Australia
Setting Up the Alfresco for Christmas Lunch: Shade, Seating and Food Safety
How to set up an outdoor Christmas lunch in Australian summer: shade, comfortable seating, a table that survives the day, and keeping food safe in the heat.
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Quick answer: For Christmas lunch outdoors, plan for heat first. Set the table in full shade, seat guests on comfortable cushions that can handle spills, keep drinks and food on ice, and follow the 2-hour/4-hour rule for anything perishable. Order cushions, runners and curtains by mid-November so they arrive well before the big day.
An Australian Christmas lunch happens in the middle of summer. The table might be under the pergola, beside the pool or on the back deck, and the meal often stretches from midday into the late afternoon. That's what makes it special, and it's also why a little planning goes a long way. Here's how to set up the alfresco area so everyone is comfortable, the food stays safe and the clean-up is easy.
Plan for the heat
December days are hot across much of the country. Long-term average December maximums are around 29.6°C in Brisbane and 29.3°C in Perth, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, and many places get much hotter on the day.
UV is the bigger risk. ARPANSA and Cancer Council say UV across most of the country reaches 11 or more on clear summer days, Extreme on the UV Index, and skin can be damaged in as little as 15 minutes at midday (ARPANSA). UV peaks around the middle of the day, right when lunch is served.
- Put the table in full shade, and check where the shade will be at 2pm, not just at noon.
- Add side shade. Outdoor curtains or a shade sail on the western side block low afternoon sun.
- Keep hats and sunscreen by the door for anyone heading out to the pool or the cricket.
- Have water on every end of the table, not just drinks with alcohol.
Our guide to getting outdoor cushions ready for summer covers the rest of the season.
Set up seating people want to stay in
Christmas lunch is long. Hard timber benches and metal chairs get uncomfortable fast, and they get hot in the sun.
- Bench and chair cushions make long sits comfortable. For dining height, a firmer foam about 50–75 mm thick keeps everyone at the right level for the table.
- Choose fabric that copes with spills. Prawns, gravy, beetroot and red wine are all part of the day. Sunbrella's solution-dyed fabric is stain-resistant and cleans with mild soap and water.
- Use quick-drain foam outdoors. If a summer storm rolls through, Dryfast foam lets water drain straight out.
- Add ties so cushions don't slide when guests get up and down.
- Plan a spot for the kids with large floor cushions on the lawn or deck. See our floor cushion guide.
Build seat pads to fit your outdoor setting with our chair cushion builder, or browse all custom outdoor cushions.
Dress the table
- A runner instead of a tablecloth. A cloth catches the wind and soaks up every spill. A runner down the middle anchors the table and is easy to wash. Use our table runners or the size rule in our runner guide: table length plus 150–300 mm.
- Keep centrepieces low so guests can talk across the table.
- Weigh down napkins with cutlery or a sprig of eucalyptus.
- Go for summer colours. Crisp white, eucalyptus green, coral and navy feel fresher in the heat than traditional red and gold.
Keep the food safe in the heat
Food poisoning is more common in summer, and a long outdoor lunch is exactly the situation to watch. Food Standards Australia New Zealand estimates there are 4.67 million cases of food poisoning in Australia each year (Healthdirect).
The key is the temperature "danger zone" of 5–60°C, where bacteria grow fastest. Healthdirect and the Food Safety Information Council recommend the 2-hour/4-hour rule for perishable food that has been out of the fridge:
| Time out of the fridge | What to do |
|---|---|
| Less than 2 hours | Eat it, or put it back in the fridge |
| 2 to 4 hours | Eat it now; don't put it back in the fridge |
| More than 4 hours | Throw it out |
The rule is set out in FSANZ's guidance. A few practical tips:
- Serve in small batches and keep the rest in the fridge or on ice.
- Put drinks in an esky, so the fridge door stays shut and the food inside stays cold.
- Keep seafood and cold meats on ice in the shade.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and eat them within 2–4 days.
The clean-up
- Brush crumbs off cushions before they're trodden in.
- Blot spills straight away. For Sunbrella, clean with mild soap and water from seam to seam, then rinse.
- Stand cushions on their edge to dry if they got wet.
- Unzip and wash covers if needed. Every cover we make has a zip. See removable covers explained.
Order in time for Christmas
Standard-shape cushions take 2–3 weeks to make, and custom shapes made from your template take 5–6 weeks. Allow a few extra days for delivery on top. To be safe, order standard shapes by mid-November, and anything shaped from a template by the end of October. Delivery is free anywhere in Australia, foam is made in Australia, and there's no import duty or GST to pay on arrival. Order swatches early if you're matching colours.
Frequently asked questions
How long can food sit out at an outdoor lunch?
Follow the 2-hour/4-hour rule: under 2 hours, eat it or refrigerate it; 2–4 hours, eat it now; over 4 hours, throw it out.
What cushions are best for outdoor dining?
Firm seat pads about 50–75 mm thick in a stain-resistant outdoor fabric, with quick-drain foam and ties.
When should I order cushions for Christmas?
By mid-November for standard shapes, and by the end of October for custom shapes made from a template.
Should I use a tablecloth or a runner outdoors?
A runner. It doesn't catch the wind like a cloth, and it's easier to wash.
