8 Tips For Outdoor Entertaining {Giveaway}

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This is a sponsored post brought to you in collaboration with Cree. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are my own.
Great tips on decor for outdoor entertaining

1.Comfortable seating is a must when entertaining outdoors. And plenty of it! I use a different array of seating options on my patio. The first to always be used is my patio set that I purchased a few years ago. Just some new stain and chair covers is all that was needed to spruce it up. I keep some mesh chairs on hand also for overflow. But my go to seating for a large amount of people are benches. I have three to four benches outside at any given time to accommodate. Another fun option for lawn seating is offer over sized pillows.
Great tips on ideas for entertaining outdoors
2.Layer. Layer. Layer. Keep things comfortable by using pillows on your benches, chairs and patio set. Also, as it gets dark it tends to get cold, so have a few blankets laying around.
Great tips on ideas for entertaining outdoors
3.It's easy to add color to any patio with flowers. Use flowers in hanging pots, urns, or even in unexpected vases on tables.
Great tips on ideas for entertaining outdoors
4.Offer a relief from the sun. The sun can sometimes be detrimental to a great outdoor party especially on hot days. Use umbrellas for extra shade, or even a privacy screen to shield out the sun when it gets low on the horizon.
Great tips on ideas for entertaining outdoors
5.Make your patio an extension of your living room. Make it comfy! Use rugs and pillows and decor just like you would in your living room.I like using lanterns, mirrors, and metal garden balls. You can even bring your indoor furniture outdoors for the night to mix things up a bit. 
Great tips on ideas for entertaining outdoors
6.Keep the beverages coming! The hotter the weather, the more you want to drink. Make sure you keep your guests happy with cool beverages on hand.
Great tips on ideas for entertaining outdoors
7.And of course, good food is always a part of a great outdoor party. Even if it's just appetizers or a full on dinner.
Great tips on ideas for entertaining outdoors
8.As the sun sets, outdoor lighting is key to keep the party going. String lights and lanterns are a great way to light your outdoor entertaining area.
Great tips on ideas for entertaining outdoors
Also remember the main lighting in the eves of your house. I like to use Cree PAR38 LED bulbs for this. The sockets are so hard to reach, but once I put the LED bulbs in place,  I don't have to worry about changing them for years and years to come since they last about 25 times longer than normal bulbs. Plus, leaving them on all night won't bother the electric bill too much since they use 82% less energy :) They are rated for wet weather so they are also perfect for flood lights too and are dimmable, bonus! To find more information about Cree, visit their website at www.creebulb.com; they are also available to purchase at Home Depot.
Here's a quick tour of my patio and porch and the ways I use outdoor lighting in my entertaining space. 
 
Now for the GIVEAWAY!  
Cree has so graciously offered to give one of my readers a package up to $70 worth of bulbs! 
For an entry, leave a comment below letting me know which room you need Cree LED bulbs in the most (if not all of them :) )
For an additional entry:
 Like Thrifty and Chic on Facebook or Instagram and let me know that you did in the comments.

  PLEASE give me a way to contact you! This giveaway is open to US residents only.
Giveaway Ends Wednesday, August 5th at Midnight PT!


 Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

25 comments

  1. I need Cree LED bulbs in our living room the most .

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  2. I likeThrifty and Chic on Facebook. kraftmaking at gmail dot com

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. I would put them in my kitchen and quilting room. Thanks for the great giveaway.

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  5. We go through way too many lightbulbs, I need ones that last longer!

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  6. Liked on Facebook. Could really use much brighter light in dining and family rooms. Have a great day! lillacechristianson at gmail dot com

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  7. My living room and kitchen could use Cree LED bulbs. They seems to be the rooms that lights get flipped on and off the most.

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  8. I'd use Cree bulbs in my living room and bedroom and possibly outdoors!

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  9. I need Cree bulbs in my whole house but mostly in the outdoors!

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  10. I'd use Cree LED "daylight" bulbs in all of my closets. I saw a article comparing the light put off by regular bulbs compared to the daylight LEDs. What an amazing difference!

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  11. Jennifer us4hats@gmail.comJuly 31, 2015 at 10:56 AM

    I would love to switch my outdoor bulbs on my patio and fire pit like you did!!

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  12. I need some in my closets! I liked your facebook and instagram! Beckiwright11@hotmail.com

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  13. Thinking about copying your patio panels at my place! Can you show us a photo of how the back patio looks, shot from the backyard toward the house?

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  14. I would love Cree bulbs in my living and dining room area since I need good lighting in those areas, plus if they are dimmable it is definitely a bonus!

    micaela6955 at msn dot com

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  15. Following you on instagram @micaela6955 micaela6955 at msn dot com

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  16. Following you on instagram @micaela6955 micaela6955 at msn dot com

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  17. I would love Cree bulbs in my living and dining room area since I need good lighting in those areas, plus if they are dimmable it is definitely a bonus!

    micaela6955 at msn dot com

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  18. We just bought or house so really the whole house needs LED lights but I'd have to say the basement playroom needs them the most. We need lots of good lighting in there and the energy savings would be amazing because they're on a lot.

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  19. Our playroom, which we just redid! And so does our new nursery!

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  20. I need bulbs for the living room. Just bought a new house. sethrich AT hotmail DOT com

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  21. in the kitchen

    dlatany at gmail dot com

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  24. I am really grateful to you for sharing all these tips here. I have hired local party venue rentals and needed these decorations, entertainment and other planning tips. Hope everyone will like this party and will enjoy.

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happy DIYing! Alicia