If you are thinking about hosting a party at your home or are in charge of preparing for one at an outside venue, there are many things you must consider such as what food will be served, what activities will be planned, there be games and if so, what will the prizes be and decorations.  Of course, the number one thing that makes a party a good party is the people.  The second thing that makes a party a good one is the ambiance of the event and its location.  Ambiance can be achieved in many ways through music, decorations and lighting.  In this article, I will talk about some outdoor party lighting ideas to make your guests feel comfortable while enjoying a party atmosphere.

There are many ways that ambiance can be achieved and manipulated with lighting but I will only be talking about several popular ones that many people are using as of late.

1) Origami Lighting 
This Asian-influenced type of lighting is created by using origami lanterns.  There lanterns can be either bought or you can make them yourself or have someone else make them for you.  If you chose to buy them in store, you will have many colors and shapes to choose from.  Some will be made to stand alone on a tabletop while others can be hung from a lamppost.  They can be purchased at some department stores but you will find the best ones and widest selection in stores that cater to the Asian population in major centers.

2) Candle Lighting
A new way of decorating with candles is with candle chandeliers.  A candle chandelier is basically a bottle or jar that is decorated on the exterior to match the décor and has a lit candle sitting on the inside.  Of course, the top is left open to let the candle breathe.  Some craft stores may have these for sale but they are so easy to make yourself and take very little time.  The possibilities are endless when it comes to what shape bottle you will use and how you will decorate it.  You can even use scented candles for an added ambient effect!

candle chandelier

3) Patio Lights
The usage of patio lights to light up exterior locations has been around for a long time but it is just as popular as ever!  Patio lights come in may shapes, sizes and colors to suit the mood of your event and match the other decorations.  Patio lights can be purchased in any department store or hardware store.  Some outdoor gear stores even sell them as some people use them while camping.  As an alternative, Christmas lights can be used instead and have the same ambient effect.    

patio lighting

When choosing your lighting, keep in mind the theme of your party, the ages and gender of the majority of your guests and do not go overboard unless the theme calls for it!  A little goes a long way when it comes to party lighting. 

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Filed under: Party • Party Decorations

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