A Guide to Throwing the Perfect Summer Party!

From Christmas catch-ups to New Year’s celebrations to impromptu gatherings of family and friends. warm and balmy evenings provide the perfect conditions for throwing a summer party!
 
If you’re planning on hosting one, here are some ideas guaranteed to make it a soiree to remember –

Set up a self-serve drinks trolley and save yourself a lot of time during the event. Being on wheels also means you can easily cart it outside
Make sangria or punch ahead of time. Just keep it in the fridge until the guests arrive, and then periodically top up with ice.
Offer your guests citrus, mint, strawberry or cucumber-infused water to keep them cool.
Keep a few ice buckets on hand to fill with ice and hold your water bottles.
Use jam jars for … everything from cocktail containers to candle holders and vases. It’s much quicker to make a big batch of cocktails in the blender and then pour it into the jars, rather than trying to mix them in each jar.
Say it with cut flowers and foliage from your garden. Display them in mismatched vases or float them in water and mix up the types of plants you feature.
String up some fairy lights to add ambience to any space. Stick to warm light to prevent the lighting from sticking out too much from its surroundings.
Paper lanterns are another a great way to add a colour injection into your party. Choose from purely decorative options, or ones containing small lamps or lightbulbs.
Tailor your music playlist to your guests. Try and estimate the amount of time your guests will stay) and make your playlist long enough.
Make sure there’s plenty of shade to avoid guests getting burnt and overheated. Put out some outdoor umbrellas or pop up a tent.
Having a pool party? As well as making sure it’ clean and leaf-free, chuck in some inflatable pool toys for your guests to lounge on. Nothing says summer party more than an inflatable flamingo!