Hosting a Garden Party

Garden parties are a fun way to enjoy the beauty of nature with friends and family.

Invitations:

Make a simple invitation using stencils. Find a stencil that has such things as a watering can, butterflies, flowers, and ladybugs. Put one of these on the front of the card and put the information for the party on the back.

Decorations:

Decorating can be simple with a garden party because the beauty of your yard will do most of the work. Set up tables and chairs in different parts of the yard. Make sure to put up umbrellas over tables that are in a lot of sun. You may want to consider decorating each table slightly differently so that guests will have plenty to look at. You could decorate one table with a terra cotta theme putting large terra cotta plant dishes underneath the plates, and having a potted plant in the center of the table. Another table could have a ladybug theme, another could be decorated with a specific flower or color and so on. You can add some extra beauty to the décor by putting up lights. Make simple flower centerpieces by placing a single flower in a bud vase with colored glass or pebbles in the bottom to hold the flower up. If the party will be during the evening make sure you have citronella candles and other items out that will help keep bugs away.

Activities:
While food and the opportunity to talk with friends are usually the main attraction at a garden party you may want to set up a few activities for your guests. Here are a few ideas:

• Set up outdoor games such as horseshoes, croquet, Frisbee and tennis
• Set up a few smaller tables with games on them such as chess and scrabble.
• Ask guests to bring a potted plant or a packet of seeds. Have an exchange game.

Food:
Garden party food should be light and cool. Serve light sandwiches, fresh vegetables, fruit and cheeses. For desert serve cool pies, sorbet or ice cream. Make sure you have plenty of chilled beverages as well.