Host Your Own Garden Party at Home

Spring is upon us and with that comes the ever-growing desire to get outdoors and enjoy family time. But when it comes to having a quiet night in with your partner and kids, how can you make the meal feel extra special? Let us offer you our tips (and some delish recipes) on hosting your own garden party!

Garden Party DIY

Dinner time is so much more enjoyable when it’s an alfresco affair. A garden party is more or less an outdoor gathering with tasty food and drinks, lawn games, and socializing. While garden parties are often for ladies groups or adult night outs, you can easily make a garden party into a family fun night. 

To have your own garden party, you can use things you already have at home! That picnic table that hasn’t been used since last summer? Pull it out of your shed and give it a wash!

For some decorations, use that fun, colorful tablecloth that just never seems to be the right color scheme for your dining room decor. Fill a mason jar, vase or even tall glass with some freshly-cut flowers or pull out craft supplies and let your kids make paper flowers for the table!

What’s a party without lighting? Those white Christmas lights you have boxed up? Bring a set out and string them along your backyard. As the sun sets, the white twinkle will make the backyard seem all the more whimsical. 

As for table settings, use that mismatched china set you have that just collects dust in your curio cabinet. Your kids will feel grown-up using such fancy dishes. 

As for lawn games, the yard may still have a bit of winter frost left on it, so playing cornhole may not be a great idea. Instead, bring out board games once dinner is over and spread them across the table. Cozy up with blankets and enjoy some much-needed family time. 

Oh, and of course! You can’t have a party without food! Check out these recipes and how you can make them for your family. 

Garden Party Recipes Your Family Will Love

Charcuterie Board

When many of us think of charcuterie boards, we think fancy dinner parties and bougie events. But, we’re here to tell you that you can make a charcuterie board even your kids will love! To make a kid-friendly charcuterie board, you first need:

1. A flat surface for your display. Even if you don’t have a fancy, wooden board, you can use any flat dining wear you have.
2. Once you have your board, start with any food items that need to be contained in a bowl. This can be dips or sauces for veggies and crackers, maybe some nuts, trail mix, olives, etc. 
3. From there, lay out some cheese varieties. Only have deli slices? No problem! Cut them into little squares and serve them up! 
4. Next, you’ll want to add your meats. Ham, turkey slices, and little pepperonis are great–especially if you already have them on hand! 
5. The next food category you’ll want to add is your crackers, bread, and any other dip or cheese “holder” you wish to dine on. 
6. The last step is your fruits and veggies: Layer on the cucumbers, strawberries, grapes, and carrots for a lovely, colorful spread!

Don’t want the kids to touch everything on the board? Make mini-charcuterie boards in a similar way using fun dishes and plates! 

Chicken Salad Sliders

While you don’t want to fill up on charcuterie, though you certainly can make a meal out of it if you wish–  next comes the main course– a chicken salad slider. We love this recipe from Taste of Home that features chicken, grapes, strawberries, pecans, and more. Just listing the ingredients tastes like spring!

Chocolate Covered Bananas

And finally, what is a party without something sweet? Check out this recipe for chocolate peanut butter banana pops! All you need are three sliced bananas, chocolate chips, and peanut butter. 

You have your decor, your food, and your family–seems like the making of a great evening and even better memories. We hope you and your family enjoy these garden party tips!