Entertaining in a pretty yard or garden setting is to already begin with a wonderful ambiance–especially if you live in an area where you can pretty much rely on the weather to smile on you during the warmer summer months. (I live in Seattle, where a Plan B is always necessary.)
The first two things I’d recommend would be some party lights worked into the area for twilight and after-dark gatherings–strings of oriental lanterns or lighted clusters of grapes for a sophisticated twinkle, or a fun and colorful design–available as anything from mini cocktails to cowboys to tropical in theme; and if possible, bring speakers outdoors to add the background of music to that ambiance. (You will want it kept low enough to converse over, so it shouldn’t bother the neighbors.)
For an adult group enjoying cocktails or a glass of wine, classic cocktail music like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald is perfect–or often you can buy inexpensive mixed albums at party stores if you don’t mind that they’re not by the original artists. For a dinner group, light rock (or hard rock, if it suits your group–but keep the volume down) or jazzy blues goes well.
Arrange your garden furniture in a conversational grouping, as you would your living room.
Food–this will depend on the time of day of your gathering. If it’s dinner time (a glass of wine or a drink after work), people will be hungry, so even if you don’t plan on providing a meal, make sure you offer simple but substantial hors d’oevres–the “one glass” often stretches into several as people relax and talk begins to flow–so that nobody’s imbibing gets the upper hand on an empty stomach. Everyone seems to like artichoke dip served in a hollowed-out round loaf of French bread, using the scraps of bread from the center for spreading, augmented by crackers (the bread always runs out). This can be made the day before, and is substantial enough to keep the hunger down. If it’s last-minute, stop by the deli and pick up a cheese tray, a couple of kinds of crackers, and perhaps some sliced salami. If it’s completely impromptu and catches you unprepared, ordering a pizza when the first drink moves to the second drink, is perfectly acceptable.
If you’re considering entertaining larger groups and/or more of a barbecue ambiance, here are links to ideas for set-up and food.
If you’d like an old-fashioned afternoon garden party, please see these suggestions.
There’s something so enjoyable about the combination of hospitality and the beauty of the outdoors, that your garden may well become a favorite gathering spot.
05.27.09
