Intimate Patio Dinner Ideas for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and what better way to spend it with your significant other or family than to serve traditional home-cooked meal (don’t forget the turkey!) and have an intimate dinner with them… And as far as that rhetoric question can be answered, yes there’s a better way to spend Thanksgiving with your family, and that is to take off those patio furniture covers and set up an intimate patio dinner!

               Screengrab from Charlie M Schultz’ A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

And because having a typical night of turkey and cranberry inside the house or in your favorite restaurant is becoming more of a routine rather than a celebration, here are some lovely-clever ideas to spruce and spice up your Thanksgiving dinner by the patio!

Dim Lights

When it comes to setting up a cozy, ecclectic and welcoming mood, nothing does it better than having a warm lighting. Tungsten lighting is always the perfect choice to harness this pleasant vibe. To do this, you can either set up the entire area with candles and lanterns or simply settle with those LED string lights available in the market. And to intensify the elating vibe your lighting, throw in some light trinkets and chimes to accommodate the breeze with beautiful noises.

Fire Up The Pit

Since the time of Thanksgiving usually falls on during those relatively cold days, might as well take off the fire pit covers for this particular night and spend the after-dinner by enjoying the comforting warmth given by glowing fire. Pair this with a nice bottle of wine, champagne or single malt while sharing stories with your loved ones. Heck, might as well go for the impromptu Thanksgiving S’mores party.

Under Your Umbrella

This time, instead devouring the whole roasted turkey and mashed potatos by yourselves, go for a more unique approach by going for a picnic-style Thanksgiving dinner. Lay a picnic blanket on the grass, carve some of freshly-roasted turkey, pour some cranberry sauce plus some veggies and roll it in a nice, warm pita or Panini bread and partner it with Mac & Cheese (that is if you’re a fan of Chandler Bing from Friends). Of course, don’t forget the wine for your toast. And adding detail to your captivating night by setting up an umbrella lounge by the backyard isn’t such a bad idea for an intimate dinner with your partner.

TENT-giving Dinner

               Setup a tent by the patio to celebrate Thanksgiving with your loved ones

No, don’t misinterpret the sub headliner. It’s a bad pun, please forgive us. Anyway, we just figured, since we’re talking about intimate dinners, why not go further by making it more “exclusive” by pitching your patio tent or screen house and set the table there. Make it even more romantic by matching it with the usual Miles Davis and John Coltrane music on the background. Better yet, hire a player if time and money permits. After all, you want it to be special, right?

On an end note, it doesn’t matter how you celebrate Thanksgiving with your loved-ones. Be it a simple, extravagant or extremely unique celebration, what is important is the essence of being thankful for the year’s worth of blessings, because that’s what it’s all about.

Things That Can Make Your Patio Furniture Dirty

Patio furniture was supposed to be additional appointments to accentuate the already-astounding countryside backyard vibe of your patio, as opposed to a breeding ground for nasty grimes and other unknown foreign objects. Granted that your patio fittings are all weatherproof and can pass the test of time, it doesn’t make these chairs and tables prone to dirt and other speck.

Little did you know that most of these common patio pollutants not only can smear an unappealing aura to your outdoor trappings, but it can also degrade your furniture’s quality and pristine condition. Sounds awful? Then, it’s time to think about buying a resilient cover for your outdoor assets.

But before that, here are 5 of the most common things that can make your patio furniture dirty:

1. Dust Particles

   – There is no denying that this is most common contributor of dirt to your patio furniture. Of course, this is a given, considering you are practically outside the house. These dusts usually come from the landscape residuals and erosion coming from the garden itself, as well as from the accumulated coal ash coming from the grill.

2. Food Stains

   – Speaking of barbecue, another factor that can make your patio furniture look like a homeless’ hub is food stains, typically barbecue. Not only it can bring nasty stains to the upholstery, it can also produce residual stuff to the surface. Not to mention, it also brings that familiar funky smell that will make you not want to sit there anymore.

3. Water Drop Stains

   – Pair this with number 1, and you’ll get grime. Water stains are tricky to clean, as it leaves a map-like stain on your furniture (especially foam) as well as mold and mildew. It also leaves a foul, musty smell mainly because of humid air and moisture.

4. Nectar/Sap

   – These are sticky extracts produced by a plant, flower or a fruit to attract pollinators. These extracts are also notorious for heavily staining your outdoor furniture. Or worse, this gooey stuff could leave unwanted damages and blemishes to your fittings, as insects tend to feed on plant nectar.

5. Animal Droppings

   – And since you are enjoying the nature through your backyard, it is no excuse for you and your furniture to get the occasional “lucky doo-doo” from different animals, most frequently birds. This stuff may leave unpleasant spots to your furniture that will eventually harden, making it more difficult to clean.

Buying and maintaining an outdoor furniture set is not easy. That is why you have to take extra effort in keeping its mint condition by constant cleaning, washing (if necessary), as well as getting a reliable and durable covers for topping your patio investment.