Things that worked really well at parties

[mostesshostess]

(For adults)
We are having a big birthday party in the garden later in the summer and I am
Faffing on Pinterest
Just wondering what works really well, attn to detail things that you have seen and liked

Home Brew, lots of gingham or checked table cloths, hay bales to sit on, terracotta pots of basil on each table, fairy lights in trees, tea candles in brown paper bags, stripy straws for drinks.....

Warm and welcoming and no expectations!

Music, not too loud.
plenty of food and drink.

maybe some party games - and dancing

friend had a tent in her garden with cushions and tea lights, fairy lights where we all gathered and out the world to eights.

A suitcase full of booze and ABBA?

Lots of food and drinks and ice.
A relaxed atmosphere with a varied play list.
Good friends.

We did this a few years ago. Was very much casual/informal rather than tasteful.

Jugs of home made Sangria were very popular, although it went down a bit too easy.

Also, weirdly, cheese and pineapple on sticks. I made some as a bit of a joke but they lasted about 5 minutes and I had to make some more.

I also like the battery operated LED light strings in gin (or other spirit) bottles. They look really pretty.

Lots of food, drink and places to sit.

Buy your ice. I'm very much of the 'who the fuck buys ice, what a waste of money' school of thinking, but I bought a couple of bags for that party, didn't even use all of it, and it was very useful to have.

Make space in your freezer in advance for said ice, plus preparation of food or to store ready made nibbles etc. Over cater and plan on eating/freezing the leftovers in the following days.

Oh these are all great.
I am lost in selfie frame hell on the internet so I think I will step away from that

Just make sure you have plenty of food, drinks, millions of glasses, enough chairs for everyone to sit down (ask people to bring a chair if needed), clean loo (and check it regularly) and a contingency plan for rain.

If there’s not too many people going party bags for the adults at the end - piece of cake, pretty pencil, dinosaur eraser - brings back memories of childhood parties.
And a collection of wraps and cardis for when the sun goes down.