With warm weather approaching, our thoughts turn to alfresco dining. Here’s a roundup of the essentials that our editors keep on hand to make outdoor dining and entertaining easy.
Indestructible Glasses
![](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/outdoor-dining-acrylic-barware-glasses-cb2-733x528.png)
Linen Tablecloth
![Francesca likes the Natural Linen Table Cloth with black stripes, which is available in several sizes, starting at 55 by 80 inches; \$73.8\1 from Alabatis via Etsy.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/outdoor-dining-striped-linen-tablecloth-etsy-733x1100.jpg)
Bistro-Style Flatware
![Julie stocks up on bistro-style flatware; the \20-piece Gingko Le Prix Flatware is available in several colors; \$40.39 at Amazon.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/outdoor-dining-flatware-ginkgo-international-plastic-handles-amazon-733x477.png)
Bistro-Style Wine Glasses
![For sipping wine outdoors, we like the classic French bistro-style Clear Tumbler Wine Glasses from Picardie; a set of six is \$\14.48 at Amazon.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/picardie-bistro-style-wine-glass-733x486.png)
Hardwood Bowls
![Christine\2\17;s favorite bowls for serving summer salads are Colonial Hardwood Bowls made of walnut; \$35 to \$\16\1, depending on size, at the Vermont Bowl Co.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/outdoor-dining-hardwood-bowls-vermont-733x542.png)
Glass Carafes
![The Wide Mouth Juice Jar from German company Weck can be used as a refrigerator-to-table container for homemade iced tea, coffee, or juice. A set of two 7.\25-inch jars is \$\14 at Terrain (rubber rings and metal clamps included).](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/outdoor-dining-wide-mouth-weck-jar-733x525.png)
Wooden Trays
![Janet is devoted to the Stockholm Serving Tray from Ikea; made of clear lacquered ash veneer, it measures \20 inches in diameter; \$34.99.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/outdoor-dining-ikea-wooden-tray-stockholm-733x489.png)
Hurricane Lanterns
![Michelle protects candle flames from wind with clear glass Glasig Lanterns from Ikea; \$9.99 each.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/outdoor-dining-hurricane-lantern-ikea-733x493.png)
Water Pitchers
![We\2\17;re partial to the Emile Henry Pitcher for water service. Handcrafted from local clay in Burgundy, the pitcher is available in several colors, including Flour (shown); \$50 at Emile Henry.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/outdoor-dining-emile-henry-pitcher-733x487.png)
String Lights
![For garden lighting, Julie uses LED Commercial Grade Outdoor Light Strands. A 48-foot-long strand of weatherproof lights is \$4\1.99 from Amazon.](https://media.gardenista.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/outdoor-dining-entertaining-string-lights-733x491.jpg)
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