Our Guide to Hosting in Summer
By Sophie Lindley - 13th July 2026
Summer is officially upon us, and with its long, hot days, and balmy sun-soaked evenings brings exciting opportunities to gather your favourite people. Whether you're planning a backyard brunch in the sun or an alfresco dinner party under the stars, entertaining in style is all in the details. From fun, citrus-themed lifestyle pieces to carefully-crafted kitchenware, we have everything you need to set a spectacular scene this summer. Simply follow our tips, explore our recommendations, and gather your nearest and dearest for a fun summer bash that'll get people talking.
What tableware could I use for a summer dinner party?
When it comes to hosting a summer bash that feels effortlessly chic and thoughtful, never underestimate the power of your table setting. While music, food, weather, and guest choice is important, curating a specific alfresco dinner party vibe will always fall down to the tableware. Move flimsy paper plates and plastic tablecloths to one side and bring out your best plates, bowls, cutlery and glassware to truly make your tablescape shine. After all, you want to make an impression on your guests before they've even sat down.
If you're starting afresh with your tableware and have budget set aside for one or two key pieces, why not aim big and select a piece to grace the very centre of your table? Our Personalised Round Olive Wood Pizza Board is ideal for elevating a table but also scores function points too. Whether used for pizza, a charcuterie, a cheeseboard, or to hold table decorations like flowers or candles, this beautiful board will elevate your dinner party table effortlessly, and even comes with the option to personalise to make it even more ‘you’. Our customers adore it too, with our favourite review saying: ‘Excellent addition to our kitchen and [a] birthday present in one!’ - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Some of our favourite tableware pieces for a summer dinner party include:
- A pretty tablecloth
- A sleek knife set
- A large salad bowl
- Serving boards
- Fun plates & bowls
- A cute cutlery set
- Salt & pepper shakers
- Condiment decanters
- Fancy glassware
- Stylish coasters
- Serving spoons
- Pretty napkins
What food and drink works for a summer party?
An unforgettable summer party thrives on social connection and a good flow of conversation. Nothing breaks the ice with guests more than an interactive food and drink menu, designed with guest connection in mind. While multi-course meals tend to be popular, the creation of a relaxed, sun-soaked atmosphere typically revolves around communal eating rituals such as barbecues, buffets, and sharing platters. Not only do these types of menus take less pressure off you as the host, they can also be fun to arrange, fun for guests to peruse, and much easier for people to choose exactly what they want on their plate. Another great aspect of a charcuterie or buffet is that you get to have fun styling it. Peruse Pinterest and search for stylish ways to curate different meats, crudites, and light bites on your wooden board, and you'll have the ultimate picture-worthy buffet.
When it comes to drinks, most options lend well to social situations. People enjoy congregating around a bar or drinks station, so adding a bit of theatre into your offering is a great way to get people mingling before they've even taken their seats. There's a reason cocktails are popular in summer, and it's largely down to the fact they're cold, refreshing, and juicy, packed with ice and fun flavours. Focus on citrus-themed cocktails and botanical spirits like gin and flavoured vodka, and you or your guests could have fun with curating your own cocktails, too. For drink options, glassware and presentation can be just as important as it is with food. Choose fun glasses relevant to each cocktail, set up an interactive station with shakers, mixers, and garnishes, or hand round cocktail menus or recipes to really get the party started. Our Cocktail Recipe Desktop Flip Chart is a fun, affordable piece for popping on the table to get guests in the mood to create. Our customers love it too, with some saying: ‘Great book and easy to read and create at the same time.’ - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
How can I decorate my house for a summer party?
Nothing says fun summer hosting vibes like a home that mirrors the vibrant energy of the season. If you're looking for ways to instantly elevate your space for incoming guests, try to lean into the ‘high summer’ aesthetic by mixing bold, colour-pop accessories with playful, beach-themed décor. This year is all about Amalfi Coast creations, with bright blues, splashes of red, and bursts of yellow peppering homeware ranges. Add in some fun, fishy emblems, shoreline details like shells and corals, and complete the look with zesty fruits like lemons and oranges, and you've created a heatwave-ready colour palette that's bound to impress.
A great way to immediately update a room on a budget is by grabbing a gorgeous, colourful print and letting it stand out in your space. This SimplyExtraJordanary Dolce Vita Italian A3 Print is perfect for the season, with a fun selection of summer dinner table emblems like seafood, tomatoes, wine and grapes - ideal for reflecting the magic of your occasion. For more food or fruit-themed pieces, consider cute coasters like this Set of 4 Hotel Angel Coasters to effortlessly elevate the table and tie in some foodie themes. Or for other areas of the house that could do with a pop of colour, this Yellow Gingham La Dolce Vita Tomato Round Travel Jewellery Case is a sweet, playful addition. Whether popped on a sideboard for a dose of colourful fun or gifted to dinner party guests as a cute token, this case has summer fun written all over it.
A classic way to upgrade a space for a season is with a beautiful bunch of flowers. Whether you choose fresh summer stems like sunflowers or peonies, or you opt for a sustainable and long-lasting bouquet of dried florals, adding blooms to a room is a great way to play with colourful elements. This Golden Sundaze Dried Flower Posy is a great piece for instant summer colour. Simply pop the stems into your favourite vase and add it to your dinner party table as a centrepiece and you've immediately upgraded the space.
How can I create fun at a summer dinner party?
It's important to remember that a huge budget isn't always required for creating unforgettable memories at a summer dinner party. Some of the most memorable evenings or occasions usually cost next-to-nothing and focus entirely on connection and laughter. By getting creative with low-cost ice-breaker activities for your guests - whether they know each other well or they've never met before - you can instantly elevate the atmosphere and get conversation flowing. Some of our favourite ideas for creating fun and talking points at a summer party include:
- Add a bottle of wine or premade cocktail to the table. We love this: 1L Edmunds Cocktails Mai Tai
- Make cocktails with a table full of drinks, glasses, and garnishes
- Involve a craft like a sip and paint or a dried flower collage
- Add board games or drinking games to the table
- Sit people next to those they don't know as well
- Have conversation cue cards to hand around
- Write and read out a funny speech
- Create a fun, themed playlist
Whatever fun you choose to weave into your day, ensure your dinner party is one to remember by keeping vibes light, playful, and easy. Life can be tough for many people, and ensuring we keep valuable connections to friends and loved ones during harder times can be as simple as hosting an event without an actual occasion. Get people to dress up, bring a dish or drink, come with an open mind, and bask in the afternoon or evening sun and you'll soon have a summer to talk about for many years to come.
For more summer inspo, explore our New In edit, and find gifting or lifestyle pieces worth adding to basket for truly valuable extra doses of joy.
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