How To Plan The Perfect Summer Garden Party -

The coronavirus pandemic has temporarily paused all mass gatherings, separating us from our friends and family. But as restrictions start to lift, now is a great time to start planning the perfect reunion.

Hosting the party outside is a great way of reducing the risk of infection, and you will be able to invite more guests too. To help you get started with your party, we’ve listed some of the key elements to consider and plan.

Budgeting

One of the first things to do when planning a party is to confirm your budget. You will need to consider the cost of the decorations, food and drink. If funds are tight, why not ask your guests to each bring a dish and a drink?

Unpredictable weather planning

It’s important to regularly check the weather forecast when planning an outdoor party. A bright, sunny and but breezy day is perfect. But to prepare for any rain, a shade sail or a canopy will provide great cover for you and your guests. You can then place your table and food under the sail shade, as it will be protected from any rain or direct sunlight.

Garden cleaning

Back gardens often go unnoticed in our daily routine. We often focus on indoor cleanliness rather than our outdoor space. You should clean your garden one day before the party, removing any unwanted weeds, leaves and tidy away any play equipment you can. If you do not have time and have a larger budget for the party, then why not hire a cleaning expert? And find a disinfectant spray to do a deep cleaning to your garden before the big day.

Suitable decorations

The decorations you choose will depend on your taste, budget and theme. If you are planning a simpler get together, then small bouquets of flowers on the table and seasonal flower pots will be a great choice. You should opt for natural flowers instead of synthetic ones to spread the freshness and pure fragrances in the air. Bunting is another popular choice and is a quick way to add some fun to your outdoor space.

Themes

You should choose a theme for your party which suits your celebration. Don’t forget to coordinate your tablecloth, napkins, decorations and seat cushions for that professional touch.

Check and follow the latest guidelines

The comfort of your friends and family should be your first priority on the day. Becoming a host during a pandemic situation is a big responsibility, so ensure that everyone feels comfortable attending. We recommend that you check the latest guidelines the day of the event and ask that every guest follows them.

Make sure to place hand sanitiser near the entrance of the garden and provide masks to those who wish to wear one. Instead of using your dinner set, you could use disposable plates and cutlery sets. Place chairs and benches spread out in your garden too, so everyone can follow social distancing rules. Such hygiene measures will help everyone to stay safe while having a good time.

Broad food selection

As a starter why not serve fresh fruit drinks or homemade lemonade? The food selection should be broad and cater to anyone with allergies or intolerances. One of the most popular choices is a barbeque. You could then ask your guests to bring a meat of their choice and grill the food outside. To balance the sizzling, smoked meats, serve fresh and light food options such as salads and dips.

Entertainment

After all the preparation for the party comes the entertainment. No one wants their guests to get bored, so you should make sure that there is some background music playing throughout the day. The genre can be changed from jazz, pop hard rock to soul music to maintain the momentum of the party.

As social distancing is a prerequisite during a gathering, ensure that the activities you have planned allow your guests to follow the guidelines. Perhaps you could use a projector and screen to enjoy a film outside? Or get the children up and moving with a mini sports day! You can award prizes for the different events, and it’s a great way of getting them to exercise outdoors safely.

Wrapping up the party

Once the fun has ended and everyone has gone home starts your next task! You could make a checklist of any items which have been borrowed or rented and will need to be cleaned and returned.

Then clear away any mess away and disinfect the seats, table and doorknobs with disinfectant sprays. This will help to protect your family at home. Any used disposal plates, cups and cutlery can then be recycled.

Hopefully we have helped you plan the perfect garden party for your family and friends. Remember to follow the restrictions and the day will be a success.