Summer is here, which means it’s time to finally throw that garden party you’ve always been thinking of and creating mood boards for. They’re festive ways to enjoy the warm weather and spend time with friends and family in the great outdoors of your backyard. So pick a date, invite your loved ones, and get prepared to wow your guests with your comfy outdoor furniture and thoughtful outdoor accessories.

Dress Up Your Deck

Every great party features some great decorations, and outdoor garden parties are no exception! Try picking one central theme or color scheme. That way you can focus your yard decorations and DIY projects without becoming overloaded or creating an overwhelming mess of decor. One project you can focus on is creating a strong center piece. You can use traditional flowers in a vase or float some larger blooms in a bowl of water. Or “branch” out and try more uncommon plants, like succulents or herbs. If you want to shake things up, make an edible centerpiece with vegetables or fruit in unique vases or other containers.

Table cloths can be surprisingly expensive and a pain to clean. Use a brown paper in place of a cloth, or wrapping paper as a runner, for a less expensive alternative and easy clean up. As for the table settings themselves, play around with your options. Sticking to your theme and spending time creating an interesting look will elevate your table. If you are going the disposable route, pick plates with fun patterns and colors; it definitely seems more elegant than your average styrofoam plate.

Fresh Refreshments

Food is likely everyone’s favorite part of a garden party, or any party for that matter. When planning a menu, consider making one or two big dishes that you can center on. It’s better to have a few great dishes than a lot of okay ones, and your kitchen or grill won’t get too hectic. Try breaking out of the burger mold and grill a pizza, like this one topped with prosciutto, fig, and goat cheese .

Make sure you also have the ability to keep your hot food hot, and your cold food cold. Stock up on ice, coolers, and insulated containers so you don’t serve your guests lukewarm anything. As for drinks, consider making a specialty cocktail or juice. It will move your party away from a normal night on the patio, and your guests are sure to appreciate the special treatment and novelty.

Location, Location, Location

Make sure your backyard is prepared for guests! This may seem like a no-brainer, but you don’t want your guests racing each other for the few chairs you have so they don’t end up being the one standing and eating. Verify you have the appropriate patio furniture or backyard seating, including a patio set with enough chairs for your guests or extra outdoor chairs, such as Adirondack chairs that you can pull together. Don’t be afraid to update or add to your garden furniture; it’s always useful to keep around for future guests and future parties. You may also want to get a rug to tie your outdoor pieces together and create the feel of a more put together space.

With summer also comes a dreaded guest: mosquitos. Set out the bug spray or find less sticky alternatives to avoiding the pest. Certain herbs like catnip, lavender, sage, and citronella repel mosquitos and other bugs. You can keep them in pots or make small sachets containing these herbs to place around your outdoor entertainment area to keep the bugs at bay. Or you could stick with a few classic citronella candles.

You may think that lighting from inside or attached to your home is enough, but it may not be. Run out and grab some string lights or lanterns to create a well lit party that can go into the night without people straining to see each other. It also ends up setting the mood and creates a warm and lovely atmosphere.

So set a theme, pick a night, and show your friends your entertainment prowess.