It's all about being relaxed, enjoying your friends and enjoying good food. In coastal Georgia and the South Carolina Lowcountry, big oversized pieces like hammered copper buckets that hold icy bottles of beer or giant platters that can be piled high with boiled shrimp or Lowcountry boil tend to be popular among people who like to entertain. They like to do it and do it big. One of the biggest trends in Southern entertaining in recent years has been the increased emphasis on outdoor entertaining, even in the heat of the summer. Instead of being limited to a formal dining room table, many hosts and hostesses choose to hold their events outdoors.
People have so little time, they want to relax as often as they can.
The outdoor environment has become just as important as the indoor environment. Because outdoor furniture has become more sophisticated, with a wide range of styles, fabrics, colors and designs, it has become easier to choose patio furniture that reflects the host's lifestyle. An oyster roast on the marsh or a beachside barbecue can be enlivened with stylish, comfortable tables and chairs that encourage guests to relax and stay awhile. Vibrant plastic tableware, adorned with beach themes or bright patterns, tends to be popular for casual summertime gatherings. Fresh flowers can add a splash of color and an air of festivity and abundance to the occasion.