Invite Them to a Garden Party - Part I

Summertime and garden parties were made for each other. There's always something pleasant to remember about outdoor gatherings. It's easy to move around and talk to people, the food and drink flow, and the kids can play alone yet stay under a watchful eye from afar.

Occasions like special anniversaries and birthdays, graduations and wedding engagements all lend themselves perfectly to festive garden parties.

While you may agree about the fun, hosting one may seem a little daunting. I'm here to convince you otherwise.

The key is planning. A little organization goes a long way. And, yes, you'll need to rent some things. But not to worry: the rental companies do this every day. You can use their planning advice and checklists to your advantage.

Think of a party event coming up. Let's say, for the sake of planning a sample project, that your folks have a wedding anniversary coming up in a few months and you want to do something special.

Come with me as we plan a garden party....

What to do first: Talk to the guests of honor. Tell them that you'd like to host a party and are thinking of an outdoor event. Pick a date that's good for both of you. Ask Mom and Dad to help with the guest list. Start informally circulating the word about what date you have selected.

As soon as possible afterwards: Sit down with a few people, your sister or your brother, your spouse and an aunt or uncle - folks who can who can be relied on for a little help. Talk about logistics. This is the time to decide if you want a formal or informal event, how many people you should invite and what you may need professional help with and what you can do yourselves.

Here are some basic things to consider:

Will anyone be coming from out of town? Put someone in charge of making overnight accommodations.

How long do you expect the party to last? This will help you plan how much food and drink you'll need. Also, will you want to consider arranging for some lighting?

Are you comfortable with making the food yourself? Do you want to cook some dishes and order some others, like salads, from a local market? Is yours a family or group where people expect to pitch in and bring a dish? Is a caterer more your speed? If you elect to make the food yourself, plan a menu where everything is prepared ahead of time. The only exception to this is barbecuing the meat.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic