Home LivingGarden10 tips for hosting a stylish summer garden partyFeeling ready to party? These tips will get you startedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Home LivingGarden10 tips for hosting a stylish summer garden partyFeeling ready to party? These tips will get you startedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Feeling ready to party? These tips will get you started

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Argos)

Black coloured rattan garden dining set with 6 chairs and glass table. Dining set is in sunny garden and the table has wine glasses and bread on it

(Image credit: Argos)

Summer is the perfect season to host a good old-fashion garden party for your friends and family. Flowing drinks, good food, warm rays of sunshine and lots of fun - what could be better?

Depending on how many people are coming, it’s important to start planning your party well in advance. There’s nothing worse than feeling unprepared for your guests, and you certainly don’t want them to notice as well. Well, if you’re looking for a bit of a refresher when it comes to hosting, you’ve come to the right place. Take a look at our top tips, then get ready to crank up the summer playlist and make some memories.

Oh before we begin, take a look at T3’s ultimateguide to maintaining and entertaining in your gardenthis summer. It is Garden Tech Month after all!

1. Prep your space

The first thing you need to do is make sure your outdoor space is ready and prepared for having guests over. Whether that’s clearing your patio of junk or mowing your lawn (read our6 tips on making your lawn look spectacular), it will give a good impression and set you up for the rest of the party.

Top tip: make sure your clear enough space for people to sit as well as stand. Lots of chairs is ideal and it gives your guests the option!

2. Get decorating

Decorating is also going to make your space look wonderfully inviting. You don’t have to go over the top, but making sure your dining area has some nice table decorations, such as flowers or coloured napkins, makes all the difference

Top tip: go for a few citronella candles on the table to protect your guests from flying pests! They smell great and will keep the ambience going well into the evening.

Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox

Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts

3. Opt for a pizza oven

If you’re looking for something a bit different, why don’t you try out a pizza oven? All you’d have to do is produce some pizza bases and topping options, and the rest is easy! Check out our2023 guide to the best pizza ovensfor a few suggestions.

Top tip: you can actually make a lot more in a pizza oven than just pizza, some options being meats or padron peppers. Read about9 surprising foods you can cook in a pizza ovenfor more ideas!

4. Perfect your playlist

Having a good playlist is the key to setting the right mood for your party. Get a bluetooth speaker that’s loud enough and place it somewhere high so everyone can hear it. Our2023 guide on the best speakershas some great options to choose from if you’re interested.

Top tip: make a playlist that has a range of different genres and artist so there’s something in there for everyone. Maybe avoid the sad love songs though!

5. Go for easy food options

The last thing you want to be doing when hosting is serving up a 3 course meal, especially if it’s been a warm day. Go for options such as salads and pasta dishes that your guests can easily help themselves. They’re light dishes that everyone will love, and it saves you the hassle!

Top tip: prep as much as you can before your guests arrive. It’ll free up your time, leaving you to mingle and catch up with friends.

6. Keep the drinks flowing

Another way to free up your time is to prepare the drinks before the guests arrive as well! Fill up a big bucket with ice and pop in some cans, or make sure there is access to a fridge.

Top tip: make a big punch or jug of Pimm’s. It will keep your guests happy and you won’t have to constantly make drinks for everyone.

7. Have a fire pit

If you’re hosting in the evening, a fire pit is a great way to bring guests into one space and keep them warm as the sun goes down. Check out ourtop garden DIY projectsif you’re interested in building one yourself!

Top tip: Be careful to place it on a flat, hard surface such as gravel or a patio - grass is not recommended for obvious reasons!

8. Prepare for all weathers

You know what British weather is like - completely unpredictable. The sun may be shining down on us once second, with the heavens opening up the next. Make sure you clear a space in your home, such as the kitchen or living room, if you need to make a quick escape from the rain.

Top tip: you can even put a fewumbrellasin the corner and use those if it starts raining. You’ll have to be brave though!

9. Light it up

It’s always best to actually see your guests, so make sure you have enough lighting if you’re hosting in the dark! These can be fairy lights in your trees and hedges, or candles on the table!

Top tip: If you’re hosting in the day and evening, purchase some solar panel lights that will soak up energy whilst the sun is out, leaving you with sample lighting when it goes away.

10. And relax!

Once you’ve had a go at all of the above, sit back and relax. This is your party and you should enjoy all of the hard work you’ve put in!

Vollebak launches Shielding Suit and Double Graphene Puffer

Vollebak pushes the limits of outerwear with Double Graphene Puffer and Shielding SuitThe company continues to weave innovation into every thread

The company continues to weave innovation into every thread

Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review

Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review: sensational sound, ordinary ANCBowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?

Bowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?

A lifestyle image of several indoor potted plants

Gardening expert gives 5 tips on how to look after your plants while on holiday5 tips on ensuring your plants get watered while you’re travelling, according to gardening experts

5 tips on ensuring your plants get watered while you’re travelling, according to gardening experts

Mammotion YUKA 1500 and LUBA 2 AWD

Mammotion YUKA 1500 3D Vision Robot Lawn Sweeping Mower review: a top-performing robot replete with autonomous grass catcherThe future of robotic lawn maintenance starts right here

The future of robotic lawn maintenance starts right here

tomatoes

Gardening jobs for July: 10 tasks that’ll keep your garden thriving under the sunHere’s a gardening to-do list that will keep your outside space looking great during higher temperatures

Here’s a gardening to-do list that will keep your outside space looking great during higher temperatures

Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD hero

Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD robot lawn mower review: the future of autonomous lawn maintenanceThe Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD is a sensational wireless lawn bot that’s a cut above the rest

The Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD is a sensational wireless lawn bot that’s a cut above the rest

summer gardening

Gardening jobs for June: 10 tasks to complete at the start of summerWanting your garden to thrive this summer? Here’s a gardening to-do list that will help get your garden in full swing

Wanting your garden to thrive this summer? Here’s a gardening to-do list that will help get your garden in full swing

Mammotion LUBA 2 AWD on UK lawn

6 mistakes everyone makes with robot lawn mowersHow to make sure your robot mower behaves as it should

How to make sure your robot mower behaves as it should

Worx Landroid Vision M600 lifestyle

Worx Landroid Vision M600 review: a cracking wireless plug-and-play robotic lawn mower for technophobesThe Worx Landroid Vision M600 is a cut above the rest when it comes to simplicity and lawn navigation

The Worx Landroid Vision M600 is a cut above the rest when it comes to simplicity and lawn navigation

Revolve Pizza Oven

The Revolve Pizza Oven is perfectly portable, and will cook pizza in secondsHoping to impress your friends and family this summer? Look no further…

Hoping to impress your friends and family this summer? Look no further…