1. Some barbecue fanatics spend days marinating their brisket before a barbecue. Who has time to make a potato salad on top of that? Provide the main course, and ask each guest to bring their favorite side dish with them. You’ll get a great variety of dishes, and even your pickier guests will be guaranteed to find one item they will love.

2. Keep your outdoor decor simple and unfussy. Tea light candles provide instant glamour to any evening party, and are extremely versatile design elements. Some varieties float and can be placed in the pool, while others are perfect for luminaria. To make your own, fill simple white or brown paper bags with enough sand to keep them from overturning in the wind and place one tea candle inside. These can be lovely when used to line a deck or walkway. And for those who are concerned about keeping pesky bugs at bay: Look for candles that include citronella oil, an effective ingredient that naturally repels insects.

3. Set up a few outdoor games to keep your guests entertained. Games like “Capture the Flag,” bean bag toss and Frisbee require very little setup, and get guests to interact with people outside of their own group or family. Kits can be ordered online, or built from materials you have around the house.

4. No one likes to rush around looking for matching bowls and lids when it’s time for guests to take leftovers home. Inexpensive wax-lined paper cartons (bought at craft stores) allow guests to transport food home without the hassle of returning your expensive food storage containers afterward — something everyone will appreciate. If you have extra time before the party starts, these containers can also be customized by adding each guest’s name and the date of your party.

5. Stains left by barbecue sauce, grass and dirt are some of the toughest to remove, and they are all, unfortunately, par for the course at outdoor gatherings. Luckily, hosts and hostesses can turn to an expert this summer for stain advice: Clorox’s Summer Stain Hotline (877) STAIN-411, hosted by stain scientist Harold Baker (a.k.a. “Dr. Laundry”), will be available 24/7 throughout the season. Consumers simply dial up the hotline, choose from a selection of the season’s toughest stain dilemmas, and are guided through the proper course of treatment. Or, consumers can submit stain questions to Dr. Laundry directly by visiting his online blog, www.drlaundryblog.com. So once the party’s over, “dial up” the heat against stains, and get to planning your next summer soiree.