✿Garden party tips✿
✿Top tips for the perfect garden party
Summer is a great time for a garden party, no matter what the occasion. No having to worry about red wine on the carpet or chocolate cake on the cream sofa. Why not plan an outdoor party and take advantage of the fresh air and, hopefully, good weather.
✿Planning the perfect outdoor party does not have to be difficult or expensive. As with most things, it just takes proper planning.
✿Whatever the size of your garden, or the amount you have to spend, creating a comfortable space for your guests can be achieved.
✿Tables and chairs✿
✿Tables, table covers, chairs and more can be found online, both second hand and new, at reduced prices.
✿Shop the end of season clearance sales for plastic serving trays, glassware and plastic plates.
Borrow chairs from friends or throw some big cushions and blankets on the ground for people to sit on.
✿If you have a local farmer willing to loan or sell to you, get some hay bales. These are great for sitting on but if you place a plank of wood between two bales you have an instant table.
✿A painting table covered in a white sheet works fabulously as a table for setting out food and drink. Just make sure you put the heavy items at each end of the table so it doesn’t collapse in the middle.
✿Lighting✿
✿Lighting is important if your party is going to run into the evening. The last thing you want is someone tripping over in the dark and landing in the fish pond!
✿Soft accent lighting around the borders and pathways will add visual interest and help set an ambient mood.
✿Large citronella candles will provide light and help to keep away the bugs. Hanging lanterns and glass tabletop lanterns look pretty and provide additional atmospheric lighting.
✿For cooler summer evenings a fire pit is the perfect way to warm up and provide a place for guests to gather.
✿Decoration✿
✿Garden parties do not require a lot of decorations as the garden setting should speak for itself and the color from the garden itself should be all the decoration you need, but if your garden is not looking its best, consider an emergency planting scheme. Adding a few special touches here and there is also a nice idea.
✿Go to your local garden center and pick up a few plants that are coming to the end of their season for a fraction of their normal price.
✿Borrow a few planters from a willing friend or neighbor. A friend of mine once lent me a beautiful lemon tree which acted as a focal point for a garden party I had one year.
✿If color from plants is lacking, create some by using brightly colored table coverings, cushions and accessories to give the garden a lift.
✿Hang a few paper lanterns or light strands to the trees. They are available in many colors to suit any theme. Ribbons of various lengths can also be hung from tree branches to create an enchanting forest feel.
✿Put some twinkling outside lights around the back of the house for a fairytale effect.
✿Use old jars as vases and fill with posies of fresh flowers.
✿Be creative with items from your shed. A wheelbarrow could be filled with ice and used to store bottles of drink. Old terracotta flower pots can be washed out, draped inside with a napkin and used to hold cutlery.
✿A children’s paddling pool can have a blanket thrown over it and then filled with cushions for a low level seating and fun seating area for any youngsters.
✿You could always add a fun element by buying a new watering can and filling it with a punch or Pimms and lemonade. Topping up drinks from the watering can is bound to make people laugh.
✿Hang coat hangers from the prongs of a garden fork propped upside down for people to place their coats.
✿Music✿
✿If you have an electrical point outside then plug in your music system and play the music of your choice. However if one of your guests plays the guitar and is happy to make a star appearance, there is nothing better than a good old sing song to live music.
✿Be prepared✿
✿The evenings can sometimes turn cold very suddenly. Have a box somewhere handy with a selection of throws and blankets, or jumpers and cardigans that you are happy to loan out for the evening.
✿If possible get a gazebo in case of rain. Make sure tables have parasols and have a supply of umbrellas to hand. These will also provide shade on a sunny day.
✿Have a back up plan if the weather turns really bad. Your guests won’t be happy if they get drenched and have no where dry to head to. Younger guests usually love it if there is a tent set up in the garden which they can head to if it rains.
✿Have a couple of dustbins handy so that cans and bottles can be thrown into one for recycling and any rubbish can immediately be thrown into the other. This is especially useful for barbecues when chicken and rib bones are left over and if you are using paper plates and napkins.
✿Food and Drink✿
✿So many people think that if they are having a party in their garden then a barbecue is the only way to go. Think again. How about these ideas:
✿Cheese and wine – you could invite guest to bring one of their favourite cheeses
Afternoon Tea – do a selection of sandwiches (see sandwich filling article for variety of fillings). Make some simple cup cakes.
Brunch – late morning serve up bagels with a variety of fillings. Serve up a dish of pancakes and have bowls of fruit and honey to add to them.
Sunday Roast – cook some joints of meat, roast a tin of potatoes and make a jug of gravy. Carve up the meat and put on a platter for people to put in bread rolls. So simple.
Toilets
✿Finally, make sure guests know where the toilets are in the house. Make up some simple signs with arrows pointing in the right directions. You can easily do this by painting on a piece of wood or printing off some paper signs and hanging from door handles.
✿Ensure there is plenty of toilet roll, hand wash and clean towels for guests to use.
✿By following these tips, you should create a garden party to remember for all the right reasons.
✿Top tips for the perfect garden party
Summer is a great time for a garden party, no matter what the occasion. No having to worry about red wine on the carpet or chocolate cake on the cream sofa. Why not plan an outdoor party and take advantage of the fresh air and, hopefully, good weather.
✿Planning the perfect outdoor party does not have to be difficult or expensive. As with most things, it just takes proper planning.
✿Whatever the size of your garden, or the amount you have to spend, creating a comfortable space for your guests can be achieved.
✿Tables and chairs✿
✿Tables, table covers, chairs and more can be found online, both second hand and new, at reduced prices.
✿Shop the end of season clearance sales for plastic serving trays, glassware and plastic plates.
Borrow chairs from friends or throw some big cushions and blankets on the ground for people to sit on.
✿If you have a local farmer willing to loan or sell to you, get some hay bales. These are great for sitting on but if you place a plank of wood between two bales you have an instant table.
✿A painting table covered in a white sheet works fabulously as a table for setting out food and drink. Just make sure you put the heavy items at each end of the table so it doesn’t collapse in the middle.
✿Lighting✿
✿Lighting is important if your party is going to run into the evening. The last thing you want is someone tripping over in the dark and landing in the fish pond!
✿Soft accent lighting around the borders and pathways will add visual interest and help set an ambient mood.
✿Large citronella candles will provide light and help to keep away the bugs. Hanging lanterns and glass tabletop lanterns look pretty and provide additional atmospheric lighting.
✿For cooler summer evenings a fire pit is the perfect way to warm up and provide a place for guests to gather.
✿Decoration✿
✿Garden parties do not require a lot of decorations as the garden setting should speak for itself and the color from the garden itself should be all the decoration you need, but if your garden is not looking its best, consider an emergency planting scheme. Adding a few special touches here and there is also a nice idea.
✿Go to your local garden center and pick up a few plants that are coming to the end of their season for a fraction of their normal price.
✿Borrow a few planters from a willing friend or neighbor. A friend of mine once lent me a beautiful lemon tree which acted as a focal point for a garden party I had one year.
✿If color from plants is lacking, create some by using brightly colored table coverings, cushions and accessories to give the garden a lift.
✿Hang a few paper lanterns or light strands to the trees. They are available in many colors to suit any theme. Ribbons of various lengths can also be hung from tree branches to create an enchanting forest feel.
✿Put some twinkling outside lights around the back of the house for a fairytale effect.
✿Use old jars as vases and fill with posies of fresh flowers.
✿Be creative with items from your shed. A wheelbarrow could be filled with ice and used to store bottles of drink. Old terracotta flower pots can be washed out, draped inside with a napkin and used to hold cutlery.
✿A children’s paddling pool can have a blanket thrown over it and then filled with cushions for a low level seating and fun seating area for any youngsters.
✿You could always add a fun element by buying a new watering can and filling it with a punch or Pimms and lemonade. Topping up drinks from the watering can is bound to make people laugh.
✿Hang coat hangers from the prongs of a garden fork propped upside down for people to place their coats.
✿Music✿
✿If you have an electrical point outside then plug in your music system and play the music of your choice. However if one of your guests plays the guitar and is happy to make a star appearance, there is nothing better than a good old sing song to live music.
✿Be prepared✿
✿The evenings can sometimes turn cold very suddenly. Have a box somewhere handy with a selection of throws and blankets, or jumpers and cardigans that you are happy to loan out for the evening.
✿If possible get a gazebo in case of rain. Make sure tables have parasols and have a supply of umbrellas to hand. These will also provide shade on a sunny day.
✿Have a back up plan if the weather turns really bad. Your guests won’t be happy if they get drenched and have no where dry to head to. Younger guests usually love it if there is a tent set up in the garden which they can head to if it rains.
✿Have a couple of dustbins handy so that cans and bottles can be thrown into one for recycling and any rubbish can immediately be thrown into the other. This is especially useful for barbecues when chicken and rib bones are left over and if you are using paper plates and napkins.
✿Food and Drink✿
✿So many people think that if they are having a party in their garden then a barbecue is the only way to go. Think again. How about these ideas:
✿Cheese and wine – you could invite guest to bring one of their favourite cheeses
Afternoon Tea – do a selection of sandwiches (see sandwich filling article for variety of fillings). Make some simple cup cakes.
Brunch – late morning serve up bagels with a variety of fillings. Serve up a dish of pancakes and have bowls of fruit and honey to add to them.
Sunday Roast – cook some joints of meat, roast a tin of potatoes and make a jug of gravy. Carve up the meat and put on a platter for people to put in bread rolls. So simple.
Toilets
✿Finally, make sure guests know where the toilets are in the house. Make up some simple signs with arrows pointing in the right directions. You can easily do this by painting on a piece of wood or printing off some paper signs and hanging from door handles.
✿Ensure there is plenty of toilet roll, hand wash and clean towels for guests to use.
✿By following these tips, you should create a garden party to remember for all the right reasons.
