Tips to Spice Up
Your Fall Party

Moving your dining room table outside for a party might sound like a crazy idea, but crazy times call for crazy measures. And crazy certainly describes the time we are living in right now.

We moved one of our favorite dining tables, the Magnolia Home Truss & Strap Dining Table, outside to show you how great it can look surrounded by the green, soon-to-be-changing landscape. Seeing an indoor dining table outside can be the unexpected element that will really wow your guests.

With cooler temperatures and beautiful scenery, fall is an ideal time of year to host an outdoor party, and our design team here at Union Furniture has lots of ideas on how to spice up your next gathering. We have tips for dressing your table, setting the right ambience, creating a fun drink station and more.

The Layered Look

Go for the layered look when it comes to dressing your table. Don’t be afraid to use both a runner, which allows the beauty of your table to show, and placemats (woven ones add nice texture) or chargers (we like wood slab ones).

Opt for tablecloths on folding tables and any table that just isn’t pretty. A throw with warm colors makes an easy tablecloth, or you can buy burlap by the yard for a good price. You can still add a runner over the top. It doesn’t have to be fancy or traditional — a fall-colored scarf is a fun choice.

A grouping of lanterns makes a nice fall centerpiece, and instead of candles, you can fill them with mini pumpkins, gourds or any seasonal décor. Or for a simpler look, consider using half of a split log as a centerpiece to run the length of your table and place tealight candles on top.

Flameless candles are a safe option that offer the look of a real flame.

Colored glass jars have been popular sellers in the store. Just add a couple of seasonal stems — look around your garden or yard for inspiration — and set them on tables to add color and texture.

If you’re using cloth napkins and you want to dress up the look of your table scape, napkin rings add a nice touch. They don’t have to be formal. Ribbon, twine or jute work well, and you can add a seasonal flower stem or a piece of wheat to add a seasonal flair.

You can do the same to dress up the chairs, and it can bring a cohesive feel if you are using different kinds of chairs.

For setting out your food, we love using pedestals and cake stands to add height and interest to your table scape so everything isn’t flat and one level.

Seasonal Ambience

String lights are still popular for adding a twinkle to outdoor gatherings, but if you don’t have the right set up for them, there are other ways to add ambience. Tiki torches with citronella oil can help keep bugs at bay. Corn stalks and straw bales (which can double as extra seating) create a rustic look. Add color with pumpkins, gourds and mums. Place the mums in galvanized buckets or wrap the plastic planters they come in with burlap to dress them up. We also love the look of tucking small pumpkins and gourds into your planters alongside mums.

Set out old quilts and blankets in a crate or basket for guests who get chilly. It’s also a great way to add more color and pattern to your space.

If children will be at the party, consider having a DIY table with fall crafts or paint-your-own-pumpkin supplies. Or if you have an old projector, set up an area where you can show a seasonal movie. A sheet or even the side of a house can serve as the movie screen.

And no outdoor fall party is complete without a fire pit, which only begs for a s’mores station. We have marshmallow roasting sticks and trays to organize your marshmallows, graham crackers and candy so that the process goes smoothly.

I’ll Drink to That!

Whether your party calls for alcohol or not, a good drink station is always key. Have a separate table set up with ice, cups, glasses and everything your guests will need. If you want to add an element of fun, create a signature drink like a fall sangria that you can serve from a drink dispenser.  

Using a galvanized container filled with ice and bottled drinks has been popular for years, but a new twist is to use something like a wheelbarrow as the container. It’s another element of the unexpected.

Soup’s On, and More

This time of year has our mouths watering for seasonal favorites like chicken and dumplings, chili and other soups. They go great with grilled cheese sandwiches, which you can make with a variety of twists. 

We also love mac and cheese and a recipe for Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes that we found on Pinterest.

And no fall party is complete without an apple dish. We like apple cake, apple strudel or another Pinterest recipe for Boozy Apples. Cut the apple into slices, soak them in vodka for an hour, and then have a station where guests can dip slices in caramel and then sprinkle with their choice of toppings, like coconut, mini chocolate chips or candy pieces. If your mouth is watering, see our post for Your Fall Bucket List that includes our recipes for Apple Praline Pie and Cran-Apple Sangria.