Celebrate the summer with good food, good music and most importantly, good friends. Garden parties are great ways to make the most of the warmer months, and hosting one can be just as much fun as attending one. It’s the perfect excuse to buy your favourite food, stick on your favourite tunes and enjoy the sunshine. Here are some of our favourite tips for hosting the ultimate garden party.
If you can, seat guests around a circular table. This makes it easier for people to socialise and join in conversations much better than along a rectangular table. Make sure you have some lovely soft cushions to sit on, and try and add extra seating away from the table for relaxing after dinner. We love the idea of oversized floor cushions and comfy bean bags dotted around the garden.
When it comes to tableware, you can get creative and play around with the ideas and styles that you love. Anything colourful and bright looks great in the sunshine, and adds a summery touch to the table. Lay out your food in serving platters for people to help themselves, and fill bowls and plates with nibbles for guests to eat as they arrive. Glass bottles and mason jars give off a vintage vibe, and your napkins and tablecloth can tie the whole thing together.
We think this is definitely where you’ll have the most fun! The options are endless, and the only restrictions are your imagination. Fairy lights strung from trees, bushes and your home create a magical, soft lighting as the evening draws in. You can complement this with bunting and paper lanterns, finished with candles dotted around your garden (try citronella candlesticks for your lawn, as these will help keep pesky biting insects at bay).
Before the food arrives, outdoor games are a great way to get people interacting and having fun. Avoid games with too many flying objects, especially if there are drinks nearby. Think giant jenga, bowling and outdoor twister for some garden party entertainment.
Gathering around a firepit is a great way to wind down the evening, with good company and a drink or two. Chimineas are the best option for those who aren’t comfortable with having a large open flame around, you’d be surprised how much heat even the smallest ones release! You could also have a box of blankets handy to take the chill off those particularly cool evenings.
Now your garden party is ready to go! Invite over your friends, lay out the food, and start the music! If you want any more quick and easy tips to make your garden party even better, check out our guides on keeping cool in your garden and how to add flavour to any BBQ.
