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Set the stage. If time allows, cut the grass, and trim the bushes for a nice groomed look and fresh cut fragrance. For a quick splash of color, place a few terra cotta pots filled with flowering plants on your deck or patio.

If necessary, bring indoor chairs or tables outside. Use folding tables and chairs or have guests "BYOC"—bring your own chair! Try a cotton quilt for a makeshift tablecloth. Or use blankets on the grass, for a lazy, laid-back picnic on the grounds.

Light the night. With a jet black, star-filled sky, the glimmer of twinkling candles can make the evening seem almost magical. I love to place white votive candles in simple Mason jars and line them along our deck's railing. Keep bugs away, while adding to the ambiance with citronella candles. For a tropical touch, purchase a few tiki torches. They'll burn for hours and give an instant party feel as guests arrive. Try a simply "sensational" lighting effect and place floating candles in a plastic baby pool. Toss in a few flowers and your guests will think they're in Hawaii!

Make it self-service. Use bright-colored, disposable plates, cups, and utensils for a simple, festive party. Toss eating utensils into a child's beach pail. Throw some beverages on ice in a cooler or galvanized bucket. For a large group, fill a baby pool with ice and beverages. Use a plastic sand shovel as an ice scoop. Try inexpensive terra cotta pots as creative chip containers. Place an outdoor garbage can in a convenient spot for self-service clean up. The easier you make the party, the more "at ease" you, your spouse, and your friends will be.

Keep the food simple. Proverbs 15:17 reminds us, "Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred." In other words, keep the food simple and enjoy serving others. The menu can be as easy as bringing home potato salad and a bucket of chicken. Or heat up a slow cooker with sloppy joe mix to put on fresh rolls. Or have a chef's salad bar where every guest brings an ingredient. For dessert, carve up a fresh watermelon or pass out Popsicles.

Go grill! An outdoor grill's fragrant aromas help stir your guests' appetites. Burgers, hot dogs, steaks, and shish kebabs can be cooked up for a crowd. For delicious vegetables, wrap sweet onions or corn on the cob and a dab of butter in heavy-duty foil and toss on the grill. For a sweet treat, skewer up some marshmallows to roast for dessert, or better yet, serve an all-around campground favorite, s'mores.

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