Today I noticed a beautiful patch of fully blossomed daffodils on my morning walk to work, and this can only mean one thing, summer is almost here. With the evenings staying lighter, days getting longer and the weather slowly becoming warmer it’s almost time to get out your sunglasses and enjoy the gorgeous weather.
The atmosphere instantly becomes more positive, everybody has a spring in their step and there’s so much more colour. I just love summer, there’s no better feeling than inviting loads of friends around for a get-together with Pimms, BBQ food and lots of giggles. One of the most exciting parts of summer is the parties, those lovely social catch-ups that you can jot down in your diary. Although they are weather permitting, there are so many fun and exciting ways in which you can throw a great garden party for friends and family.
Decide what kind of theme you want to display for your garden party, you could go for a fun character-themed décor or you could stick to a simple colour scheme such as creams, pinks, blues or greens. Whichever colour you decide to go for, you can use it with your choice in the tablecloth, napkins, place names etc. Take a look at the furnishings you have, and think about how you can dress them to make them look fun and exciting.
Tablecloths are a perfect starting point, not only do they look great, but they also prevent you from getting unwanted stains on your oak garden table! Dressing the table to suit your theme is also a great idea. Think about how you want to have your party, some like a sit-down meal whereas others may like to have a more laid-back approach, for example, a BBQ food buffet, placing chairs around the garden for people to mingle and walk around as they, please.
Food plays a major role in any party, there are so many different cuisines you can go for. The most traditional food for a garden party, without a doubt, is BBQ food. You could, however, prepare a tapas spread or even a buffet from around the world which would be a great way to cater for every guest’s likes.
Drinks are another key element, and also very important especially if it’s a warm summer’s day. A range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages is the best way to go, Pimms and Sangria are great summertime drink choices.
For the non-alcoholic drinks, a range of fizzy and still drinks will go down a treat, you could even make some ‘mocktails’ to add a little extra to the table. Remember to make sure you have plenty of water and ice; these are essentials for any summer day regardless of whether you’re partying or not!
Naturally, since you’re throwing a garden party you’ll want your garden to be suitable for hosting however many guests you intend to invite. In order to ensure this is possible, you’ll want to have a bit of a tidy up to ensure your garden is looking it’s best for when everyone arrives. This might include pruning shrubs, flowers or trees. You might want to take things a step further and use a roundup weed killer to get rid of any stray weeds and massively improve the appearance of your garden. Giving the lawn a good mow a few days beforehand can let the ground dry out a little so that your guests can stand, sit down or lay around on the grass without worry of getting dirty.
A great way to turn your garden into a vibrant oasis for your party guests to enjoy is to decorate. Decorating the surroundings can really help create the right atmosphere and vibe for your party, you don’t have to go over the top, just add a few little decorative pieces to make your garden look that little bit more special. Simple features such as draping some fairy lights across your fencing panels or even a smaller tree will create a gorgeous ambience and add a little magic to your garden.
You could also consider some small candle pots, you can get some gorgeous hanging lanterns that you can either hang from a branch or simply place on the table or patio, again creating a lovely atmosphere and providing you with some additional lighting when the sun starts to set. Adding a couple of blankets or throws to the seating arrangement will also go down a treat, as once the evening sets in there can sometimes be a slight summer breeze which may cause a few goosebumps!
You may want to look into some entertainment ideas like a male revue show, magician, comedian, live music etc.
