Photo: All Things Heart and Home

Most of us have put in tons of work into creating the perfect kitchen that lets us cook gourmet meals, and comfortably seat our entire family plus the guests. Our kitchens are definitely the heart of the home, but this holiday season we are looking to switch things up a bit. After all, at Better Decorating Bible we LOVE mixing things up a bit! Consider having your big meal outside, or something we like to call “dining alfresco’!

Photo: Bloglovin

Obviously for some of our readers who may live in colder climates where it is already snowing, dining alfresco isn’t really an option. If you are lucky enough to live in a warmer climate like San Diego, Austin or Atlanta, creating an outdoor Thanksgiving is a great way to put a new spin on this very traditionally minded holiday.

So how do you do it? It’s not like Thanksgiving is any other meal, and you definitely don’t want the event to feel like an ordinary summer barbecue! Here are some tips to combine the fun and even some of the taste of summer with the beauty and bounty of a traditional Thanksgiving:

Serve Dinner on Your Deck

One of the best ways to keep Thanksgiving from feeling like any other Thursday is to make sure your guests (and the meal) have solid flooring underneath them. You can Buy outdoor dining settings and have Thanksgiving dinner on your deck or on a platform that you place in your yard. Make sure that whichever option you choose is sturdy and has been properly finished. If you haven’t refinished your deck in a while, this is a great time to get in on the teak refinishing trend that has become so popular.

Use Real Serving Ware

No paper plates, napkins, or plastic cutlery for this dinner. Everything should be served in and on real serving ware and eaten with real and solid utensils. Opt for solid colored ceramics (preferably glazed in fall colors) for the serving dishes and wooden serving utensils. Use heavy white plates and actual silver silverware for the meal. Napkins should be cloth and match the serving platters and ringed with wooden rings that match your serving utensils. This will marry the simplicity of an outdoor meal with the elegance and sophistication of a proper indoor dinner.

Photo: Maria Teresa Debracamonte WordPress

Use Ambience Lighting

Remember, this is late fall so you won’t be able to use the sun’s light to illuminate your entire meal. You also don’t want to let whatever flood lighting you have for the yard act as your only light source. String up decorative LEDs – white lights only, it’s not Christmas yet! Hang a few fall colored paper lanterns (look for pumpkin shapes or plain rectangles with leaves painted on to them), and don’t forget tea lights for a decorative touch.

Photo: The Fresh Exchange Blog

Add a Source of Heat

You might live in a fantastically warm climate (which is what makes this outdoor meal such a good idea) but you’ve likely acclimated to that climate which means you’re likely to feel slightly chilly when eating outdoors. Sweaters only go so far in keeping everyone warm. It is also important to have a heat source or two placed strategically close to the table to help the space feel as warm and inviting as your kitchen. Outdoor fireplaces are a great source for this if you have them. If not, a few space heaters can also do the trick (just make sure you don’t overload your house’s circuit breakers).

Photo: Picklee

Prepare an Outdoor Inspired Meal

You might be tempted to cook everything inside just as you would if the meal were being served indoors. After all, you’ve outfitted your kitchen to accommodate meals just like this one. Since you’re serving outside, though, why not add some of that outdoor flair to your meal by cooking a few things on the grill? Instead of steamed and buttered vegetables, why not grill your veggies instead? Obviously you won’t want to grill your entire meal, but adding some grill flavor is a fantastic way to spice up the meal and tie it in to your surroundings.

Photo: Lexington Company

Eat Dessert Around a Crackling Fire

Remember that outdoor fireplace or fire pit? Why not gather around that for dessert? You’d likely gather around an indoor fireplace for the final part of your meal, right? Provide a few extra warm blankets to help people get cozy as they enjoy their pie and steaming mugs of cider, coffee, hot toddies, whatever. It’s a great way to create an intimate feeling among friends and family and bring the event to a close before everyone heads inside to fall asleep in front of the television.

There are a lot of great ways to incorporate the outdoors during Thanksgiving that aren’t simply tossing a football around in the yard while you wait for the big game to start. Use the hints we’ve suggested here to create an outdoor Thanksgiving that is as inviting as it is elegant. Trust us when we tell you: you’ll be starting a trend!

Photo: Space Grace Style

This exotic and simple dining room is the perfect combination of safari minimalism. The teak dining room set, zebra hide rug, and natural decorative accessories make a great decorative mix that is both trendy yet easy to maintain. Teak furniture is definitely coming back into the decorating scene. It can last forever although it’s super pricey but makes a overall smart investment!

Photo: Julia Rafflenbeul Interior Architecture

Wall murals are one of the most effective ways to transform a room into a different world! Keep in mind that Australian decor is widely influenced by surrounding countries. This wall mural has an Indian print of elephants which makes for a exotic nursery. Now how beautiful does that look?

Photo: Space Grace Style

Photo: Margaret Scholley

Ocean, tribal, and African inspired decorative accessories make this home feel well traveled and mysterious! Sprinkled finds from various travels are great conversation starters and give off an exotic and whimsical vibe.

Photo: Annie Kelly

Photo: Mark Williams

If you ever do visit Australia, dining alfresco is part of Australia’s relaxed and carefree lifestyle. With the warm weather to enjoy, Aussies take time to really appreciate the sun life, and of course food which is important when it comes to outdoor eating. Patio’s have really come a long way from the regular patio set, heavy rustic wooden tables, lamps, comfortable seating, and fine dinnerware make eating outdoors a unforgettable experience!

Photo: Linda Hoffman

Director’s chairs are a big decorating staple when it comes to the outback, and safari-style. Amping these up with leather and studs turned them into glamorous dining chairs!

Photo: Margaret Scholley

With a warm, tropical climate, enjoying outdoor living is something Aussies do year-round! This tiki-style patio in Byron Bay, Australia looks like a dream to lounge in! The outdoor decorating is put together very sleek and simple. The reasoning? With tropical surroundings like that, there is little decor needed to make this patio look absolutely breathtaking!

Photo: Margaret Scholley

Photo: Margaret Scholley

Using natural fibers like jute, sisal, and seagrass are one of the best ways to get a safari-styled home. These rugs are easy to care for, super affordable, and eco-friendly! I love this Australian dining room, so natural, cozy, and comfortable! High rise ceilings make way for the hot air to rise, making the sizzling temperatures much more bearable.