There's not been much of a summer this year, but we seem to get a few fleeting glimpses of nice weather. So if the forecast says it will be nice and, keeping in mind the days are getting shorter fast (depressing stuff!), why not plan an outdoor party. Here's our tips for the perfect garden bash:
Home and Garden on Female First
- Get the lighting right. The great thing about holding a party outdoors is that everything will be fairly well lit, but when it gets dark, it can be difficult to light the garden without an electrical source. The obvious solution then is candles, which you can protect from the wind by placing them in jam jars. You could also get a set of battery powered fairy lights, and tie them round trees and bushes.
- Decorate with flowers. If your party is in your garden, it's pretty likely that there'll be some flowers and plants around. If you can, move potted plants to the party area, and fill vases and bowls with flowers to maximise on the outdoor theme.
- Provide some shade. It's probably unlikely you'll need to bother, but if it happens to be properly hot and sunny, you don't want party guests to be too hot. Put up some big umbrellas, it'll help make your party feel like a beer garden.
- Pick the perfect colour scheme. Pastels colours work really well in the outdoors, especially if they match flowers you have, so pick up some lilac coloured cushions and chairs. Tartan tablecloths can create a rustic feel, too.
- Put up some bunting. No outdoor bash would be complete without the staple of street parties: bunting. Drape some around your gate or entrance to your garden to welcome people to your party.
- Serve food on paper plates. It's just true that things are more likely to get broken outside, so avoid any breakages by providing disposable plates and cutlery. Prevent any flies or leaves getting into drink by cutting a tiny hole in an unpturned muffin case, and sliding it onto the straw. Weigh down napkins or tablecloths with rocks.
- Serve bottled drinks in ice buckets. To save people going in and out of your house to get drinks from the fridge, serve beers and soda drinks in buckets of ice to help keep them cool.
- Make 'outdoorsy' refreshments. Pimms is the perfect outdoor alcoholic beverage, so mix up some punch, and a non-alcoholic version for those who aren't drinking. Bake some cupcakes using some edible flowers (you buy these easily online or from any baking shop). They'll make your food look really cute, and everyone will be asking about them!
One further tip: if your outdoor party is taking place next to a pool, make sure your cordon this off to prevent people falling in. Children are likely to trip into it and, after a couple of drinks, some adults might as well!
Emily Bancroft
Tagged in Garden