Backyard Party Ideas

Creative and Elegant Garden Party Decorations & Ideas You’ll Love This Summer

What better way to get to know your neighbours than by throwing a festive springtime backyard get together? You don’t have to live in a multi-million-dollar waterfront lot or have a gorgeous rooftop terrace overlooking the skyline to throw a party that would make high profile celebrities hinting for an invite. Bright colours, a fun theme, some festive food and voila! You’ve got all the neighbours in one place to enjoy the crisp spring air and some good conversation. So how do you throw the season’s cutest and most talked about fling? I’m so glad you asked.

Depending on where you live the backyard space you have to work with may vary. When doing a condo vs house comparison, it may be easier to host a party in the larger backyard of a home than in the smaller space in a condo. If your condo space it too small to host a backyard get-together, consider other social events that are more intimate and can be done inside.

   • Prep the Space

There is something personal and intimate about a backyard, which makes it a great place to host a springtime get-together. Prepare the space so it is comfortable and appealing by mowing the grass, picking weeds, and removing any evidence that you have a dog (wink, wink.)

If you have a patio area, set it up so it’s easy for guest to maneuver and mingle, and have specific areas to place food and drinks, and make sure there are enough chairs for a number of guests you are expecting. If you plan on serving food, set up one long table if possible, so everyone can eat together. If you’re really popular and have a lot of friends coming to your home and garden party, two long tables next to each other give everyone enough space but avoids excluding people.

   • Decorate the Space

Depending on the time of the day that you’re hosting your shindigs, lighting may or may not be required. If it is a brunch or early afternoon party, you should have plenty of natural light. If you think your party may linger into the evening hours, or if it is specifically a night time event, rope lighting or string lights up against the house, along a fence or around a tree can really help set the mood.

Nothing says springtime like mason jars, and they can be used for anything from drinking glasses to flower vases. And speaking of flowers, if your theme is spring, you’ve got to have flowers. Decorating the tables with freshly grown flowers is a simple way to incorporate colour into your party, and adds a subtle aroma to your venue. A simple garden tub with floating flowers and candles is an easy and inexpensive way to add a touch of elegance to your backyard event.

   • Cool Garden Party Themes

For some reason, springtime and brunch just seem to go together. Maybe it’s the way a cool mimosa goes with a spring breeze, or how fresh picked berries and colourful veggies just so happen to be ripe in the spring, and a staple on many brunch menus. If you’re planning a springtime brunch, consider setting up a waffle bar with warm, brown waffles and sweet toppings to add, or a yoghurt parfait bar where guests can layer creamy yoghurt with crunchy granola or fresh fruit for a refreshing snack.  

A garden party is another popular springtime event, where guests can sip fresh squeezed lemonade from mason jars, snack on healthy, finger foods like tuna salad sandwiches and mini caprice salads, and mingle amongst fresh flowers, and simple garden-themed decor. As the sun goes down and the temperature drop, offer guests cozy blankets to warm up with or gather around a fire pit for smores and a good time.

   • Some Funny Backyard Game Ideas

Utilise the space in your background for a few games or activities that guests can play at their leisure. A ring toss game made with neon, glow in the dark rings is a creative evening game, and a bean bag toss, life-size wooden block stacking game and corn hole are all popular backyard game ideas that get people talking and are excellent ice breakers for a mixed crowd. Springtime parties are usually a little more reserved than a typical summer BBQ, so keep the calm and peaceful vibe in mind when planning your event.

   • Think About The Details

You know who loves spring almost as much as you? Bugs. Don’t let a few pesky insects chase your guests into your house, or worse, back to their own. Invest in a few outdoor Citronella candles (or make your own) to ensure everyone can enjoy the outdoors without being bitten.

Also, remember that springtime can be unpredictable when it comes to the weather, so it is important to have a backup plan (a large event style tent, maybe?) for guests to escape a quick spring shower.

If you’re inviting the neighbours who have kids, make sure you have things for them to do so they aren’t bored and kid-friendly party foods and drinks for them to enjoy. They may not find conversations about your job, finances, politics or real estate that exciting, so give them something they can get excited about!

A bright, colourful and cheery springtime backyard party is a great excuse to get everyone together for no reason at all. It is a fun way to connect with old friends and a simple way to make new ones. There is no better time than spring to host a backyard party that encourages new friends, new beginnings, and new relationships. With a little careful planning, the right yard, and some beautiful flowers, you can host a home and garden party event than the whole neighbourhood will be talking about all year.

I hope you like some of these backyard party ideas and can make use of them when you’re going to throw your own springtime garden event.

Thanks a lot for reading

Klaudia