Have you ever heard it said that food tastes better when eaten outdoors? An outdoor setting is great for any gathering of friends, family, neighbors or work associates and can be used for graduation parties, weddings, baby or bridal showers, company picnics, reunions or even neighborhood block parties.

Planning a party outdoor is pretty generic. The first thing you need to decide on is where in the great outdoors you'll have your party. How about a party outdoor n your own backyard or front yard, at a park, playground or zoo, by a lake or river,  tailgating in a parking lot, or even at the beach. And always remember to have a backup plan in case the weather doesn't cooperate with your party outdoor. Have the picnic in a screened in or covered porch, under a tent or canopy, or use a recreation center in a park.

Now, while the kids might think that swatting flies is fun or that marching ants are cute, it's hard to find an outdoor site that's bug-free. Try to spray the area for insects several hours before your guests arrive so the smell of insecticide doesn't linger in the air. If mosquitoes are in the air, have a can of mosquito repellant nearby. Insect crowd-control isn't the only factor to consider when you want to ensure your party outdoor is a success. How about a making sure the food and beverages you serve maintain their appeal over the course of several hours under the hot sun. Nothing worse than a party outdoor and your entire guest list is off in the woods vomiting. Consider the following suggestions:

Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. You've heard it a hundred times, yet the importance of safe food handling can't be stressed enough. Cold foods need to be stored at 40 degrees F or below - even in the cooler - and hot foods need to be kept above 140 degrees F.

Serve grilled foods immediately. Place cooked foods on clean plates that were not used to transport raw meat or seafood. Perishable foods should be eaten within two hours, or one hour, if the air temperature is over 90 degrees F. Also,  bottles of water serve double duty. When frozen, they keep the cooler cold and when thawed, are great to drink. Before freezing, pour out a small amount of water to allow for expansion.

  Now that we've mapped out some common logic for making sure your party outdoor is a big hit. How about a special theme? You know, an outdoor party that speaks more of fun and frivolity and less of camping in the forest. There is something magical about a party under the stars. A lanterns party is one you'll never forget. Try stringing tiny white lights and lanterns in a few trees around the garden to create an enchanted look. Or try perching votive candles in glass holders on tree branches. Citronella candle pots or torches are beautiful and practical. They also help keep the insects away and look great!   

A lanterns party is only one idea. With the great outdoors as your backdrop you're limited only by your imagination. Placing your next get together outside party will give things a more relaxed look, that will equate to more fun on the part of your guests and that translates to a big success for you!