Take a drive through your town this weekend and you will most likely see a number of driveways and streets packed with parked cars. I know I certainly saw a lot of this last weekend, what with the Independence Day festivities that seemed to be happening all over the place. Having gone to three parties myself during this holiday period, there are distinct similarities between all good parties that act as cornerstones to excellent gatherings amongst families and friends. Here are some ideas for you to use during your next party or gathering:

Outdoor Décor – Although décor may not seem like the biggest part of your party, I would argue that it has a huge effect on the mood and attitude that your home brings out in people. This goes for everything from the plates you use to the decorations strewn amongst your garden and/or landscaping. You may even want to consider changing up your home’s weathervane to represent more of a summer feel to it. This is a good idea for other seasons as well.

Plants – Obviously your landscaping and garden are going to look majorly different depending on when you have a party, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t plan for specific looks in the summertime. Summer time is a happy time, so brighter colored flowers are a great idea. If you’re having a BBQ, use veggies from your garden as an element of the summer as well. Grill up some tomatoes, squash and other fruits of your greenthumbing labor.

The Right Spot – We’ve all been to too many parties with not enough room for guests. How annoying is that? Make sure that your summer gathering is being held on a deck or patio that is big enough for everyone to relax and socialize comfortably. You will also want to keep your deck area as low maintenance as possible in terms of spills and dropped food.