How to host a meaningful (and safe) summer soirée

If you yearn for the company of others, mark the occasion with an intimate gathering

Image: Kelsey Chance via Unsplash

Summer is officially upon on and with it, it brings the promise of flowers in bloom, beautifully balmy evenings, fresh air, and appeasing temperatures. This potent blend serves as the perfect backdrop for a summer soirée with your nearest and dearest—a celebration of togetherness, and the future. From decor to drinks, you need only consult our hosting guide to ensure your reunion, be it indoors or out, goes without a hitch. 

EMBRACE THE OUTDOORS
After months of being confined to your living room, it makes sense that many of us are making spending time outdoors a priority—cue an alfresco catch-up. Throw open your doors and allow people to move between rooms and your garden freely, while keeping your distance from one another; chances are, you’ll migrate between indoors and out thanks to our reliably changeable weather. 

SERVE A NO-FUSS FEAST
You needn’t spend all day cooking—keep things relaxed and simple with a gorgeous grazing table boasting cured meats, cheese, crudities, grapes, and savoury snacks. Decorate with sliced figs or citrus fruits. For anyone who suffers from allergies, make them their own feasts using personalised, paper deli boxes for a thoughtful touch. As for desserts, why not ask your guest to put their new-found baking skills to good use, with each able attendee bringing a different sweet treat for the party to enjoy. If you can, divide your food between households and ask your guests to kindly stick to their platters.

RELAXED LIBATIONS 
To save you buying in lots of options, serve delicious punches with fresh ingredients. A refreshing gin, elderflower, tonic, and soda concoction is always a crowd-pleaser, as is strawberry lemonade as a non-alcoholic alternative. Sit them on a table to create a drinks station, alongside an ice bucket and pretty garnishes like rosemary sprigs, basil leaves, citrus slices, or plump berries. Display glassware of different shapes and sizes to add to the laid-back vibe.

DECORATE RESOURCEFULLY
While the real sentiment of your get-together is reuniting with your loved ones, chances are you’ll still want it to look the stylish part. Create an eclectic look by layering mismatched vintage tea plates, which you’ve borrowed from family members (everyone has a set lurking at the back of a cupboard which could use some love). Juxtapose with simple linen napkins. 

FLOURISH WITH FLOWERS
Nothing beats curating a bouquet from the blooms at your favourite florist but, in an attempt to keep costs low, take a walk in nature on the day of your soirée, with a basket in the crook of your arm, and pick your flowers as you go—just so long as they’re not from someone’s garden. 

FORGO FORMAL SEATING PLANS
If relaxation is the desired effect, why not create a make-shift seating area outside, or in a large living room. Floor cushions and blankets will make for a cosy aesthetic, particularly after dusk. A few days before you host, why not call around local businesses to see if they gave any wooden pallets to spare—that way, you can layer them atop of one another to make a multi-level area. Though we only recommend doing so in your garden—just think of the damage a rough pallet could do to your plush carpet. 

ADD AMBIENT LIGHTING 
A chiminea or fire-pit makes for a great focal point, but will also keep your guests toasty and provide dream-like lighting as the sky begins to darken. If you’re sitting safely indoors, switch off your main lights and opt for table lamps and candles for a soft gleam. 

CONSIDER YOUR SOUNDTRACK 
Your guests will take their cues from the music you play. If conversation is what you want to encourage, opt for mellow music with whimsical wording that’s heavy on instrumentals. If you’re intent on playing games, change the music to a more energetic pace. 

AMUSE THE LITTLE ONES
After increased time spent indoors, keep younger guests entertained with more hands-on activities. A scavenger hunt will always earn you points in their book. Or why not encourage some light crafting? Fill a table with crayons and paper, sculpting dough, beads, and thread—anything to keep their minds (and hands) busy. Of course, you’ll also want to make sure you’ve got snacks to suit children—a mix of sweet treats with healthy savoury options will appease their tummies and keep their parents happy, too.