Before guests arrive
- Put out one lined trash bin and one recycling bin for every 40 guests, with spare bags in the bottom of each.
- Put a bin by the drinks, by the food and by the gate. That's where things get finished.
- Set a cooler or tub aside for empty cans and bottles.
- Clear a fridge shelf for leftovers.
- Run and empty the dishwasher so it's ready.
- Pick up toys, hoses and anything you don't want stepped on or spilled on.
During the party
- Empty bins once, usually after the meal.
- Get food into the fridge within two hours of serving it, or one hour if it's above 90°F outside (USDA).
- Keep an eye on grills and fire pits until they're fully out.
Before bed
Do these the same night. They get worse by morning.
- Food away: leftovers in the fridge, the rest bagged and out.
- Kitchen: dishwasher loaded and running, counters wiped.
- Trash: bags tied and in the outdoor bins, lids closed so animals can't get in.
- Glass: pick up bottles and broken glass from the lawn and patio.
- Pets: check the yard for bones, skewers and chocolate before letting dogs out.
- Fire: grill off, coals soaked, fire pit out.
In the morning
Daylight makes the rest quick: cups and napkins in the grass, folding chairs and tables, a sweep of the patio, and returning anything you borrowed.
If you'd rather sleep in
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