| If you're proud of your lovely garden why keep it to | | | | wandering too close. If it's small enough, you might |
| yourself? Show it off by inviting friends and family to | | | | be able to cover the pond. If not, perhaps you can |
| a garden party. It can be the perfect setting for a | | | | put up a temporary fence or barrier of some kind. |
| relaxed lunch, a children's birthday party, a | | | | |
| sophisticated dinner or a lively celebration. All you | | | | 4) Offer plenty of drinks |
| need is a little imagination and planning. Follow these | | | | In hot weather people can become dehydrated more |
| tips to ensure an enjoyable time for yourself and | | | | easily than they realise, and drinking alcohol doesn't |
| your guests: | | | | help! Offer iced teas and non-alcoholic cocktails along |
| 1) Sit comfortably | | | | with the beer and wine for a refreshing change. |
| Make sure everyone has somewhere to sit. If your | | | | 5) Create some shade |
| garden furniture has spent the winter in the shed or | | | | Sunshine is wonderful – in moderation. On a hot |
| exposed to the elements, give it a good clean. Buy | | | | day, unless your garden is naturally shady create cool |
| or borrow more if you need it. Indoor furniture can | | | | retreats with parasols, awnings or shade sails. Children |
| be brought out onto a patio and cushions can turn a | | | | can tire quickly in the heat so follow energetic |
| low wall into a comfortable seat. For a children's | | | | activities with games that can be played while resting |
| party, spread a blanket on the lawn for a picnic tea. | | | | in the shade. |
| 2) Be kind to the cook | | | | 6) Beware of bugs |
| Don't spend all your time in the kitchen or roasting | | | | Flies, wasps and other insects love party food! Don't |
| over a hot barbecue! Light, simple food is the most | | | | bring food outdoors until people are ready to eat, |
| appropriate on hot summer days. When deciding on | | | | and clear away any leftovers. If you're having a |
| the menu choose dishes that can be served cold or | | | | buffet use mesh covers to protect food. In the |
| those that can be mostly prepared in advance and | | | | evening, light citronella candles or flares to repel gnats |
| cooked quickly just before serving. If you grow your | | | | and mosquitoes. |
| own fruit and vegetablesgive them the starring role. | | | | 7) Don't be a nuisance |
| 3) Do a safety check | | | | While you and your guests are having fun be aware |
| Prevent an accident spoiling the party by inspecting | | | | that all the chatter and music might not be so |
| your garden from a stranger's point of view. You | | | | pleasant for your neighbours and try to keep the |
| know about that wobbly paving slab and the low | | | | volume down, especially at night. To avoid complaints |
| tree branch but they might catch out an unwary | | | | tell them when you're planning a party so they know |
| visitor. If you can't remove or shield a hazard make it | | | | what's going on. Better still, invite them round so |
| more visible and warn people about it. If your party | | | | they can enjoy it, too! |
| will go on after dark make sure that paths and steps | | | | If you love the idea of outdoor entertaining but your |
| are adequately lit. | | | | garden isn't as attractive as you'd like – don't |
| Be especially careful if there are going to be young | | | | despair! A garden makeover by a professional |
| children around and your garden is normally a | | | | landscape gardener needn't cost a fortune. Find one |
| child-free zone. Check that you haven't left any | | | | who will give you a free consultation and a no |
| gardening tools or other potentially dangerous | | | | obligation quotation. You might be surprised at how |
| objects lying about. Lock sheds and other | | | | easily your ordinary plot can be transformed into a |
| outbuildings. If you have a pond you can't take even | | | | stunning party venue! |
| the smallest risk of an unaccompanied toddler | | | | |