Throw One More Outdoor Party: End of Season Fun

Whether you have a lot space or hardly any, here's some entertaining elements to consider for your last outdoor summer party.

Think Environment

Do you want it dark and moody or bright and vibrant? String Christmas lights around the outline of a balcony or place floating candles on every table. Litter table tops or serving trays with flower pedals.

Use What You Already Have

Re-using old items can be very satisfying. Turn large, everyday plates into serving trays and small, fine china saucers into hors d'oeuvre plates. Tall, plastic cup-ware can be turned into individual flower vases at each place setting.

Creative Food

Add a new twist to old burgers by using Portebello Mushrooms instead. Offer a variety of mustards and even salad dressings for your guests to add or dip. Grill onions instead of serving them raw.

Remember The Fun

Offer a large supply of adult and kid-sized water pistols for plenty of excitement. Or mix music and a limbo stick for an adventurous competition.

Still not sure what kind of party you'd like to throw? Try one of these themes:

Water Party

Required: plastic pool or large buckets full of ice and drinks; flip-flops for everyone; water balloons; bathing suits; plenty of water for splashing; adult and kid pools for wading.

Wine Tasting Party

What you will need: three white and three red wines; complimentary cheeses; loaf of bread for cleansing pallets; pitcher of water; dump bucket for discarding wine before the next pouring; tasting cards for describing and recording each wine tasted; optional prize for a blind taste test winner.

Remember Safety

Before you fire up your alfresco big bash, do a quick construction check of your porch, deck or balcony. The International Code Council (ICC) suggests you look for loose, missing or rusted hardware; porches secured to buildings with nails rather than attached with anchors or bolts; splitting or rotted wood; and unstable porches - for starters.

Swimming pools with more than 24 inches of water need to have a four-foot fence around them. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching.

When grilling, keep away from siding, deck railings, eaves and branches. Remove old grease from gills and check propane hoses for any leaks. Don't move grills while they are still hot and of course dispose of charcoal in its proper place.

Have a plan and have a party!

Look up building and fire codes on the ICC Web site.