Entertaining? It’s time to take it outside.

With the season for outdoor entertaining in full swing, we’ve rounded up a collection of items we’re coveting for our next seaside, streetside or parkside soiree. Just add food and frosty drinks and you should be good to go all summer long. By Terri Sapienza.

5 Seconds

00:00

The key to success when dining outdoors is keeping fuss at a minimum. Here's an idea: Have a roomy tote bag packed with essentials so you're ready to pack a picnic at a moment's notice. QUADRILLE TOTE BAGS: Made with outdoor fabrics from the Quadrille designer fabric line, these durable totes are also lined with acrylic, so spills can be dealt with when the party's over. Small, $175; large, $195. (www.quadrillefabrics.com)

Deb Lindsey / for The Washington Post

BEACH TOWELS: The vibrant prints on these generously sized towels (46-by-90 inches) will add energy to any shindig. $100 each. (www.robertarollerrabbit.com)

Roberta Freymann

SPLASH-PROOF AM/FM OUTDOOR RADIO: Listen to the radio or connect your iPod and queue up your picnic playlist. $49.50. (www.frontgate.com)

Frontgate

IKAT MELAMINE PLATES: Opt for reusable plastic instead of disposable paper products for your next party. This set would make a charming hostess gift, too. $16 for a set of four. (www.wisteria.com)

Wisteria

BAMBOO FLATWARE: This reusable set of full-size utensils epitomizes simple summer style. $4.95 for a three-piece place setting. (www.crateandbarrel.com)

/ Crate and Barrel

BOX-WEAVE HURRICANE: Add ambiance as the sun goes down with a grouping of candles. $29. (www.westelm.com)

/ West Elm

SALUD GOBLET: Toast your guests, and the weather, with elegant acrylic goblets. $10 each, also in blue and green. (www.anthropologie.com)

Anthropologie

CLOVE TABLECLOTH: Drape this cheery cover over any surface to instantly transform an outdoor space. From $70. (www.johnrobshaw.com)

John Robshaw Textiles

Featured Photo Galleries

In this image released by the Miss Universe Organization, Miss Washington USA 2012, Christina Clarke; Miss West Virginia USA 2012, Andrea Rogers; and Miss Wisconsin USA 2012, Emily Guerin compete in their swimwear by Kooey Australia and fashion footwear by Chinese Laundry during the 2012 Miss USA Presentation Show on May 30, 2012 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2012 MISS USA Pageant will air LIVE on NBC June 3 at 9:00 p.m. ET from the Theatre for Performing Arts in Las Vegas. = RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT 'AFP PHOTO / Miss Universe Organization / DARREN DECKER' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS =DARREN DECKER/AFP/GettyImages

Miss Universe, Beijing Aquarium, National Spelling Bee and more in the day in photos

Miss Universe, Beijing Aquarium, National Spelling Bee and more.

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 30: Jon Stewart attends the Sesame Street Workshop 10th Annual Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 30, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Jon Stewart, Justin Bieber, Bruce Springsteen, Lil Wayne, Michelle Williams and other celebrities.

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is seen in a camera on the end of the International Space Station's Canadarm2 robotic arm as it moves away from the station in preparation for its return to earth in this image from NASA TV May 31, 2012. REUTERS/NASA TV (SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

SpaceX prepares to return home

The SpaceX Dragon capsule detached from the international space station Thursday morning.

Police investigate the scene where a man who was believed to have shot and killed several people earlier in the day shot himself Wednesday, May 30, 2012, in the West Seattle neighborhood of Seattle. A gunman opened fire at a Seattle cafe earlier Wednesday, killing three people and critically wounding two others and later a man believed to be the same suspect shot and killed a woman and took her car near downtown, abandoning it less than two miles from where the alleged shooter shot himself as officers closed in on him, authorities said. His condition wasn't immediately known. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Gunman kills five, shoots himself in Seattle

A gunman killed five people in Seattle — four at a cafe and another in a carjacking.

LANDOVER, MD May 30, 2012 U.S. Men's National Team midfielder Fabian Johnson (23) hits a crossing pass to forward Herculez Gomez (9) for their 1st half goal against Brazil Men's National Team goalie Rafael (12) on May 30, 2012 in Landover, MD (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)

Brazil too much for U.S. to handle

Herculez Gomez scores just before halftime, but Brazil runs away with a 4-1 victory.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

Editor’s choice: Reader-submitted photos

Some of the Post’s top picks of snapshots taken and submitted by readers.

HANDOUT PHOTO: Camera men film as the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft carrying the International Space Station (ISS) crew, U.S. astronaut Joseph Acaba and Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin, blasts off from it's launch pad at Baikonur cosmodrome, May 15, 2012. (Courtesy of Shamil Zhumatov/ADAY.org)

A snapshot of life

ADAY.org aimed to capture a picture of life across the globe on one day: May, 15, 2012.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.