Garden Party Planning
A successful garden party takes into account various aspects ranging from preparation of the party schedule in advance, to deciding the menu and recipes, choosing table topics to the entertainment.Garden parties are best hosted during the day. As it maybe obvious, the beautiful flowers and garden décor would not be as visible in the night as it would be during the day. Having said that, with the vast array of solar lights and electrical lights available an evening garden party can be equally fun and you can showcase you arty design with various lights.
Preparing The Garden
The garden needs to be properly weeded and all flowers must be well-placed and visible. If there is a stretch of grass, ensure it is mowed the day before, if possible a week before the party. Lots of people suffer with hay fever, and a newly mowed lawn can make their life miserable, so have some consideration for all your guest. Unkempt gardens are an eyesore when it comes to garden parties.Decorating The Garden
Spruce up the backyard with some nice silverware, flower centrepieces and beautiful tablecloths. Vintage table pieces and tablecloths are always popular especially during garden parties.Placing fruit bowls along the table is a good idea to add more colour to the surroundings. Fresh flowers or even silk or paper variants can be set up in the garden areas.
Beautiful terracotta utensil pot holders and bright baskets can be placed along the garden. There could be chances of it raining. As a precautionary measure, a special enclosure needs to be earmarked so that guests can go party inside that place.
The Invitations
Invitations can be casual yet creative with garden photographs or clipart downloaded images. The more creative and colourful your invitations are the more guests will be tempted to attend the party. Social Network sites are also a good way to invite your guest.Themes
Garden parties become more special when there is a theme involved. Some of the common themes popular in garden parties are tea parties, graduation parties, bridal showers, spring Easter parties etc.The party can be a simple affair if it is for close friends, family members or more extravagant if it is a banquet with 7 course meals to it. Simple buffets work well too when it comes to garden parties.
Food And Menu
In the case of garden parties, the best choice would be a buffet as that way everyone can help themselves to whatever food items they need. Deciding on the menu in advance and preparing as much as possible beforehand can go a long way in keeping stress levels at bay on the actual day of the party.In case of foods, which need preparation that very day such as fresh juices, fruit bowls etc., these can be made a couple of hours before the party and stored in the refrigerator.
The menu should be light and fresh with the focus being on fruits, vegetables and herbs. If barbecue is very popular amongst the guests invited, steaks and special meats can be served along with some hearty salad.
Games
MUD PIES
You will need: Suitable for any amount of players.
A patch of ground (more secluded the better)
Watering can.
Towels/shower
Possibly a full change of clothes.
Choose a patch of ground and use a trowel or spade to dig it over so the mud is loose. Get a watering can, sprayer or washing up bottle filled with water. Then dig holes, fill them with water and watch the water disappear.
Then shoes off!!! step in the mud and make a mess. The person or person who is brave enough to get covered the most with MUD gets a shot/ or two. If you want to help your friends maybe a few mud pies thrown in their direction might help....
SKITTLES
You will need: Suitable for 2 or more players.
9 empty beer bottles...so get drinking!!!
2 Cricket/Rounder's balls
Pen and paper to keep the scores.
Place 9 skittles are arranged in a square at the end of the that might be approximately 24 feet, or longer. Each player turn starts with all the skittles standing and consists of three balls being rolled down the alley. If all the pins are knocked down, then they are reset. So the maximum score in one turn is 27.
The team that wins best of 3 gets the ULTIMATE prize.
Forfeits for the losers is quite acceptable.
GARDEN QUOITS
Apologies for the picture tried the give example of structure :)
You will need: Suitable for 2 or more players.
6 poles approximately 2 feet in length
6 Frisbees (if you have rope cut and make rope circles instead)
Paper and pen for the scores.
First place your poles in a line (one in front of the other). Leave approximately 12 inches between each pole.
Each pole is given a score.
Pole 1=2points Pole 2=5 points Pole 3=10 points Pole 4 =15 points Pole 5 = 20 points Pole 6 = 25 points.
Here goes this game can be played in teams if there are plenty of people wanting to play. If there are less than 10 individually is best. This game is also very competitive, prizes or forfeits can be allocated to each pole, for instance a luxury prize can be placed at pole 6 for the first person who gets their ring over the pole, or anyone who fails to get pole 3 first time takes an item of clothing off, equally you may if you wish place a shot at each pole....be creative.
Object of the game take it in turn to throw your Frisbee/rope over the first pole. Each player as a go, you cannot move forward unless you clear the pole....or miss a turn, I prefer you to do a forfeit, (your party you decide). When each player have had their turn, move to the next.
Scores are kept after each round.
ROLL THE BALL
You will need: Suitable for 2 or more players.
2 plant pots different sizes
2 golf balls (something which rolls)
A marker - a point to stand or start
Dig 2 holes in the ground and bury the pots leaving a visible hole. Try to put them parallel and well spaced out.
Roll your ball and see if you can get it in the pot...winner gets a prize, depending on the prize hid it in the bottom of the pot. Take turns best of 10 gets the ultimate prize. Simple gets harder after a few vodka's.
garden party