How to throw the perfect Summer garden party

The good news is, you still have time, but the perfect soiree involves some careful planning. This is why we’ve put together advice for creating a fun celebration.

Clean up

Hosting a garden party is a great excuse to clean up your outdoor space. Perform a quick tidy up of the garden beds by pulling out any unruly weeds and sweep up stray leaves. If your decking/pavement is dirty, hose it off the day before so it’s dry by the time your guests arrive.

Decorating

If you have a smaller outdoor space, use one or two long outdoor tables to make a focal point and, if you have a decking with fencing, hang decorations like these fake vine leaves to distract from the small space. Alternately, make a larger space feel more intimate by placing extra seating around. If you run out of folding chairs and have the time, you can make your own make-shift seats using milk crates and cushions.

Create your menu

Work out what kind of event you want to host as this will dictate what kind of meals you make. If you’re having a sit-down gathering with friends, then a mix of delicious salads and cold meats are the way to go. 

If you’ve got a bigger guest list, then minimise the stress by creating your own mini-food station. Centre the food around this build-your-own buddha bowl recipe and ensure there are plenty of ingredients out and a variety of sauces. This way, people can make their own meal, which is easier when navigating allergies and food preferences.

Drinks

Make sure you have plenty of ice on the day and enough Eskys or tubs for people to put their drinks in. Attach a bottle-opener to the handles so people can easily open beers without having to rifle through the kitchen drawers.

Fill water dispensers with fresh mint, sliced cucumber and fruit, and make sure you have a variety of non-alcoholic drinks on offer. 

General housekeeping

Always make sure the bathroom is stocked with plenty of toilet paper and hand soap, and fresh hand towels. Have insect repellent and sunscreen on hand, and place small bins (or plastic bags) in discreet locations so guests can get rid of rubbish as they go.

Leave some easy and fun board games around for guests to use throughout the day — this can be a great way to start conversations between guests who may not know each other well.

Have a backup plan

We all know the weather can turn at the drop of a hat, so it’s always a good idea to have a contingency plan. Rearrange your living room furniture and tidy up so that everything can be moved inside if need be.