Are you ready to celebrate the summer? It’s my favorite time of the year to entertain at home. There’s no better place than your very own garden. Whether you decide to host an elegant garden soiree or a more casual affair with friends and family, an outdoor gathering is a fun way to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Already thinking of themes for your next garden fete? Want some inspiration for entertainment to compliment your summer celebration? Here’s several fabulous garden party ideas from themes, to decorations, to food, for an entertaining outdoor party.
Garden Party Theme Decoration Ideas
What is a garden party? It is simply a party hosted outdoors, typically in one’s one backyard or garden as the English refer to it. Here I share 5 fun garden party themes as well as ideas for decorations and food.
Sip and See Garden Party Theme
Trending across the USA, a ‘sip and see’ party is typically thrown to showcase a new entry in your life. Whether it’s a new house, a new car, a newlywed couple or a new born baby, a ‘sip and see’ party in the garden will make you the most popular host on the block, especially if you set up a tea bar with a fine selection of teas and pastries.
For those who prefer throwing a post-baby shower, you can get very creative with ‘sip and see’ parties – since the baby is already born, you’re not limited to pink or blue themes only.
Last summer my friend held an art exhibition and set up her art display in her winter garden, where she served hors d’oeuvres. So if you’re a fashion designer or artist, your garden viewing party will allow you to display your jewellery or haute couture. Make it a black-tie soiree with fancy cocktails and canapés.
Fairy Lights Garden Party Theme
This fairy garden soiree is popular among mothers and their little daughters who like dressing up in sun hats and maxi dresses. Decorate the trees with fairy lights, lay out fairy wands and fairy dust or glitter on a fairy door, and hang pastel lanterns from the trees or tie them to your fence. For entertainment, set up a nice cherry blossom backdrop in your summer home for a photo shoot with your guests.
Serve finger foods like berry wands – a combination of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries on toothpicks. For beverages and desserts, try out strawberry daiquiris and white chocolate raspberry cheesecake.
Workshops and Cake Pops Garden Party Theme
Throw an arts and crafts garden party. Teach your friends how to make cake pops or invite a sushi chef for a quick sushi recipes making lesson for a Japanese themed party. I once sent out invitations with dried flower petals for guests to bring along for a candle making session. Other activities might include basket making and glass painting.
Smell and Tell Garden Party Theme
Test your guests’ sensory skills and throw a guessing game garden party. Blindfold your guests and have them guess the herbs, flowers or various items. Spearmint, tarragon, roses and daisies are good examples to keep your guests in a tease. This party can evolve into a ‘fill a tote’ party where you lay out specialty items (organic foods, mini plants or flowers from the guessing game) your friends can take home as party favours.
Late Night Bites and Summer Nights Garden Party Theme
The classic barbeque never goes out of fashion when it comes to garden parties. You can incorporate a game night feel and bring out the chess boards, cards and scrabble. Or play more energetic games like hopscotch, freeze-tag, juggling or even hold a hula hoop contest.
Kick off the party during the day with a cookie bar and lemonade dispensers whilst chilling your beers, wine coolers and iced teas in buckets of ice through the evening. Fire up the grill for a bold bbq serving fish steaks, chicken and vegetable skewers, and get creative by serving rainbow fruit kabobs, international salads and cheese platters.
As the summer breeze kicks in for the night, turn your party into an outdoor movie night by laying out blankets, lawn chairs and pillows. Set up a tent and a blazing fire pit to roast s’mores for a night of storytelling and a fun game of charades.
What are your favorite garden party ideas or themes?
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Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
All great ideas! I almost never have outdoor parties because we have so many bugs around here, but I would love to attend one….in someone else’s yard without bugs.
Karli says
I love this idea! We’re having a yard party inspired by all things “southern” in May and I can’t wait. We’re using your idea of games and bbq so guests of all ages will have a good time.
Catherine Holt says
Oh I love these ideas. I love entertaining outside too! I especially like the sip and see and smell and tell party ideas. Something a little different that everyone would enjoy 🙂