IT’S THE YEAR OF HOSTING IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Some helpful hints for entertaining guests in the safest space for social distancing
If you find yourself going the extra mile for your next backyard barbecue, you’re in good company. Lifestyle expert and This is Crumb founder Devin Connell is right there alongside you.
“Summer 2020 is the year of the outdoor Canadian hostess,” says Connell, who misses home entertaining so much she’s pulling out a few more stops this summer. “Now that your backyard is all you’ve got … it’s time for a new way to think about entertaining,” she says.
With outdoor spaces remaining the safest place to mingle in small groups during the pandemic, Connell is shifting her indoor style sense to the backyard, curating her space with the same eye for detail.
Her outdoor dining table sports a colourful tablecloth, napkins and bright bouquet of fresh cut flowers from the garden, her patio furniture is adorned with colourful throw pillows and a cosy carpet pulls it all together. She’s even started to bring much-loved glass, ceramic and “precious” dishes and accessories outside.
“I’m going that little extra level of presentation and hosting that I may not have done in previous years just because I miss it so much,” she says.
As the designated home and garden tastemaker on ebay Canada’s newly launched #ebayedits, Connell shares some of her best finds from the site to help create a more curated feeling outside, from double walled insulated mugs and hobnail old fashioned glasses, to pink marble dishware and gold matte cutlery, to wooden soup bowls and a water pitcher with removable infuser. The goal of #ebayedits is to help consumers explore unique and in-demand items by sharing top picks in various categories.
“Being at home, I’ve been very aware of my surroundings and the world I can create right here,” says Connell. “So I find the things I’ve been buying online have to do more with what I’m using in my own home and less about what I see in the outside world.”
Connell expects to update her favourite finds on ebay with the changing seasons. In the meantime, her focus remains on the backyard where she says there’s no better time than the present to do the little things that make guests feel welcome. Her best tips to make any outdoor gathering feel like an occasion include:
Light the walkway with lanterns
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to create an inviting ambience.
Go ahead and buy those string
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lights you’ve always wanted
Consider using “real” dishes in
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place of paper or plastic.
Have five or six outdoor blankets
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Set up a self-serve station with
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hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and bug spray.
Serve plated meals and do as
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much food prep ahead of time as possible so you can stay outside with your guests and avoid the kitchen.