Do-It-Yourself: Patio Edition
A collection of local fare and Newmarket-brewed beers; just some of the many that you can enjoy locally.
Wish you could be sitting on a patio this weekend? If you can’t go to the patio you might just have to try bringing the patio to you. Until we are able to get back to our favourite local patios we have been creating our own Do-It-Yourself patios in the backyard and it is much easier than you’d think!
With just a few simple steps you can customize your own patio with all your favourite local goodies to share with the members of your household.
Plan ahead: Pick a day that the weather is supposed to be sunny. Planning a few days in advance allows you to look forward to something and have time to think about the little details which helps set the whole mood. From a planning perspective right now, the invite list is easy – keep it to your household or FaceTime in some virtual guests.
Set the vibe: I went around my house and picked up little items that I could use to decorate the table and use for food and snacks. For me this included a little lantern, bowls for fruit, a bowl for ice and some fresh flowers. Don’t forget a little speaker and a patio playlist of whatever makes you feel good! If you want to spice up your decor a little more don’t forget that many local shops are offering curbside pickup - this is just one more way we can Choose Local!
Stay Hydrated: Did you know Newmarket is home to three micro-breweries and even a few pubs with in-house brewing? I stopped by a couple local breweries and picked up some old favourite beers and some new seasonal ones to try. Sticking to local beers helps the businesses in your area and also allows you to try new flavours and styles of beer. Some of our local favourites also provide home delivery so be sure to see if this is an option. If you’d like a non-alcoholic version there are some local juices and kombucha that you can try and is just as yummy. If you are choosing an alcoholic, please be sure to enjoy responsibly.
Grab some grub: It wouldn’t be a patio without some of our favourite finger foods. I stopped by some of my houses’ tried and true local Newmarket restaurants to pick up some savoury pub foods. A perk of a DIY Patio is that you can pick up a little bit of everything from anywhere you want and can compliment your spread with some fresh fruit, crackers and dip or whatever else you’d like. There are lots of options on and off Main Street. Try a new spot each time.
That’s it! Four easy steps and you have your very own backyard/front-step DIY-Patio and you’ve supported some local businesses while doing it. If you’re not sure what businesses to try out, our Choose Local Directory has lots of options to help you reconnect with a favourite or find a new place to try.
We’d love to see your own DIY Patios. Let us know what you included in the comments below. Remember to take a picture, share on your social media channels and tag the local businesses that you purchased from.
