I threw a gourmet s’mores outdoor party and here are all the prominent features that you can use for your own party!
This post is sponsored by TIKI® Brand and contains affiliate links. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
You all know I am in love with our courtyard and that we spend a lot of time outside during the summer months entertaining friends and family around the firepit in the space. The weather has warmed up recently and the plants, trees and grass are starting to make a turn for the green. I thought it would be a fun opportunity to host the first official “summer” gathering of the season, focused on one of our favorite activities – gourmet s’mores around the fire. To make the event more special, I decided to go all out with a gourmet s’mores bar complete with some bold decor in shades of coral and aqua. Since our plants were still in the early stages of spring growth I thought the bold color combo would be a fun addition to the space. I also added to the “fire” theme with some added torches from TIKI® Brand.
For the gourmet s’mores bar, I picked up the following:
- Marshmallows
- Regular Graham Crackers
- Chocolate Graham Crackers
- Two variety bags of Ghirardelli chocolate squares {I used the Sea Salt Caramel, Mint, Caramel and Raspberry Flavors}
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- Butterfinger Cups {my husband almost died of excitement when he found out these existed}
- White Chocolate
The possibilities with a gourmet s’mores bar are endless! I found these little chalkboard clips in the scrapbook section at Target and they were the perfect accessory to label the various types of chocolate and grahams.
Within the interior of the charming courtyard, I used four of these aqua-colored glass TIKI® Brand Torches as well as a TIKI® Brand Glowing Table Torch. Once we were ready to start roasting the s’mores, we removed the TIKI® Brand Table Torch after capping the flame, and used the LED light from it to light up the drink station.
All of the TIKI® Brand Torches I used can be purchased at Target and we filled them all with the TIKI® Brand Torch Fuel.
- Outdoor parties can be casual so don’t stress yourself out over the little things when it comes to planning the get together. Simplicity works well!
- TIKI® Brand Torches create a relaxing ambiance for your party that is good to have. Your guests will enjoy it!
- Don’t feel the need to offer a full meal. With the warmer weather, don’t hesitate to host a drinks and dessert only party. That takes a lot of the pressure off the host and hostess, yet the party ambience is still maintained!
- Pick a color scheme and go with it. As the months turn warmer and your outside environment colors intensify, don’t be afraid to stick to one or two main colors. Your party will feel more thought-out if you have coordinating accessories, plates and cutlery.
- Add fresh flowers. If you don’t consider yourself an expert arranger, follow this simple tip: by selecting a variety of flower types, stick to one color scheme. This helps add texture but makes the look cohesive. I picked up a $4.87 bunch of tulips and another of roses, but with coral tones. With outdoor entertaining, your flower arrangements can be more organic and loose so the uniform color scheme makes it look a little more pulled together yet not too formal.
- Label your foods and/or drinks in a creative way. The chalkboard clips I added are not only useful but add a touch of whimsy to the look. This is a quick and easy way to add functionality but also tons of personality to your gathering, whether formal or informal.
- Leverage trays, baskets and bar carts. Not only does this help define various “stations” and make everything look more put together, these items will make clean-up a breeze when your party wraps up.
- Lastly, have fun! Don’t let your host or hostess duties keep you from enjoying yourself. Your guests will feel much more relaxed when you are too!
There is something so peaceful, ethereal and magical about the warm glow from fire. The flames seem to make everyday gatherings feel that much more special and I know we’ll be getting a lot more use out of our firepit and the TIKI® Brand Torches this season. By the way, you can purchase these TIKI® Brand products at Target. Oh, the s’mores bar was a huge hit so that is definitely something else I’m sure we’ll see lots of this summer. Which may not be a good thing for our waistlines!
Want to create your own summer magic package from TIKI® Brand in your backyard? Check out the details of this amazing giveaway below!
TIKI® Brand GIVEAWAY PACKAGE:
4 TIKI® Brand Glass Torches + 1 TIKI® BrandGlowing Table Torch + 1 64oz Bottle TIKI® Brand Torch Fuel + 1 Snap & Pour = Retail Value $107.93
To enter to win this awesome outdoor summer kit, please respond in comments answering the following question: “How does the TIKI® Brand help to create the perfect environment for your outdoor entertaining?”
This post is sponsored by TIKI® Brand, but as always, all opinions are my own.
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This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
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It would help in every way…we are in the process of planning out a fire pit area since we re-cycled our playset to Ethan last fall 🙂 He is loving it, we are loving it gone!!
I just love the soft glow that the lights provide. It is so much nicer to sit outside without the big ole’ flood lights blinding you!
I like the nighttime lighting provided by the torches and the citronella fuel helps to keep the mosquitoes away!
this would allow us to move the party outside. without the tiki torches, guests would get eaten by bugs!
We only have a large patio for outdoor entertaining –Tiki Torches would be the perfect addition to add mood lighting. We are planning a graduation party for our son–Smores are on the menu, thanks for the suggestions to make it more fun!
It helps by having a nice, warmly lit environment without having the harsh overhead lights on from our patio. It would make me feel like I’m on an island vacation and back in Hawaii!
Love this! Also your patio furniture and fire pit, where is it from?
Thanks Christy! We got the furniture and firepit from Costco last year. The firepit is propane which we LOVE!
These tips are great, Sarah! I love the idea of a drinks and dessert party and gourmet smores are totally the way to go! Love your set up and those torches are fab!!
We are planning a graduation party for our son in the backyard. The torches would provide great ambiance lighting.
What a fun giveaway. I am curious which smore combinations what the favorite? 🙂
Absolutely love the for torches. They would add such a fun element to the flagstone patio and pergola that we had done last year.
Wow! Those are not your average tiki torches – they are gorgeous and would fit in perfectly with my new screened-in porch mini makeover!
Such a fun and cute idea to do a gourmet party like this!! The torches are awesome!!
Love your outdoor area, and the tiki torches add so much character! I also really love your little chalkboard clips on the plate! 😉
Great giveaway, Sarah! My boys would LOVE the gourmet smores, and those torches are the cutest!
~Abby =)
The Tiki torches add the perfect amount of light and probably help keeps bugs away as well!
These TIKI torches add such a pretty light at night. I also like that they look nice in the day, not your average TIKI torches. Love our outdoor area. 🙂
I think it creates a beautiful atmosphere that covers all aspects of outdoor entertaining!
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
The Tiki Brand products add that extra umph to an outdoor space. I only have 1 outdoor light on my patio currently so I’d love to add some Tiki lightening to enhance the ambiance.
I love the light they produce. These would look fabulous in my backyard for the season.
Tweeted about giveaway: https://twitter.com/connsean71/status/467633029968445440
im amazed at the ambiance you created! tiki brand clearly can add a new level of decor to an outdoor area! dtdady at gmail dot com
Oh man! Tiki is great for upping your outdoor entertaining game! Add a few torches to make a pathway to the party and a few more around your gathering area and bam! It’s like your instantly transported to an island 🙂 out back yard is in serious need of some tiki torches!
Because nothing says summer like the ambiance of a tiki glow On a summer night
I love the warm glow of fire, we regularly sit outside around our fit pit when people gather at our house. These torches would add such a warm and dramatic effect. Love your s’mores bar too! Thanks for linking up at our first Pinterest Link Party, I’ll be featuring you this coming Sunday.
I like the ambiance the soft light creates outdoors.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/469992695340220417
The Tiki brand provides a sense of relief against mosquitoes when outdoors, compliments our outdoor decor and adds to the ambiance with their great styling. My children would also think they are incredibly cool!
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/470623761041862657
mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com
Tiki creates such a romantic environment. I could just imagine cuddling up with my husband and enjoying this.
They would help set the ambiance and keep the bugs away.
hewella1 at gmail dot com
What a fun blog! I love how you used the chalkboard clips Sarah. The Tiki torches really add subtle warmth to the patio and backyard areas and I think it’s great how they make any area more welcoming. Thanks so much for the giveaway! 🙂
Absolutely love tiki torches! I’ve been wanting to get a few for our new backyard patio. Not only does it add terrific warmth but it also helps keep bugs away!
Tweeted!
https://twitter.com/valryne/status/473833975656755201
It sets the perfect summer night mood!
I am crazy for the globe that sits on the table! It would provide a warm glow and keep bugs away! Tiki brand has come a long way from the old wicker looking torches!
I love how tiki torches set the mood lighting and make the outdoor patio feel warmer neyabenz(at)gmail(dot)com
Tiki torches help create the mood for my party with their glow at night. The citronella also helps keep the bugs away which is always a plus. Their style has change a lot too from the looks of the old Tiki torches from the past. I love the new glass ones!
Tiki sets the mood and gets the party started, especially when the guests are guided to the patio by the light of the torches. I had no idea that the new torches had LED lights inside! What great innovation!
Awesome fun would love to share this with my family and friends on our back patio in Colorado. 🙂 will be going to Target to get some Tiki supplies. Awesome new products I hadnt seen before and definately will use.
Awesome fun would love to share this with my family and friends on our back patio in Colorado. 🙂 will be going to Target to get some Tiki supplies. Awesome new products I hadnt seen before and definately will use.
Our area doesnt have street lights but my husband , myself and our grandkids love to be outdoors in the evening. We have two tiki lights that make it possible to be out. Plus they dont draw in bugs like a light does.
Living in Florida, it is impossible to be outside for even a few mins without being carried away by mosquitos, the Tiki brand torches would make our backyard beautiful and tolerable.
would help our are by getting the mosquitos i live in tx and there bad and it would make an inviting space also
This would create the perfect summer gathering because of the ambiance it would create as well as the ability to repel bugs.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/481482072373346304
i had not seen these before – i think they are just beautiful; I would love to have some near my patio and it
is great that they help repel mosquitos
debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
I posted a tweet
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/483363985215856640
debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com
Tiki helps by being functional, yet very stylish too!
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
test
haha sorry! weird that I made up a comment and it disappeared! I don’t think it was moderated.
I said this:
I feel that they give it that perfect ambience, mood & glow! I also LOVE your s’mores bar party idea! very cool!
Thank you for the chance to win!
joeycanwin(at)gmail(dot)com
I tweeted also:
https://twitter.com/JoeyinSC/status/483923855803559936
joeycanwin(at)gmail(dot)com
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/484145653174374400
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net
Tiki will absolutely help by giving my patio a great amber on those special nights!
https://twitter.com/myfolly/status/484966506891997184
There is just something so relaxing about outdoors, semi-darkness, and flickering fires. This brings it all together. I love the new look of the Tiki torches.
willitara [at] gmail [dot] com
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/485138758040555520
willitara [at] gmail [dot] com
I want to buy these. Where may i get this? accessories, makeup
Hi Abigail – they should be available for purchase at Target!
I love TIKI torches! My husband and kids get eaten alive by our WI national bird the Mosquito! This makes it hard to enjoy our new outdoor kitchen, pool, and bocce ball court when we’re entertaining so TIKI torches are a must for us. We are slowly accumulating enough torches for our one acre yard so we can enjoy the outdoors without any party crashers aka the mosquito!