Create a safari photo spot with an animal print backdrop.
With mother nature supplying natural party decor in the form of flowers and greenery, backyard get-togethers can get away with simple, yet functional decorations. Pull a party theme from the menu or take inspiration from the foliage, but remember to secure all supplies against temperamental weather -- even light breezes can wreak havoc on decorations. Does this Spark an idea?
Tropical Travel
Backyard palm trees and exotic flowers make an inspired tropical backdrop. Rent several faux stone island god statues to insert into flowering bushes. Slip a large cooler inside a steamer trunk to store drinks and ice. Create centerpieces from seashells, palm fronds, vintage travel cases and old post cards. Plant Tiki torches around the yard, and incorporate sand candles into the centerpieces as a thematic light source for when the sun goes down, or hang strings of novelty lights shaped like pineapples or pink flamingos. Cover buffet tables with bright, tropical-colored table cloths and trim with grass skirting, or sew together thrift store Hawaiian shirts for more eclectic table linens.
Cowboy Barbeque
Recreate the wild west by giving a backyard barbeque with a cowboy theme. Stop by the local feed store to pick up hay bales for decorative seating and several burlap sacks. Spread the empty sacks across the buffet to accent red-checked tablecloths, or stuff them full of newspapers for 3-D decorations. Buy inexpensive bandanas in bulk to wrap around silverware in place of traditional linen napkins. Scour flea markets and thrift stores for kerosene lamps and lanterns to serve as centerpieces that can double as light sources after sunset. Coil coarse rope around the lamps and finish the centerpieces off with antique spurs or horseshoes.
Jungle Safari
Pillage d cor tips from tribal cultures for a backyard shindig with a safari theme. Drape gauzy white mosquito netting around patio posts, using zebra or tiger print fabric strips as drapery ties. Tack pith helmets and African masks on the walls, along with decorative spears and shields. Tuck stuffed animals or rented cutouts of elephants and lions amongst the foliage for guests to find on their own or as part of a party game. Hang vines and fake snakes from trees, or prop up an overstuffed gorilla costume up as a comedic, jungle-inspired photo opportunity. Create table centerpieces out of tribal vases filled with tropical flowers, or go kitschy with a diorama-like display created out of miniature bamboo and plastic toy exotic animals.
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