How to Throw the Perfect Garden Party for 6
The Coronavirus has taken a toll on all of us! Gatherings have been one of the things we’ve all missed during the lockdown.
However, thanks to the UK government easing the safety rules and restrictions, you can now throw a garden party at home with a maximum of 6 people, provided that you keep the social distancing and personal hygiene measures in place.
So whether it’s a fancy royal-style dinner party, a birthday party for your child, or a small backyard barbecue that you’ve been putting on hold, you can do it now!
The problem is how you can plan such a party to cater to the tastes of your friends and family while still maintaining safety measures. We have the answer, so continue reading while we guide you to the best way to create the perfect garden party during these hard times.
Planning Garden Parties According to the New Normal
From the lighting and theme to the food and song choices, here are all the tips you need to plan a fun-filled garden party while keeping everyone safe.
Safe Etiquette
Before getting to the actual tips and ideas, let’s agree on the fact that this is a party thrown under special circumstances. So you might want to change the etiquette rules to suit the new normal, which is having a 2-meter distance between all guests at all times.
Of course, you might find yourself approaching your guests without even sensing it. But as the host of the event, you need to set an example for your guests, so make sure you’re following the safety rules yourself.
First, try to keep the party strictly to the garden where there is a continuous airflow and instead of handshaking and air-kissing, stay at a safe distance when you open the door and greet your guests by waving hands or elbow bumps.
Also, make sure to keep your mask on unless you’re eating or drinking. If you feel like a regular mask will ruin your outfit, consider customisable masks that coordinate with the pattern of your suit or dress.
This actually has become a fashion trend since Princess Kate Middleton and Queen Matilda of Belgium have shown up with their matchy-matchy face masks in more than one event.
Seating Set-Up
Now to the fun part! Consider the size of your garden and accordingly arrange the tables and chairs with enough space between every two chairs. Guests from the same household can share a table.
You can also provide each table with condiments and appetisers to avoid having many hands in one dish. Oh! And don’t forget to place an alcohol-based hand sanitiser on each table.
The seating set-up should depend on the theme of your garden party. For example, if you’re having a barbecue, add a fire pit in the middle and a few chairs in front and around it.
A friendly get-together, on the other hand, would require putting a food service table in an accessible location but away from the entrance. Also, wooden tables and chairs would make a nice addition. And if possible, add high chairs and booster seats for the kids.
Decorations
When it comes to decorating your garden for an event, there are many ideas you can apply. Flowers and plants are essential no matter what the season. However, the way you arrange them depends on the pattern of your garden and the party theme.
Begin by choosing a colour palette for your seat cushions, tablecloths and napkins. Then, choose the flowers that’d enhance the colour schemes.
If it’s a formal party, set up the tables with a floral centrepiece. For a more friendly vibe, you can add floral hanging baskets and a spring display on either side of the entrance. These will instantly brighten the mood.
Remember that balloons and bunting are a good idea if it’s a birthday or an engagement party but would look out of place in a royal-style event.
Lastly, always keep the weather in mind! Set up a shady area if it’s a summer party but keep in mind how the weather can go crazy in Britain in the time span of two hours. So prepare extra blankets for your friends to keep them warm when a chill blows through the air.
Lighting and Party Effects
Even if you’re hosting your party in the morning, don’t let the sunset cut the fun earlier than expected.
Consider hanging outdoor lanterns and fairy lights on your garden’s trees or pergola if you have one. These will preserve the life and festiveness of your garden party even after the sun goes down. If romantic and cosy night vibes are what you have in mind, you can use colourful tea lights.
Food and Drinks
Oh! the amount of garden party food and drinks you can choose from! From salmon slider, red wine, and bacon-wrapped spam bites to cinnamon roll macarons, ice lollies, and treacle tarts, the ideas are endless. But as always, safety comes first!
Some people suggest bringing your own food to parties to avoid transmitting the virus. Well, we don’t want to be a party pooper. Whichever choice you make, ensure that your guests have access to restrooms so that they can wash their hands before the service starts.
Music and Song Selection
What’s a party without some music to get your loved ones in the mood? The first rule of being a host is knowing how to entertain your audience. Pick a music genre that matches the mood of your party. If you’re not sure about what your guests would like, consider leaving the choice open for your guests to come up and put a song they like.
Let’s Party, But Stay Safe!
We hope that these tips have given you an idea about how to throw a party in your garden or backyard. Just make sure not to extend invitations to more than 6 guests and prioritise safety over etiquette. Enjoy!