In true New Englander fashion, as soon as the temperatures start to graze the mid-50s, I eagerly start planning for all the outdoor activities I missed over the winter. My number one warm-weather activity is, of course, dining and entertaining al fresco! I worked with my friends at Christmas Tree Shops to put together this cheerful table citrus-inspired table that just beams of the season ahead.
I also love visiting Christmas Tree Shops for seasonal inspiration because there is so much variety to choose from, and the prices are incredibly affordable. On a recent trip there, I found the inspiration I was hunting for in the sunniest looking melamine plates with a blue and citrus pattern. When inspiration strikes, I run with it!
I love the Christmas Tree Shops for outdoor entertaining pieces, and used this trip as an excuse to refresh my stock of melamine plates, unbreakable clear wine glasses, and cheerful summer napkins in a lemon print that continued my citrus theme. I also grabbed the cutest blue and white striped tablecloth with big blue tassels on the corners – affordable table linens are my love language – no worry about spills!
When entertaining outside, I like to create easy ways to transport everything out to my garden, so I grabbed some modern looking white wire baskets at Christmas Tree Shops that I used to create a dining caddy full of the lemon napkins, extra cloth towels for spills, cutlery and sometimes condiments or salt and pepper. Keep it stocked in an accessible place and you tote outside whenever the mood strikes to eat outside!
Another one of my favorite hacks for relaxed outdoor dining is to fill up a water-proof bowl with ice and nestle a few drinks in it on the table so that we don’t have to run back indoors for refills. I found the prettiest wood bowl with a coated blue and white gingham pattern on the inside at Christmas Tree Shops that was perfect for this use (and will be so cute for red-white-and-blue themed summer tables!). Even the lemonade in the bowl is from Christmas Tree Shops – they’re my secret source for vintage looking sodas and drinks, I always find them in the pantry section of the store. It’s a great spot to stock up on things like dried pasta, crackers, nuts and other snacks for entertaining! I filled up my cart and am ready to host now whenever the warm hits.
PS: If you’re looking for even more savings, Christmas Tree Shops just launched a new program called Ease the Squeeze! Buy a $19.99 savings card and you’ll get 10% off all food and personal care items every time you shop through January 2023! Plus get 2 $10 off $50 bonus coupons when you complete your registration online. Just in time to stock up for al fresco entertaining season!
Please note: This post is created in partnership with Christmas Tree Shops. All opinions, images and content are my own, thank you for supporting brands that support this site.
