HOLIDAY DINING AL FRESCO

Having lived in Washington, D.C. most of my life, it has been only on rare occasions that I've seen a White Christmas.  Ever since I was a little girl, in my mind, cold weather was created strictly for snow - if it isn't snowing then we should be having tropical weather.  So having given up on a White Christmas, for as long as I can remember, I have longed to eat Christmas dinner outdoors all the while singing "Mele Kalikimaka".  But, since global warming has not warmed up my Christmas enough to eat outside, for those of you who live in warm, sunny climates this blog's for you!

In addition to festive tableware, dress up your patio table with greenery, lanterns and an old English tradition of Christmas crackers.

An evergreen wreath decorated with pine cones and berries creates a beautiful centerpiece and sitting prettily in its center a lantern that burns brightly into the night.

Additional lighting can be created with individual mini lanterns to light up each guest's place setting.  Mini lanterns can be found at Michael's in the bridal aisle. 

Christmas crackers are an old English tradition that originated in the mid 1800's.  Although they can be purchased in stores such as Home Goods, they can be personalized by making them yourself.   If you would like to learn more about this DIY project, please click link below...

HOW TO MAKE CHRISTMAS CRACKERS

To add flair to your outdoor dining experience, dress up chair backs with teardrop garland, pine cones & bows.  If you would like to create your own teardrop garland or bows, please click below...

HOW TO MAKE TEARDROP GARLAND

HOW TO MAKE A BOW

I hope you think of me as you entertain this season outdoors.  Although I won't be eating outside on Christmas Day, my dream has been realized close enough by way of an invite to Hilton Head, SC.  Wonderful friends of ours invited us last year to their beach house the day after Christmas.   On New Year's Eve we found ourselves grilling outdoors, sitting around their patio table reminiscing.   Decked out in New Year's hats and necklaces, at the end of the evening our friends said, "Why don't we just put these away in the owner's closet until next year."  Those words were music to our ears - we're getting invited back!!!

Want more entertaining ideas?  Please click below...
Pineapples & Palm Trees                                                                      
                                                                 ~ Debbie ~