Dining and entertaining outdoors are a lot of fun and there are plenty of things you can do to ensure you get the very best out of your garden furniture and décor while pleasing your friends and family at social events:
Parties that run from the afternoon to the evening require a change of pace and lighting. Be sure that you have soft throws for people to wrap themselves in and cushions to warm shady seats, coffee drinks to give a bit of a zing to sun-weary bodies and mood lighting - have candles or tree lights already in place so all you have to do is turn them on or light them to change the mood entirely.
Just for one evening, disconnect any motion-sensitive lights - nothing is nastier than the glare of a blinding floodlight as a guest moves down the garden in the dusk.
Dot your tables and benches with small wicker baskets filled with sunscreen and easy wipe-on bug repellent, tuck in a few sugar-free lollies for the kids and some cologne wipes for those who have been eating greasy or sticky food.
If you are entertaining adults, don't use plastic tableware. Tour your local charity shops and buy pretty things to give you a mismatched set of china and glassware for outdoor use. If something breaks, you won't have to worry about a replacement and it looks delightfully old fashioned and gypsy like.
Use cloth napkins; they won't blow away in the wind. If you can, make them out of the same fabric as your loungers or at least choose something that harmonises with them.
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