| If you're a home and garden party consultant, | | | | casual: from large affairs to cozy, intimate |
| helping your hostesses come up with ideas for | | | | gatherings. The most important thing when |
| their parties can be a win-win situation for both of | | | | planning a garden party is to decide on the theme, |
| you. For the hostess, having a printed list with | | | | and then use it to create the atmosphere you |
| ideas, themes and even recipes can take a big | | | | want. |
| part of the stress off her shoulders, and make | | | | Of course you'll have to take into consideration |
| her more motivated and enthusiastic about the | | | | the time of year, the time of day the party is |
| party. For you, the consultant, having a happy | | | | being held, the number of guests expected and |
| hostess means happier and more relaxed guests, | | | | the location. But here are some fun themes that |
| and everyone having a wonderful time at the | | | | have resulted in successful parties with |
| party. This also can translate into more sales for | | | | better-than-average sales and party bookings. Feel |
| you. | | | | free to adapt them so that they work for you! |
| Although a garden party may make you think of | | | | Tea Party: Get elegant with cloth tablecloths and |
| elegant women in large hats, sipping tea out of | | | | napkins, fancy napkin rings and place settings. The |
| tiny porcelain cups, in reality it doesn't require a | | | | centerpieces could be glass bowls, decanters or |
| home in the country with a large lawn, beautiful | | | | bottles filled with flowers, fruit or candles. Serve |
| grounds and lots of outdoor furniture. Successful | | | | tea, finger sandwiches and elegant little desserts |
| garden parties can happen on small patios in the | | | | on stacked trays. |
| city, in the backyard of the suburbs or even in a | | | | Use flowers or potted plants if the party is on the |
| living room or dining room. In fact, some of the | | | | patio, or set it up in the garden itself, if the time |
| most successful garden parties don't even happen | | | | of year is right. Place your displays inside the |
| in the hostess's home - we've had successful | | | | house or around the outdoor area, and use the |
| garden parties at the local park, at a family | | | | same tablecloths and elegant theme as the party. |
| member or neighbor's home, and once, even on a | | | | Light classical music, guitar music or new age |
| mother-daughter camp-out! | | | | would blend in beautifully. |
| Garden parties can range from the elegant to the | | | | |