How to Throw a Garden Party

A garden party is a fun way to spend time with friends and family, with food, drink and merriment served outdoors. To create a magical ambiance, use scented candles (Febreze have an excellent range) throughout your garden to set the scene. Position them in your flowerbeds and around impressive plants, as well as in cosy seating areas.

For a more laid back feel, scatter cushions and blankets over outdoor furniture for guests to lounge on. This makes a great option for adults and children alike as it gives the impression of a relaxed picnic. It’s also a good idea to include one of the best fire pits or patio heaters in your garden to help keep guests warm as the sun goes down.

Instead of a dining table, try serving your guests buffet-style on rugs and pillows, so everyone can relax in comfort. Set out a selection of foods, including salads and finger snacks, and let your guests serve themselves. This will help to prevent food wastage, while giving guests the freedom to eat what they want and move around as they please.

To make your garden party table more festive, display a pretty floral centerpiece in a shallow dish. You could even go for an informal arrangement by breaking down a large bouquet into mini posies that you can stand at each place setting. Using in-season blooms will save you money, and reusing old glass jam jars as vases is an inexpensive way to add a pop of colour to your table settings. Another easy table decoration idea is to hand-tie ribbon on each plate in a matching color theme to co-ordinate with your party theme. Give vintage cutlery a new lease of life by spray-painting the handles, then tying them with lengths of colored bakers twine finished with bows.

You can also dress up your garden-themed buffet by adding decorative details like botanical etched glasses, flower-shaped stationery and small gardening tools. Alternatively, you can keep things simple and use paper pom poms to instantly brighten up the space. Choose patterned paper for a more vibrant look or stick to a monochromatic palette for a chic feel.

If you’re unsure how to decorate your outdoor space for your garden party, try hanging paper bunting from trees and beams, washing lines and window frames. This will instantly transform the space and is a fuss-free way to bring your party theme together. You can even get creative with the colors of your pom poms – mix and match for a colorful look or go monochromatic for a sophisticated vibe.

As the evening draws in, it’s important to have plans in place for your party to end on a high note and exactly when you want it to finish. Create a playlist ahead of time that you can play through the night, or opt for soft acoustic music to allow guests to chat freely. As the party comes to a close, you can hand out thank you gifts to your guests, such as a box of seeds, a potted plant or even some gardening tools, that they can take home and enjoy in their own gardens.