four of us hanging, we have a blast outside during the winter months.

Hope this has inspired some ideas for your outdoor entertaining, even during the winter! Leave a comment and let me know your favorite way to hang outside when it’s chilly. xoxo

outdoor entertaining during winter
outdoor entertaining during winter

This post is sponsored by Bed Bath & Beyond. All ideas and opinions are my very own. Thank you for being supportive of the partners who help keep Lovely Indeed rocking!

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2 Comments

  1. I’ve hosted several donut frys and they are a highlight for everyone who comes. I always want to invite everyone. Last year we had 50 people. Not this year.