Have a Picnic! 8 Ways to Make the Most of the Coming Weekend
Set aside time to have fun, do some planting and honor Dad for Father’s Day
With Father’s Day coming up on Sunday, June 17, in the U.S. and with International Picnic Day on June 18, this is a good weekend to enjoy a meal outdoors, hang out on the patio and try something from your summer fun list. Eight could-dos for a satisfying weekend are ahead.
2. Expand your garden space with repurposed containers. If you’d like to add more plants to your garden but the beds are getting full, consider extending the available space by adding a planter or two. Sturdy metal stock tanks can be used for growing edibles (at this point in the year, you’ll need to get store-bought plants rather than seeds), flowers and more. Don’t have a stock tank handy? Look at what you do have available with a creative eye — copper cooking pots, wooden crates and even teapots make unique planters.
Tip: Placing a lightweight filler material (such as empty milk cartons) in the bottom of large containers before adding soil will greatly reduce the weight of the planter, making it easier to move.
10 Repurposed Containers for a One-of-a-Kind Potted Garden
Tip: Placing a lightweight filler material (such as empty milk cartons) in the bottom of large containers before adding soil will greatly reduce the weight of the planter, making it easier to move.
10 Repurposed Containers for a One-of-a-Kind Potted Garden
3. Throw some shade on your patio. If your patio or deck gets full sun, having the right shade setup can make the difference between using it frequently and avoiding it on sunny days. If you already own shade sails or umbrellas, put them up for the season.
If you’d like to add more shade to your outdoor space, first take the time to notice where the sun falls throughout the day. Shade sails are a good option when you want stationary coverage and have a structure (like the edge of the house) that the sails can be attached to. If you’d like to be able to move the shade around the yard, freestanding patio umbrellas make more sense.
8 Stylish Ideas for Shady Outdoor Retreats
If you’d like to add more shade to your outdoor space, first take the time to notice where the sun falls throughout the day. Shade sails are a good option when you want stationary coverage and have a structure (like the edge of the house) that the sails can be attached to. If you’d like to be able to move the shade around the yard, freestanding patio umbrellas make more sense.
8 Stylish Ideas for Shady Outdoor Retreats
4. Visit an open house. Wish you could peek inside the homes in your favorite neighborhood? Attending an open house in your area or one you’re considering moving to can be a useful (and fun) experience, whether or not you’re actively house hunting. Most real estate agents expect a certain amount of open-house traffic to be from curious neighbors, so you don’t need to feel bad about attending.
If you go with an open mind, you might get an idea for renovating or decorating your own home, or glean insights into the current state of the local housing market. To be respectful of the agent’s time, save your questions for when there’s a lull in the crowd — and don’t pretend you’re interested in buying the house if you’re not!
8 Things to Learn From Open Houses (Whether or Not You’re Buying)
If you go with an open mind, you might get an idea for renovating or decorating your own home, or glean insights into the current state of the local housing market. To be respectful of the agent’s time, save your questions for when there’s a lull in the crowd — and don’t pretend you’re interested in buying the house if you’re not!
8 Things to Learn From Open Houses (Whether or Not You’re Buying)
5. Swap out slipcovers. If you have a few different slipcovers, this is a good weekend to trade out the heavier set for light summer whites. Don’t have slipcovers? If you’d like to get more versatility out of your current furniture (and help the upholstery last longer) consider investing in a set.
Check with the manufacturer of your furniture first — there could be a readymade option available for your model. If you can’t find an off-the-shelf style you love, you can hire a local seamstress to make a custom slipcover. Slipcovers (especially tailor-made ones) aren’t cheap, but they do typically cost far less than buying a new couch, and they can give your furniture a whole new look.
Slipcover Magic: Casual, Washable and Fresh for the Season
Check with the manufacturer of your furniture first — there could be a readymade option available for your model. If you can’t find an off-the-shelf style you love, you can hire a local seamstress to make a custom slipcover. Slipcovers (especially tailor-made ones) aren’t cheap, but they do typically cost far less than buying a new couch, and they can give your furniture a whole new look.
Slipcover Magic: Casual, Washable and Fresh for the Season
6. Get an aloe vera plant. As much as you try to always keep the sunscreen and wide-brim hats on hand, there are bound to be a few days when you get a little too much sun. Be prepared for post-sun soothing with an aloe vera plant. These easy-care beauties add a sculptural look to any space and are so handy to have that you’ll wonder why you went so long without one. To use your plant, carefully cut off a small section with a sharp knife, split the leaf open and rub the jelly-like cut side directly on sunburned skin.
A Dozen Summery Touches for the Bath | Find pots and planters
A Dozen Summery Touches for the Bath | Find pots and planters
7. Spoil Dad rotten. Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue, a meal out, a meet-up at an outdoor concert or just a nice chat on the phone on June 17, take some time to consider what would make Father’s Day special. It’s often the simple things — a tall glass of cold brew on the porch, a video chat with a grandkid, gathering around the fire pit until late at night — that can really make Dad’s day great.
Of course, a thoughtful gift, such as the personalized grill tool hanger shown here, is always appreciated too. And if you’re remembering a dad or grandfather who has passed away, honor his memory by bringing out old photos and sharing your favorite stories.
Father’s Day DIY: Make a Personalized Grill Tool Hanger
Of course, a thoughtful gift, such as the personalized grill tool hanger shown here, is always appreciated too. And if you’re remembering a dad or grandfather who has passed away, honor his memory by bringing out old photos and sharing your favorite stories.
Father’s Day DIY: Make a Personalized Grill Tool Hanger
8. Make a summer fun list … and then check something off! From the little things (walk to get ice cream on a hot night) to the big (see fireworks, go camping in a National Park), list all of the good things you want to do in the next few months of summer.
Once you have a nice long list, pick something from it to do this weekend — and do it! Keep your list posted where you can see it daily, such as on a big chalkboard, and pick a few things to do each weekend of summer.
Your turn: What are you looking forward to this weekend? Let us know in the Comments.
More
14 To-Dos to Make the Most of Summer
Father’s Day Extravaganza! 19 Glorious Man Spaces by Houzzers
How to Pick a Patio Umbrella That Performs
Once you have a nice long list, pick something from it to do this weekend — and do it! Keep your list posted where you can see it daily, such as on a big chalkboard, and pick a few things to do each weekend of summer.
Your turn: What are you looking forward to this weekend? Let us know in the Comments.
More
14 To-Dos to Make the Most of Summer
Father’s Day Extravaganza! 19 Glorious Man Spaces by Houzzers
How to Pick a Patio Umbrella That Performs
How to Set Up a Gorgeous Outdoor Dinner Spread