I have a really stupid non-problem that I need your help with.

[BroccoliSpears]

For Christmas, PILs gave us a cheque to buy some stuff for our new patio.

We didn't want to buy a Homebase table'n'chairs set with matching brolly, so instead have bought bits and pieces here and there. A nice bench. Some pots and plants.

We've not really counted every penny, but I recon we've about spent the amount they gave us.

Here's the problem. They're coming to see us in a couple of weeks and objectively speaking, the patio looks, well, a bit shit really. They're going to think we squandered the money.

The bench is lovely but totally doesn't match our old crap green plastic stuff which we still have out because one bench isn't enough. The pots and planters sort of get lost. I'm systematically killing the plants. The brightly coloured plastic crap (sandpit, seesaw etc) doesn't exactly add to the look.

What I need is some really cheap, cheating way to make our patio look lovely. Can anyone advise?

(I am aware of how rubbish this 'problem' is. Sorry. PILs are really snotty though and I don't want to antagonise them further).

what about a couple of big pots filled with some pretty flowers

B&Q and even tesco have lots of pretty flowers at bargain prices, and a couple of nice pots from wilkinsons...

and / or a few hanging baskets?

I got some pre filled wicker hanging baskets filled with bizy lizzies in wilkinsons for £5 they look far more expensive than that and bracket to hang them on is 99p

Big pots and fill with small shrub and maybe trailing lobelia

Can you rearrange patio furniture to 'show off' bench and planters etc? (maybe move/store away few of the plastic bits)

Also wilkos have a nice silver bistro table and 2 wicker chairs fairly cheap if you wanted to replace the green plastic furniture

If its a nice day why not put a table cloth over the table and have tea and cakes out there? Impress with a Lemon Drizzle and they hopefully won't notice your lack of greenfingered- ness.

Will look for Wilkos table and chairs. Sounds good.

Hanging baskets and tablecloths also good idea.

Maybe some fairy lights?

Ahh, and lemon drizzle. Of course.

this is the wilko set £30 but out of stock on line

another one for £40 and in stock

How much do want to spend.

Our local Asda had a set of a bench, 2 seat and a coffee table for £90.

Where do you live Broccoli? We have a couple of large wooden planters you can have for free. they are a bit weather worn on the top, but I'm sure a bit of teak oil or something would sort them out. We are in Southampton.

Very kind of you Lucky, but we're way up in Yorkshire.

Will use the tips on this thread and hope that a combination of lemon drizzle and cute grandchildren will distract them.