Ultimate Summer Garden Parties!

Read up on Food Health and Safety literature on the internet - you don't want the memories of your guests to be something similar to that of a zombie movie!

Warn your neighbours of your impending party, particularly if it is likely to involve a late night, music and your brother in law pretending to be a rock star on the karaoke machine!...or better still, invite them, the more the merrier!

Research the web for easy and authentic BBQ (and cocktail) recipes to help WOW your guests.

Use vegetables and herbs in your garden as additional ingredients! A strategically placed window box can provide a handy array of extra flavours for your outdoor cooking adventures.

First and foremost, (and arguably more important than the BBQ itself in some peoples eyes!) are the beverages. Now immediately you may have let your mind wander to that cold pint of beer, beaded with condensation sitting in the sun, but why not use this party as an opportunity to wow your guests with your cocktail mixing skills and really get your party off to a flying start! Nothing screams 'Summer' more than a Pina Colada poured over lashings of ice and garnished with all manner of fruit and Cocktail Decorations & Novelties, 'Delboy' style! Or perhaps you prefer a more classy summer cooler such as a nice chilled white wine to go with that barbecued lemon chicken, either way its your party, your choice!

Party Cocktail Ideas

Pina Colada - Add one part pineapple juice, one part light rum and one part coconut cream in a cocktail shaker and shake well. Pour into a tall glass over ice and garnish with fruit (pineapple wedge and cherries work well).

Sex on the Beach - Two parts vodka with one part peach schnapps. Mix well with two parts orange juice and two parts cranberry juice over ice with an orange slice

Now to the BBQ, the centrepiece and focal point of your party, which if not done right can, and will, taint the evening - no pressure! Unfortunately in these circumstances, a couple of cheap disposable barbecues just will not do. Both Weber and Broil King offer exceptional BBQs with exceptional features and all you need to decide is whether you want a traditional charcoal, convenient gas or hassle-free electric BBQ. Each mode of cooking has its advantages and drawbacks and don't forget, if you are planning to invite the masses, you must thoroughly consider the size of your BBQ!

Gas Barbecues: Gas barbecues are available in a variety of sizes to cater for whatever party size you have. For small family gatherings, the Weber Q style barbecues are exceptional and very robust. Perfect for smaller gardens or just a terrace or balcony, the smallest "baby Q" caters for up to six people and the largest Q300 or Q320 will easily accomodate 12-15 people if not more (This lens details a full breakdown of the Weber Q barbecues). For parties likely to attract a larger guest list, standard trolly-based gas barbecues will provide more cooking and storage space whilst maintaining the convenience and quick-grilling that gas barbecues are famed for.The Weber Gas BBQ collection stand for innovation, quality and lastability and it's no wonder they are regarded as one of, if not THE best bbq manufacturer in the world and they are proud of the 25 year warranty they offer on all gas barbecues. Prepare to buy your last ever barbecue!

Charcoal Barbecues: Traditionalists will argue that food cooked on a barbecue is not the same without the smokey taste only gained from burning coals - however, be prepared to pay the price if this is your method of choice. Charcoal BBQs require around 30-45 mins to heat the coals sufficiently for even cooking. This process however, can be sped up by chimney starters which will set you back around 10-20GBP. On top of this cost, you will use around 3GBP of charcoal per session.

However, the main drawback to using charcoal as a fuel is the clean up. Charcoal barbecues leave an awful amount of mess with ash mixed in with food juices burnt onto the barbecue surfaces and if this isn't properly cleaned up after each session, your food will not taste as good the next time round and it could lead to an early bbq retirement! Some charcoal barbecues including the Weber One-Touch kettle barbecues have patented cleaning mechanisms that make this process a doddle and lets you get back to the party sooner so bare this in mind when making your barbecue selection.

Electric Barbecues: - Electric barbecues are a reletively new concept that simplifies barbecuing (though some would argue that it takes the fun out of it) by using an electrical element to heat the cooking grates above which in turn cooks the food. Quick to heat up, you just plug it into the nearest power socket and in 5mins you are ready to cook, without the inconvenience of running out of fuel, or a lengthy clean-up afterwards. The obvious drawback is of course that you need electricity nearby. However, this method is ideal for a balcony, or indeed somewhere that prohibits the use of an open flame.

So now you have the food and drink sorted, what about seating arrangements? Obviously if the sun is shining and the party is in full swing people are unlikely to want to sacrifice this to go inside so you will need to consider bringing furniture outside, or better still, buying stylish garden furniture sets that you can enjoy again and again.

Parasols to shield the afternoon sun and outdoor heaters for when things start to cool down at dusk also offer nice little touches to the overall atmosphere and for when the sun has gone down yet party spirits are still high, outside lighting or firepits are a must to make sure the festivities continue. Candle lanterns or tea lights dotted around gives the garden a comforting feel though if windy of wet, could prove frustrating and can be dangerous around those who have enjoyed one too many of your now-famous cocktails! Permanent fixture garden lighting is the alternative, with solar or rechargeable power.

Obviously, the big worry about holding a garden party in Britain is the weather always seems to turn at the least opportune moment and could be the nail in the coffin of your party. Pavilions and Gazebos offer the perfect contingency plan for such events and offer you guests some cover while maintaining the feeling of still being outdoors. Similarly, outdoor patio heaters offer that extra warmth, and encourage your guests to stay out longer. A roaring outdoor fireplace, likewise offer that cosy heat as the sun starts to disappear and really sets the mood as things wind down.