Bring some heat to your friends' parties.

Think of all the eating establishments in the Bay Area that extend their dining space outdoors during the not-so-temperate months with the help of propane heat lamps. Or all those Napa Valley wedding receptions that depend on them.

Then think of your beloved deck/balcony/yard and how much more use you could get out of it if you dined alfresco more often...which you could do if you had a tabletop heat lamp.

We nominate Outdoor Leisure's vaguely nautical stainless steel propane heater to the job. It's fashioned after the floor-standing restaurant powerhouses but scaled for year-round home use. It has a weighted base for safety but is still lightweight enough to travel with you.

Available here for $119.97.