Great Ideas For Outdoor Entertaining (NAPSA)—For many people, warm weather is all the reason necessary for bringing together friends, family and the great outdoors. With a little planning, these seasonal celebrations can be both festive and functional. For successful entertaining beyond the confines of your home, Linens ‘n Things recommends the 8 C’s: creative, convenient and comfortable. Be creative Start with a theme and decorate around it. This keeps you focused and helps unify decorative pieces for a festive look. * From refreshing seaside blues and greens to Caribbeaninspired hot pinks and oranges, color is making a big splash on tabletops. For casual entertaining, a color scheme, broughtto life in a table cloth, napkins, barware and tableware, is all it takes to bring things together. For evening intimacy, add an abundanceof votive candles and surround your guests with ambient lighting from rustic lanterns, garden torches or strings of patio lights—all available at Linens‘n Things. * Food is also a great source of inspiration for decorative themes. Ice cream parties, Mexicanfiestas, clam bakes and pieniecs can be defined and made extra special with simple or elaborate dcor. Makeit convenient The key to success is keeping kitchen trips to a minimum so that you can enjoy the celebration. * Set up a tabletop area separate from eating areas, where foods, beverages, tools and tableware can be stored. Fashionable mesh food domesareterrific for leaving food on the table without the threatof insects. * A rolling cooler is ideal for keeping drinks cold and accessible. Painted or woven trays offer a For casual outdoor entertaining, remember the 3 C’s: creative, convenient and comfortable. stylish way to transport and serve multiple items. Flatware caddies are easy to tote, plus they serve many and save space. Ensurethatit’s comfortable Eating and drinking comfortably outdoors is a challenge, but with the right stuff, it can be a breeze. * Seating is a priority, even if you’re picnicking. Offer quilts, beach towels, portable camp chairs or stackable armchairs. If it’s unbearably hot, cool personal fans can be clipped to chairs or tables for relief. Chill your guests’ beverages in frosty acrylic mugs or with tubular ice shapes thatfit into bottles. Keep bugs at bay with mosquito coils, patio flares and citronella candles galore. Linens ‘n Things is a home decorating specialty store with great ideas and solutions for every room in the home. For the store nearest you,call 1-800-LNT-8765.
