15 Outdoor Entertaining Essentials We're Using All Summer Long

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Shop & Tell features thoughtfully curated home finds from House Beautiful editors. Every week we'll take you inside our carts and dish on what we're buying—and why you should be reaching for your wallet too.

Despite the current heat waves, at House Beautiful, we still believe in maximizing outdoor time all summer long. And because summer is best spent with friends and family, a large part of our seasonal fun revolves around entertaining. An al fresco dinner party, trip to the beach, or even a weeknight hang can be made better with a few entertaining essentials. With access to a mix of balconies, backyards, and even a few New York City parks, our editors know a thing or two about stylish (and functional) outdoor entertaining essentials.

Many of House Beautiful's editors believe in embracing the heat and finding outdoor entertaining essentials to match. Associate Editor Kelly Allen has her eye on an oversized pool float to lounge the day away in. "With seating for four and a removable mesh sunshade, you can spend hours lounging here," she says about this Funboy float. Meanwhile, Assistant Editor Meghan Shouse has park days covered. "Having a fully equipped picnic basket makes impromptu adventures to the park so much easier, and they're ideal for carrying supplies and keeping a matching aesthetic when you have planned outdoor events." No matter if you're working with a small patio or sprawling lawn, our editors' entertaining picks will have you enjoying the great outdoors until the first frost rolls around. Add these picks to your cart, and don't forget to consider our favorite outdoor furniture for added summer fun.

Shop more of our favorite party must-haves:

• 11 Stylish Barware Items to Up Your Summer Hosting Game

• Christina Hall's Top Summer Hosting Essentials Start at $5

• The 13 Best Pool Floats for Summer You'll Want to Lounge in All Day

Vida Plate

"Mociun is a neighborhood gem with the cutest decorative accents. That said, the pieces aren't cheap so I have yet to buy anything from them. I'm waiting for a sale and it just so happens, several items are discounted via Mociun's website. I have my eyes on these yellow plates with swirls because the cheerful hue makes me smile. They add just the right pop of color to any summer tablescape. And, I'm thinking a caprese salad would look even more appetizing on this plate!"

—Marina Liao, Senior Commerce Editor

Outdoor Family Picnic & Beach Blanket

"I finally splurged on a good quality waterproof outdoor blanket for park picnics and beach days, and it is 100 percent worth it. I love the striped design of this one, and it folds up really easily. I can confirm that water and mud won't seep through it. I love that it's bigger than most waterproof blankets too, so we can all really spread out."

—Elyse Moody, Senior Features Editor

Seoul Candle

"Whether you're entertaining outdoors or indoors, candles always help set the mood. Diptyque’s cult favorite City Candle collection is back for one week only, until June 26, and I love the design of the Seoul vessel. Grab a few of these to place around the home or on your tablescape, then let all your guests inhale the scents of hibiscus and incense. My husband was born in Seoul, so having this candle in the home, even when we're not lighting it, is a perfect nod to his culture. And while I'm at it, I may as well grab the New York City one to honor my own hometown."

—Marina Liao, Senior Commerce Editor

Beach Umbrella

"The older I get the more I want to enjoy the sun without getting a tan (or often in my case, a burn), so shade at an outdoor party is a must. I love the fun addition of fringe on this classic blue and white umbrella, but S&L sells a variety of styles for the beach or your backyard this summer."

–Katelyn Lunders, Deputy Digital Editor

Small Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

"Having an easy-to-use, reliable Bluetooth speaker on hand is so important for outdoor entertaining—you don’t want the sound to get swallowed by the open atmosphere, nor do you want to be fumbling with the controls while trying to pair your summer party playlist. Just slightly bigger than a softball, the WONDERBOOM 3 packs big sound into a small (and pretty cute!) package. It offers 360-degree audio, nicely visable volume controls, and an impressive 14-hour battery life (along with a red low-power indicator when those hours are waning). Importantly, it has an IP67 rating for dirt- and water-resistance, and if it happens to fall into the pool or the lake, it’ll float right to the surface!"

—Melanie Yates, Senior Digital Editor

Scallop Trim Placemat, Set of 4

"I love the idea of a fabric placemat because they're so easy to clean. They also add a more of a playful, and softer touch to an outdoor dining space than wooden or plastic ones. The scallop trim is a much-welcome decorative extra. Nothing says whimsy like a scallop trim."

—Jessica Cherner, Associate Shopping Editor

Delrio Outdoor Dining Table

"Outdoor entertainment means outdoor dinner parties and alfresco dining! This gorgeously crafted dining table new from Arteriors is perfect for gathering around and sharing a meal. I love the mixed materials. It's made of teak wood and synthetic rope so it'll last you season after season. And there's a matching bench so you can squeeze even more people around the table if you like! "

—Catherine DiPersico, Assistant Market Editor

Woven Vetiver Grass Wine Bottle Holder

"Wine bottles have always been awkward for me to carry, and I'm always worried they're going to break in my tote bag. I used to have an adjustable carrier for my bike, but in classic New York fashion, it was stolen. These days, I'm showing up to the park hang with my wine in a basket that looks more like a chic basket bag. The top handle allows for easy grip, and the small strap wraps around the neck for extra security."

–Kate McGregor, Digital Editor

Melamine Paper Plates

"These cute melamine plates have been in my cart for SO long. I love the simple and slightly retro design and think they're adorable for indoor and outdoor use. I want to get all three sizes, including the hot dog plates, which will be perfect for grilling on the Fourth of July."

–Elyse Moody, Senior Features Editor

Party Pack Picnic Basket (22 Piece Set)

"One of the best purchases I've ever made was a fully equipped picnic basket from Facebook Marketplace. Having one makes impromptu adventures to the park so much easier, and they're ideal for carrying supplies and keeping a matching aesthetic when you have planned outdoor events. While I'm not positive what brand my pre-loved picnic basket is, this 22-piece set from West Elm is such a gorgeous option. It's a wicker basket with a striped, cotton-lined interior that would look beautiful in the sand or in the grass, and it comes with plates, forks, knives, spoons, wine glasses, and one corkscrew. All you need is a chic blanket (see Elyse's suggestion for that), some friends who love al fresco dining, and you're set for summer."

— Meghan Shouse, Assistant Editor

Kona Outdoor Table Tennis Table 4-Player Bundle

"It may seem extravagant, but we live in an area with three very good, "live outside" seasons. So after we put in our Pottery Barn modular kitchen with a Zephyr outdoor fridge we decided we needed somewhere outside to play...you can only eat and drink so much! Our solution: table tennis! We looked for a weatherproof ping pong table that would be easy to use and come with everything. This bundle comes 80 percent assembled, with four rackets and twelve balls (including a pouch that attaches to the base to keep them in--no more wondering where the balls are!) and an outdoor cover. It's regulation size, easily folds up to store back in your garage or wheel around, and offers a single play option. We chose this one because competitors had tops that detached when folded and we did not want to deal with that. This one is super easy and all one piece. Great for a game or going back in time to a neighborhood beer pong challenge! Another bonus: if you get stuck when assembling that 20 percent, a real life person is there to help you through! Win-win!"

—Carisha Swanson, Director of Special Projects

Faye Pitcher

"I'll finally have a small outdoor deck area this summer, so I'm thinking of all the new entertaining pieces I'll need to buy. A pitcher for water (or lemonade) is high on my wish list because it makes a tablescape look more pulled together than if I just had my Brita sitting out. There are so many fun options on the market, including this one from Anthropoloigie with the sweetest summer motifs!"

—Marina Liao, Senior Commerce Editor

The All Day Madeleine Midi Cooler Backpack

"Living in New York City is great, until you want to have a cookout and the nearest park or beach is 30+ minutes away. This summer, I'm no longer going to accept a beach day with luke warm drinks and melting snacks. Instead, I have my eye on this cute cooler backpack from Stanley. This midi option holds up to 20 cans, or 20L which means I can bring plenty to share. Plus, the colors are so much fun, and I won't have to worry about my park drinks melting in the city underground."

–Kate McGregor, Digital Editor

Portable Wooden Table

"My mom loves to joke that we’re the 'party in a bag' family. We love traveling with items that create a pop-up party no matter where we go, and this versatile wooden table is one of our staples. We brought this on our trip to Martha’s Vineyard last summer, and had a full beach picnic of Jamaican jerk chicken, rice, and drinks, with this as the serving station. It was an absolute hit, and way more stable than laying everything out on a beach blanket would’ve been."

—Janae McKenzie, Associate Shopping Editor

Giant Cabana Dayclub

"A good float can instantly elevate a pool party, lake visit, or beach day, and this giant cabana daybed is next-level. With seating for four, a central cooler for drinks, built-in cup holders, and a removable mesh sunshade, you can spend hours lounging on it with friends."

—Kelly Allen, Associate Editor

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