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Garden party centerpiece ideas


10 lovely looks for outdoor celebrations |

(Image credit: Future)

Garden party ideas are the perfect way to celebrate the warm weather in style. 

In the middle of summer, you’ll want to spend every moment possible outside. Whereas in the fall, sometimes nothing can be better than cozying up around a fire with friends to enjoy the crisp air. There are ways to make a garden party decor work for (nearly!) any time of year or space available.

So, from intimate moments to family extravaganzas, we’ve curated our favorite garden party decoration ideas for every type of party.

Garden party ideas

Whether you’re simply taking the family outside for dinner, or hosting a big group of friends, bringing things outside creates a new and fresh dynamic for your garden party ideas. And unlike garden decorating ideas, which will make your space feel unique year-round, these ideas will create a celebratory feel, whatever the occasion. 

1. Narrow down your theme

(Image credit: Talking Tables)

Deciding on a theme or color scheme early on can be a good starting point when it comes to planning a garden party. It can be as broad or as specific as you like - from roses and chintz to a Mad Hatter’s tea party - but having a theme can help to pull the party decor together visually and be a big help when picking out tableware, food and decorations. 

‘Why not choose a seasonal color scheme based on the color combination of flowers in your garden,’ says Jo Jeffery, Head of Brand Development at Talking Tables . ‘For our shoots we also try to use in-season produce – so while you may only want a few blooms for a couple of bud vases, why not think about what’s currently flowering. And the same goes for food too.’

‘And try to make use of items you already have when it comes to tableware and party decorations, or consider a trip to a thrift shop which can give something once-loved a new life too. It might also create some talking points for the table.’

2. Organise a table plan

(Image credit: Sophie Allport)

Choose a sturdy outdoor table, positioned on a sound base so that it stays stable. Avoid using the lawn if there has been a lot of wet weather, as chair legs might sink into soft ground. Or consider laying a temporary deck using a few wide timber planks laid lengthways.

If your garden table won’t stretch to a larger number of guests, then consider a temporary solution. Long trestle-style tables are easy to set up outdoors and several can be joined together if you need to seat a crowd. Cover up with extra-long white table cloths, prettied up with colorful runners along the center. Once the party is over, tables can be folded and stored away in a garage.

3. Sort the seating arrangements

(Image credit: Susie Watson Designs)

Make garden chairs comfier for guests by adding extra seat pads and cushions and a few knits and blankets to keep things cosy as the sun goes down. Having a stash of folding chairs on standby in the garden shed or garage is always useful too, should you need to seat extra numbers or any last-minute guests.

‘Create a magical setting for a summer’s evening with cushions, throws and candlelight,’ says Susie Watson . ‘It’s always a lovely idea when eating outside, to mix odd chairs from indoors. I love using our upholstered library chairs alongside a Gustavian chair or two. It will add color and interest, creating a jolly and welcoming look.’ 

‘The color palette for my fabric collection is inspired from the plants in the garden,  never be afraid to mix the bright colors alongside the calming tones; they always look wonderful, almost like a flower bed in the middle of the lawn.’

4. Give the table a focal point

(Image credit: Pelargoniums for Europe)

Garden plants and flowers in rustic terracotta planters make a pretty table centrepiece, lined up along the length of a table. Using taller items like pot plants, pitchers filled with florals or cake stands piled high with fancies will give a table arrangement extra height and creates an eye-catching focal point. Or consider using the space above a table for decoration and stringing paper pom poms from the branches of a tree to bring an extra pop of color.

‘Just because the sun sets, doesn’t mean your party needs to,’ says Mary Claire Boyd, Fair Director at Spirit of Summer Fair . ‘Consider draping outdoor festoons or fairy lights amongst trees, shrubs or adorned on fences to create a pretty and effective way of keeping your party going long into the night.’ 

‘Alternatively, candles (real or battery operated) create a wonderful atmosphere and ambiance when dotted around in lanterns or hurricane jars and citronella candles not only provide a fresh aroma but are great for repelling pesky bugs and insects.’

5. Mix and match tableware

(Image credit: Future PLC / David Brittain)

Finding matching tableware to accommodate extra guests can be tricky, but opting for an informal mismatched scheme in jolly brights and clashing florals is an easy way of getting around the problem. Different sets of china can be put together to provide extra place settings, mixing plains and patterns in cheery colors that will bring a relaxed charm to any table.

Using vintage crockery is another easy way of stretching out tableware so that there is plenty to go round. Look out for pretty floral tea cups, saucers, plates and serving dishes at thrift shops or garage sales, building up a characterful collection of mismatched pieces that are perfect for bringing out for parties or special occasions.

6. Make easy table settings

(Image credit: Future PLC / Simon Scarboro)

Using in-season blooms is an inexpensive way of decorating a garden party table and breaking down a large arrangement into separate smaller posies will make your flowers go further.

For an informal display idea, recycle old glass jam jars to display mini posies in. Wrap with brightly colored ribbon and stand one at each place setting. They also make lovely keepsakes for guests to take away afterwards.

7. Try a quick trick with cutlery

(Image credit: Future PLC / Simon Scarboro)

Give vintage cutlery and utensils a new lease of life with vibrant colors spray-painted on the handles. An easy way of co-ordinating mis-matched sets, go for a color combination that complements your table theme and then hand-tie knife, fork and spoons together using lengths of colored bakers’ twine finished with a bow.

For quirky place setting markers, create personalized rosettes for guests using remnants of fabric and offcuts of colored ribbon. Glue a circle of stiff card on to the front of each rosette and inscribe with guests’ names in a fancy font.

(Image credit: Future PLC / Lizzie Orme)

Create a makeshift bar that can be stocked with bottles and glassware so that the main table doesn’t become too crowded. Use a sturdy table covered with a colorful cloth and set in an easy-to-access spot so that guests can help themselves.

‘Being an attentive host does not mean you have to do it all,’ says Mary Claire Boyd.  ‘Having an area for guests to help themselves to drinks is an easy way to make sure you’re not spending all day topping up glasses or mixing cocktails.  

‘A drinks station or table with spirits, glasses, ice and mixers means guests can get creative and make their own concoctions. You can even have a couple of drink dispensers filled with ready prepared cocktails.’

‘Similarly, if you have the time to prepare salads and food in advance, try to do so the night before and then let your friends and family serve themselves. By preparing a few dishes ahead of time, you won’t be hidden away in the kitchen missing the fun outside.’

9. Organize a breakaway area

(Image credit: Future PLC / Simon Scarboro)

Set up a few easy chairs away from the main table area where guests can go to sit and chat or enjoy some quiet time away from the hubbub of the party. Add a parasol or makeshift canopy that will provide shelter from the sun when it's at its hottest.

‘Plan for all weathers,’ advises Mary Claire Boyd. ‘It's always good to have a wet weather plan, should it decide to take a turn for the worst. Do you have space to continue the party inside? Alternatively, can you pitch up a gazebo or marquee in your garden? Think about the "what ifs" so you have a plan B if needed. ’

‘A basket of blankets or throws hung across the backs of chairs also makes it easy for people to grab and use if the evening turns cooler. And a few floor cushions situated on outdoor rugs provide an alternative and inviting place to rest if there are not enough chairs.’ 

10. Set the mood after dark

(Image credit: Lights4fun)

Plan garden party lighting ideas that will take your table from day to night and create a magical mood outside. Position pillar candles and lanterns along the length of your table, ready for lighting after dark, adding nightlights at each place setting to give extra sparkle.

‘For the perfect finishing touch, place connectable string lights overhead to create a magical atmosphere all around,’ says Claire Bassett, Senior Product Manager at Lights4fun . ‘From a singular power source, attach the string lights to overhead branches, shepherd hooks or the beams of a pergola and swag each string back and forth to light up your garden party. ’

‘The warm glow will radiate across your space and create an enchanting ambience so you can celebrate after dusk. Finally, add solar bulbs either to the string of fairy lights or surrounding tree branches, securing them in place with fishing wire. The flair of color will create a rich, vibrant display, perfect for hosting summer celebrations.’

11. Set up for a playful outdoor tea party

(Image credit: Future)

What could be more magical than an afternoon tea party surrounded by friends and the beauty of nature? For an outdoor dining idea with whimsy and wow-factor, position a portable table under a tree in a secluded part of the garden and use the branches overhead to suspend paper pompoms over the table – the perfect garden party idea for a playful festival feel. 

Layer the table with patterned linens and top chairs with plenty of eye-catching seat-pads cushions. Bring the table to life with jugs of fresh flowers and arrange treats on tiered cake stands for a classic afternoon tea feel – these will also bring height to your spread, too.  

12. Create a pretty place setting with vintage finds

(Image credit: Emma Bridgewater)

For a quirky, homespun look which is easy to create, why not use what you have and layer up a selection of vintage floral, block-printed and lace-edged tablecloths with mix and match crockery, glassware and cutlery? For a feminine flourish tie cutlery with ribbon and dot about plenty of freshly cut garden flowers.

13. Create a fabric awning

(Image credit: Susie Watson Designs)

A garden awning is a perfect shade garden idea against the midday sun during summer lunches – for a pretty country twist try making one using classic striped fabric as demonstrated here by Susie Watson Designs.

'I have always wanted to create an awning on the terrace to shade from the sunlight whilst we eat or read the newspaper,' says founder Susie Watson . 'Our Pale Rose Ivory Wide Stripe seemed like the perfect understated cotton; sophisticated and subtle, the stripes really do suit any outside space.   The towering hollyhocks echo the colours of the jolly tassels, the ideal tone to transition from early spring to high summer.'

14. Choose a practical and stylish drinks trolley

(Image credit: The White Company)

The drinks trolley has made a huge comeback in recent years as more and more of us are discovering the delights of home entertaining. Rather than keep your drinks trolley indoors, why not bring some glamor to your garden party by wheeling it out of the dining room and onto the patio as a portable garden bar idea? 

Make sure your trolley is fully equipped by loading it up with flutes, gin glasses, drinks, an ice bucket and coasters. Add in your favorite aromatic herbs in pots so that you can have a freshly picked supply for your summer cocktails and don't forget some candles to create that magical atmosphere after dark. 

'Beautiful bar cart ideas make a perfect focal point when styled with wine glasses, flutes, goblets and  tumblers all of different heights.  Buff your glassware so it sparkles and add your linens and some seasonal flowers. As the sun moves around the garden you can easily reposition the trolley wherever you wish,' says Mark Winstanley our chief creative officer at The White Company . 

15. Decorate a chair with ribbons

(Image credit: Future)

Creating a beautiful effect when fluttering in the breeze, tying ribbons to a chair is an easy and inexpensive way to bring a playful touch to garden party decor. 

French-style cafe chairs are an easy design to fasten them to and will also give a relaxed feel. Pick out ribbons to co-ordinate with the colors in your table linen and choose different widths for extra interest, you could also add in floral sprigs, too. 

16. Add floral flourishes 

(Image credit: Sarah Raven / Photography © Jonathan Buckley)

No garden party table would be complete without freshly cut flowers. There's no need for an extravagant bouquet, just a few stems are enough to add a floral flourish, in fact, sometimes less is more. Set in a handy holder, these glasses from Sarah Raven make perfect mini bud vases – you could leave them grouped for a focal point or alternatively place one at each place setting. 

For a mid-summer color pop try a combination of hot pink cacti dahlias and yellow fennel. If you're thinking of growing your own flowers for cutting then be sure to do your research on planning a cut flower garden.

17. Decorate with edible flowers

(Image credit: Emma Britton)

Decorating garden party food with edible flowers is a fitting finishing touch for a summer spread that is guaranteed to bring sparkle to an al fresco celebration. Try using them to decorate a show-stopping cake for an eye-catching centerpiece, or floating them in arrival drinks – they can also be used in salads, too. If you're thinking of using flowers to decorate food then it's important that they are certified as edible – be sure to do your research first and to buy them from trusted specialist suppliers.  

18. Don't forget the party games

(Image credit: Future)

Outdoor living rooms are the perfect space for hosting games night. Outdoor games are a great garden party idea that all the family can enjoy. There are plenty of sets to buy online from classics such as croquet and French boules to oversized versions of indoor favorites like Jenga, chess and Connect Four. Alternatively, if you're feeling crafty, you could create your own garden party game idea such as this simple ring toss game made by filling a retro fruit crate with colored bottles ready for looping with ribbon-bound hoops.

19. Set the mood

(Image credit: Layered Lounge)

If you're planning on hosting an intimate gathering on the patio then factor in plenty of outdoor lighting ideas and cozy textiles to create a magical atmosphere after dark. 'When entertaining outdoors you want to ensure the set up is stylish and comfortable, almost like an extension of the home, says Suzy Humphreys, founder of Layered Lounge.  

'Adding light throws and cushions in summer fabrics and colours adds texture and coziness on chillier evenings. I also like to dot lanterns and candles around the garden as the gentle glow of candlelight adds a real sense of occasion and will beautifully highlight your al fresco bar or dining table.'

20. Keep the kids entertained

(Image credit: Raj Tent Club)

When hosting a garden party for all the family it's important to keep the little ones entertained, so consider styling up a secret area especially for them. For a relaxed, playful look, why not choose a vibrant boho theme? Begin by laying down colorful patterned rag rugs (brilliant for disguising dirt and stains) and then add in miniature rattan furniture and a selection of Moroccan pouffes. Great indoors as well as outdoors, leather pouffes are easy to wipe clean if marked by little grubby hands. For a fun finishing touch tie colorful ribbons from branches overhead. 

21. Choose a patriotic theme

(Image credit: Grandin Road)

Whether you're thinking Memorial Day decor, 4th July decorating ideas or even celebrating Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee party ideas, creating a red, white and blue color scheme can be a great way to make your garden party ideas suit not just patriotic occasions, but all occasions. Adorn the front of your home, or just create red, white and blue table decor out in the backyard.

How can I decorate my backyard for a party?

The best way to decorate your garden for a party is to first think about what type of occasion you will be celebrating. Once you have that important element nailed, consider budget, color schemes and whether your garden party decorations will need to be waterproof or child-friendly. 

How do I throw a garden party?

Throw a garden party in any style you desire, but one of the most special things about taking things outside is the joy of al fresco dining. 

Take a traditional dinner party and move the fun outdoors. Menu-wise, why not choose summer recipes that can be cooked on the fire or in the oven, depending on how the mood takes you. Plus, this outdoor dining idea is a lovely, family-style way of entertaining.

For decorating your table outside, complement the season with your color choices. Dress the table with simple linens, terracottas and recycled glassware for an earthy, eco-moment. If you have kids running around, swap in hardy melamine platters and plastic glassware that look like the real deal.

Demarcating zones is a great way to add intrigue and intimacy to a garden party.

If, when designing your garden, you have entertaining in mind, then consider using flowers and shrubs to define various sections. Planting beds can add a sense of privacy to smaller seating areas. Add in some herb pots here, too, for a natural way to scent a cozy area.

Tasha Green, Director of Weaver Green, suggests to, ‘create hidden areas to escape the madding crowd. Create simple wooden brackets and attach them to walls and fences to use as hanging structures for textiles (large bull clips are perfect for a non-permanent attachment).’

Alternatively, invest in a tent or marquee for an opulent feel. This is an especially lovely idea at a birthday, to create a focal point for gathering.

How do I keep my guests comfortable at a garden party?

Comfort is everything for your guests, especially when you’re outside and will be lingering until the last rays of sun have faded away.  

While seat and bench pads are of course useful, few of us will have the right number of chairs when throwing bigger garden parties. Instead, make use of your square footage and make the ground a new comfort zone, as in the outdoor living room idea shown above. 

‘We use lots of lovely outdoor scatter cushions, floor cushions and outdoor rugs to take the hard edges off,’ says Tasha Green, Director of Weaver Green. ‘Make sure your textiles are outdoor-proof and quick drying. Then they can be left outdoors with no ill effect.’

Keep guests warm with outdoor fireplace ideas or fire pits. Add chic, modern country charm to your garden party by looking to unusual ways of displaying practical necessities. 

A foraged branch strung up with rope, or perhaps across where a hammock would usually hang, is the perfect place to display blankets. 

Attach stylish leather loops to throws in complementary colors. They’ll look pretty during the day, and when evening rolls around, your guests will know exactly where to head to for an extra layer.

Pippa is Content Editor on Homes & Gardens online contributing to Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors print issues. A graduate of Art History and formerly Style Editor at Period Living, she is passionate about architecture, creating decorating content, interior styling and writing about craft and historic homes. She enjoys searching out beautiful images and the latest trends to share with the Homes & Gardens audience. A keen gardener, when she’s not writing you’ll find her growing flowers on her village allotment for styling projects.

21 Beautiful Backyard Party Ideas to Throw in Your Garden

Updated February 12, 2021

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Watercolor paint garden party

Credit: Kristy Rice

Bring laid-back elegance to a small, socially-distanced backyard get-together with these ideas for centerpieces decorations, cocktails, and food. They're all fit for the garden setting.

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Watercolor paint garden party

Credit: Kristy Rice

Little Mary Lennox wasn't the only one enchanted by the idea of a secret garden. When the weather shifts to warm and breezy, the earth is green again, and the outdoors beckon to us from our indoor dwellings, you have the perfect excuse to throw an intimate garden party. Choose a day, invite a small group of friends and family members over (COVID-guidelines permitting), and get ready to enjoy a safe, socially-distant afternoon in the open air. We have over 25 years' worth of ideas, befitting every occasion in the outdoors.

Hosting a small tea party? Bring out the guests' favorite blends, cucumber sandwiches, and set the table with your finest china. Celebrating a baby shower or backyard birthday party? Go all out and display centerpieces, décor, and more on tiered stands—even if some guests still need to attend virtually, the details won't go unnoticed.

Warm days and comfortably cool evenings are made for entertaining outside. To better utilize your outdoor space, make sure you have comfortable seating and shaded canopies. When decorating, consider what will withstand in the elements—rain or shine: moss, galvanized metal, ceramics and stoneware, herbs, and fresh flowers. Herbs and fruit trees are always ripe for the picking in your backyard, so gather them into a pitcher centerpiece that guests can forage from themselves. A pretty mix of garden roses, ranunculus, sweet peas, and anemones always look resplendent in cups and bowls. Even the smallest decorations serve double-duty at the table: napkin holders, drink trays, and food covers to keep the pests at bay.

As for food and drink, keep the menu light and delicious. Lemonade, herbal tea, and fruity sangria can be chilled and served by the bowlful, too. Browse our best backyard party ideas, then step out into the sunshine.

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Linen-Covered Pot s

flower print linen pots and bag

Credit: Ryan Liebe

Get the Linen-Covered Pot How-To

You can dress up just about anything for a backyard party, and that includes your prized plants. Floral-themed linens can accent flowerpots to make every aspect of your festivities fresh and in season.

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Flower-Filled Cocktails

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Raise a glass to the season! For a truly inspired sip, we love the idea of floating edible flower blossoms in your cocktails, like this blushing combination of gin-and-grapefruit. Lillet Rose, a fortified-wine blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscatel, has the aroma of flowers and ripe berries—perfect for a springtime aperitif.

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Citrus Garden Wreath

sweet laurel retreat hanging orange wreath

Credit: Claire Thomas

Get the Citrus Garden Wreath How-To

Decorative fruit and flowers are nothing new, but together they create outdoor decorations ideal for relaxed summer entertaining. Craft cut flowers and citrus with sparse greenery on a natural twig base, and let it swing freely from a length of sisal rope.

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Sugared-Flowered Doughnuts

sugared flowered doughnuts

Credit: Ryan Liebe

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Want something sweet and eye-catching to serve for dessert? Look no further than these sugared-flowered doughnuts. While this edible design can top any confection of your choosing, we think these individual glazed treats are both adorable and COVID-friendly.

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Herb-Cheese Palmiers

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A classic French pastry gets the savory treatment with Parmesan, cheddar, and your choice of fresh herbs. Form them by folding up a sheet of puff pastry and then cutting it into thin slices.

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Flower Vase Napkin Fold

A napkin styled as a vase holds a bouquet of spring flowers.

Credit: Janelle Jones

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At each place setting, leave a cup of freshly picked flowers wrapped in a cloth napkin. An intimate group of guests can use the napkin during the sit-down meal, then take home their blooms at the end of the evening.

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Outdoor Cushions

tufted bench cushions

Credit: Lennart Weibull

Get the Outdoor Cushions How-To

Comfortable seating is important for a small and successful garden party, whether guests are lounging under the sun canopy poolside or under the stars at twilight. For an added artisanal touch, wind yarn into a knot for the buttons on each cushion.

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Herb Centerpiece

herb-bouquet-137-d112984.jpg

Credit: Aaron Dyer

When herb gardens overflow with more than is needed in any kitchen, why not use the extra yield in a fragrant centerpiece? Mix shapes and textures, and add color with edible flowers and herb blossoms. This arrangement, which includes mint, spicy chives, lavender, and rosemary, sits in a high-sided vessel.

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Sunflower Cupcake Cake

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Make any socially distanced celebration more memorable with this mighty cake in the shape of a sunflower. A small round cake topped with berries sits at the center. Mini cupcakes, frosted in three sunny shades of yellow, make up the petals. Everyone can grab their own serving without touching the rest of the dessert.

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Poppies Centerpiece

Poppies

Credit: Ditte Isager

This bouquet of blooming poppies—cut from the garden and tucked into a vase alongside a rosy-colored treats and drinks—is lively and serene. With their regal reds and rose pinks, wispy whites and flushed creams, this backyard idea makes the perfect arrangement for a small soirée.

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Proper Toppers

food tents

Credit: Pernille Loof

The dishes in your backyard deserve prettier bug protection than aluminum foil. These mesh and woven tents by Amanda Lindroth are an elegant fix: They keep bees and flies out while elevating any barbecue.

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Sangria

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Choose a crisp white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, and mix in orange liqueur, fresh ginger, lemon juice, basil, or mint leaves. Then, add your choice of summer fruits, such as pineapple, cantaloupe, and apricots. This refreshing white sangria can be prepared up to a day in advance.

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Blooming Flower Letters

diy floral monogram step 4

Credit: Olivia Anton

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Made with foam letters, this bright floral decoration is lightweight enough to hang from the trees or even float in a nearby pool. Use this backyard idea to make a monogram for the guest of honor or craft as a greeting.

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Martha's Extra-Lemony Lemonade

Credit: Mike Krautter

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Lemon juice, fresh slices, and a syrup made by cooking the rinds provides the wonderful thirst-quenching flavor for this drink. Liven it up with sprigs of mint and add a spirit if you like, or enjoy it as a nonalcoholic refresher.

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Terra-Cotta Napkin Rings

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Napkin rings can oftentimes be forgotten, but these sun-kissed terra-cotta iterations will make your tableware stand out like never before. Plus, this DIY project is made purely of no-bake, air-dry clay—which means no-fuss decorating.

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Rolled Hem Napkins

edged cloth napkins orange blue stripes folded

Credit: SIDNEY BENSIMON

Get the Rolled Hem Napkins How-To

Some of the best backyard party decorating ideas come in the form of mixed patterns. These rolled hem napkins offer just that, and they also add a modern feel to your tablescape thanks to the variety of linens.

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Flowerpot Food Covers

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Credit: Raymond Hom

Flowerpots aren't only for flowers. With their sturdy impenetrable material, they're also cleverly used to protect dips and other dishes from party-crashing insects. Create a handle by cutting an 18-inch length of 1/4-inch cord and knotting the ends together. Thread the looped end through the drain hole in the flowerpot.

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Classic Shrimp Cocktail

Shrimp Cocktail

Credit: Thomas Loof

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Take it from Martha: Shrimp cocktail is an easy, elegant appetizer for entertaining. Serve yours alongside homemade cocktail sauce for a bite everyone—whether your kids or your best friends—will love.

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Hammock

Drop Cloth Decorating

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Get the Hammock How-To

Our backyard party ideas are all meant to accent the beauty of mother nature. A hammock will allow you to do this and more at your garden party. Simply attach this lounging accessory to a pair of trees and let comfort commence.

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Charcuterie Board

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Credit: Jenna Saraco

An array of cured meats and cheeses can set the stage for an unforgettable backyard party with a few friends and family members. A charcuterie board also includes toasted breads and jams to suit any palate without making anyone too full before the main course.

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Canvas Umbrella

canvas umbrella

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If you're hosting a small backyard get-together, odds are that the sun is out, and the weather is at its best. But if the heat is getting a little too intense, an umbrella can easily remedy this issue. Choose one made of sturdy canvas that'll last for seasons to come.

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