Celebrate Summer In Style With Tips From Jeanne Benedict

STUDIO CITY (CBS) — What better way to celebrate summer than with a 4th of July party!

Jeanne Benedict visited the KCAL9 studios Wednesday to share some backyard entertaining tips that will kick off the summer season the right way!

Getting Your Backyard Ready for a Summer, Patriotic-Themed Party

• Tip #1: Prep Your Backyard for Guests: In the spirit of summer, I like to host parties in my backyard. Before guests arrive, I prep the backyard for fun festivities. To get the yard in good shape, I do all the necessary maintenance. I make sure to mow the lawn a few days before guests arrive so there aren't any grass clippings, pop off the heads of all dandelions and plant pretty flowers.

• Tip #2: Pick a Theme and Carry It Through All Décor: One of the ways that I prepare for a big backyard gathering is to plan a party with a theme. So in the spirit of Fourth of July, we have a patriotic theme and carry this throughout the party space. To help keep mosquitoes at bay for guests relaxing in the backyard, I'll provide several OFF!® Clip-On™ Mosquito Repellents with the American Flag design which is new this summer and perfect for Fourth of July. This is a personal mosquito repellent that doesn't have to be applied directly to skin and the quiet, battery powered fan circulates an odorless repellent, within minutes creating head-to-toe protection for up to 12 hours. I plan to use this product while my family and I go watch fireworks.

I also have some themed decor here you can use these patriotic-themed vases as centerpieces. I've included some sand, shells in some clear vases and attached ribbon to pull through our patriotic theme (demo product). Or, you can simply decorate a flower pot by wrapping it in scrap book paper or fabric. Voilà – a themed centerpiece.

• Tip #3: Set Up a Game Station to Keep Guests Young and Old Entertained: Finally, for the kids (and adults) make this into an All-American backyard party. Have the backyard activities like ring toss, bean bag toss, and fun outdoor sport equipment in the yard.

• Tip #4: Send Your Guests Home with a "Summer Fun Pack:" At the end of the night, give guests a "Summer Fun Pack" with this theme included to get them excited for fun-filled summer days ahead and make sure my party was memorable. I'll include things like summer games, beach towels and sunscreen in a beach bucket.

For more tips from Jeanne, visit her online.