Balmy nights make for a perfect party

Glorious sunshine, friends and food; summer offers the ideal opportunity for easy entertaining not least because most things can be pre-prepared and served outside. What better backdrop for a party than blue sky, trees and fresh flowers? If you don’t have a garden or little patio, just take the party to the local park.

Here are a few tips to help you plan for a long balmy afternoon to evening party.

Summer Decorations

A beautifully set table makes a feast for the senses and everything seems to taste better even before it has been eaten! I take my dining table outside as I don’t like to own anything that does not get maximum use, but if yours feels too precious or is impractical for outside use, opt for a trestle table. Cover the table to suit the party – starched cotton is perfect for a crisp clean look, French antique linen for easy elegance or try Rachel Ashwell’s flouncy ruffle-edged linen for a little grandeur. The cheap but equally appealing option is an old sari or a pair of Ikea linen curtains.

● Lay the table with flowers – either in an old jug or little shot glasses set in a row. These will only need one flower head each but the idea of a vase outside is even prettier than inside.

● If you are short of space on the table, get yourself a cake stand – Amazon sell some simple acrylic ones and you can put pretty much all your food on a seven-tiered stand, allowing space for places and glasses around the table itself.

● Old wine bottles as candleholders in a cluster create a wonderful atmosphere, as do glass jars filled with tea lights. Use the bottle decorating tips below or just cover the rim with a row of flowers using garden wire.

● Outdoor lighting draped on trees, fences or trailing along the ground creates a magical glow especially as day turns to night.

● One of the easiest and most effective ways to decorate for a summer day is by simply spreading bunting around the garden or indeed indoors. There are many online companies selling a variety of bunting including florals, flags or just plain white which can then be decorated using silver fabric pens or brighter than bright pinks for a little zing.

● Chairs casually draped in sheer voile look lovely as the summer breeze gives them movement and easy elegance. Not all seating needs to be so formal – lay blankets on the floor but rather than opting for itchy wool, use linen instead or floral bed sheets or throws. Cover with an assortment of pretty cushions, and for sturdy low-level surfaces for resting drinks and food, simply cover some old MDF with paper or fabric.

Refreshing, zingy homemade lemonade

Serving Up Summertime

Wine or water; everything looks better decanted into old glass bottles. You can find beautiful bottles in flea markets or simply save wine bottles and when you are not using them for drink, they make pretty vases. Cover the middle with wrapping paper or use brightly coloured paint and chalk the description onto it. Not only does this look lovely, but also it means you can go for your favourite budget buy supermarket brands and having them looking as tempting as anything from the fanciest deli or better still make your own drinks.

Homemade lemonade

Add 150g of caster sugar, the juice of 4 large lemons and a litre of chilled, sparkling mineral water into a blender and serve with crushed or cubed ice in bottles or jugs. Other options: elderflower cordial, mint tea, juice.

● Pink champagne served in little glass tumblers with crushed ice makes a lovely welcoming drink. Pimms is a summer classic and classic Mojito’s are a must with white rum, mine, lime and a little granulated sugar, soda water and ice. Just make sure you have plenty of ice to for drinks and to keep them cool.

● The important thing with summer food is it should look fresh and plentiful. A variety of breads and salads can be the mainstay and other options to add could be Spanish omelette, wild rice with caramelised red onions and olives, pasta with new potatoes, green beans, sweet corn and pesto, whole grilled salmon, lamb burgers and marinated chicken.

● When it comes to deserts, platters of fresh, seasonal fruits make for delicious afternoon snacking. For something more sinful, try lemon tart, sorbets, ice creams served with cones and mini flakes, or for a little alcoholic treat – champagne jelly looks and tastes quite delicious.

Sparkling Wine Jelly

Soften 3 teaspoons of gelatine into 1 cup of peach nectar and  put to one side. Place 2 cups of sparkling wine and half a cup of sugar in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to boil and then boil for a further minute. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the softened gelatine and remaining juice. Strain the mixture into an old crystal bowl and place in the fridge for a couple of hours until set and ready to serve. Alternatively set the mixture in ice cube holders.

Keep your favourite play list ready on the ipod and speakers, get yourself ready and enjoy.

Some of our favourite summer entertaining ideas