There is something very quintessential about having a garden party, especially during those warmer Summer months. You don’t need an excuse to hold one, it could simply be because the sun is shining and you want to celebrate. Perhaps you do have an excuse; it’s your birthday, you’ve moved to a new home or maybe you’re getting married! Whatever the reason, hosting the perfect garden party can be exciting and daunting all at once. Not sure where to get started? Here are a few pointers to help make the most out of your event!

Image via: Style by Belle

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Food and drink

If you’re planning an early evening, or even an all day garden party, then you’re going to need to think about feeding your guests. If the weather is particularly nice then one of the best options is going to be a barbecue. You don’t need to fork out for an expensive BBQ set, as there are plenty of disposable ones available in supermarkets. Simply light them up, cook your food and throw them away when you’re done.

It’s customary for guests to bring food to a BBQ, so you don’t need to worry about buying hundreds of sausages and a whole barrel of potato salad. If you want to organise it so that everyone brings something different then add a note on the invite asking them politely to bring a certain dish. It could be some burgers, a pack of sausages or salad. Just don’t ask them to bring the whole lot!

When it comes to drinks, make sure you have a good selection available for adults and children. Squash and juice for those who would prefer not to drink (or who are too young!) and beer, wine and even some spirits for those who do want to. Pimms is a great Summer drink and always goes down well at a garden party. Make sure you invest in some plastic cups and plates, so that those who have a had a bit too much don’t end up breaking glass and crockery!

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Making the most of the space

You don’t need to have a huge garden to hold an outdoor party, although you need to make sure everyone has space to move! Be prepared for some guests to loiter inside, especially the kitchen, if there’s not enough room outside. You are going to need some seating for guests to make use of, but don’t rush out and buy hundreds of chairs. Some events companies will loan you chairs and tables for the party, which will be cheaper than rushing out to buy a whole new garden set.

If you have a limited budget then make use of all the furniture you can from within the home. As long as the weather is nice, you can bring dining room furniture outside and even camping chairs, stools and tables. Dot them around the garden and let people move them around to form little groups, for a friendly and social atmosphere.

Image via: Stylizmo

Partying through the night

If you’re planning on partying throughout the evening, then make sure you’re prepared for it. As it gets darker people will try to move inside, unless there are some lights to brighten up the garden. You can use solar powered fairy lights, that charge through the day and come on automatically, for that pretty garden party feel. Get creative and place them in bushes, trees and around garden tables so that outside lights up!

You’ll find some really beautiful solar fairy lights that even look like little flowers, which will help add to that garden party atmosphere. Remember, if you are going to carry on through the evening to let the neighbours know, or you may start getting some knocks on the door. In fact, if you invite the neighbours then there will be nobody to complain!

Karen loves to entertain and her legendary garden parties are either loved or hated if you are a neighbour. Although those neighbours wouldn’t beleive it, Karen believes in making as little impact on her surroundings as possible that’s why she sells eco-friendly garden party lighting at  www.worldofsolar.com/solar-fairy-lights.

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The summer is finally here, it’s time to dig out the sunscreen and venture into the garden! We love nothing more than to sit back and relax with friends and family, in the comfort of our own home. The one thing that most of us will use is some kind of garden furniture, it is therefore important to keep this in tip top condition. Maintaining garden furniture is the most cost effective way of ensuring long lasting furniture to use for many years. Below is some advice that will help you with your maintenance.

Image via: Amber Freda Home & Garden

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A little bit of preparation:

One of the most popular forms of garden furniture is wooden tables and chairs. These are also one of the most prone to wearing and getting damaged. The good news is it doesn’t have to be that way. All it takes is a little bit of preparation and your furniture will be protected. One of the best ways to protect your furniture is by giving it a coat of quality wood stain such as the Ronseal one. It would be easy to think that the only use for wood stain is to make the furniture look good, but it has many more benefits than that. It is highly water repellent and UV resistant to prevent colour fade. It also helps to prevent cracking and blistering. It is always good to give your furniture a yearly coat to keep it well protected.

Image via: Lusona Home

Survive the winter:

It goes without saying that the long winter months cause the most damage to garden furniture. This is why it is very important to protect them as much as you can during this time. Garden furniture can be made with many different materials therefore different methods can be used. Furniture that is made from plastic or canvas is always best kept indoors. It is always a good idea to give them a good wash down and store them in the back of a garage or shed.

If you don’t have room another alternative would be to cover them with a thick protective sheet. The downside to this is that the weather may cause them to become brittle over time. Some of the heavier materials such as wood or metal would be a lot more difficult to move. What you should do is clean them and check them for any damage. It is also a good idea to give them a coat of protective paint and repair any damage. You must then cover with a thick protective sheet and secure down with a heavy material such as bricks to prevent wind blowing the sheet away. If you get a dry day in winter it is always a good idea to give them a check over to make sure they are fully covered and no damage is been caused.

Image via: Axis Mundi

It’s more than just furniture:

With any garden furniture it needs its own dedicated areas in the garden to call its own. One of the most popular areas to have furniture is on decking. It is therefore every important to maintain your decking to ensure you garden furniture’s longevity. Decking is easy to maintain as long as you follow a few simple tips and advice. It is good to sweep up any debris and give it a wash down with a hose pipe or pressure washer. You can then add water and bleach to a bucket according to the correct ratio on the back of the bottle. Scrub into the decking, leave for 15 minutes and wash off. Once it is dry it is then a good idea to give it a cost of decking stain such as the Ronseal one, to make it look brand new and also add a vital layer of protection.

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