Summer is the perfect time to organise a catch-up with close friends or those you’ve meant to reconnect with. The warmer, longer days are well-suited to sitting and reminiscing outside late into the evening.
If you’re considering meeting up with friends this summer and wondering what to do, keep reading for our top tips.
Choosing the Perfect Venue
Selecting the right location will make or break your get-together. For friends groups that live in different parts of the country, choose a middle point that everyone can access relatively easily via public transport and driving.
Whether you choose your back garden, a local green space, or a restaurant, ensure it has the space to fit all your friends comfortably. Amenities like parking, bathrooms, supportive seating, shade, and overhead protection for sudden downpours will make the get-together much easier.
Curating Engaging Activities
Adding fun elements to your get-together will build up anticipation. If your friends are racket sports enthusiasts, book a court for a padel, pickleball, or tennis match in the sun. Fans of the beautiful game will enjoy a match at the local park, while those who prefer basketball can shoot some hoops.
Incorporating interactive games and activities like bowls and themed quizzes can cater to your friends’ interests and prevent anyone from feeling left out. A free bingo session can be a great way to keep the group entertained and test their luck.
Planning a Delightful Menu
You could organise a posh picnic where everyone contributes a home-cooked dish from their favourite cuisine. Set a dress code of sundresses and summer suits, and pack the food in a wicker hamper before tucking in. Alternatively, you could order food delivery from a highly rated restaurant to a public space and enjoy it outdoors.
There are plenty of cool, refreshing drinks you can make to keep everyone hydrated in the summer heat. Cucumber lime tonic is easy to prepare: only a cucumber, lime juice, sugar, tonic water, and ice are needed. Diet and sugar-free soft drinks are another great option to have on hand in an icebox.
Creating an Inviting Atmosphere
Hosting the get-together at home or in a hired venue will give you more control over the setting. In your back garden, you can arrange the night around an outdoor table under a pergola for shade and warm path lights to keep the conversation flowing after the sun sets. Friends with an ear for music could play the guitar or create a shared playlist for the day.
There’s always the risk of rain during the British summer, so if you don’t already have a sheltered area in your garden, consider erecting a parasol over your outdoor table. Dipping in the pool or hot tub (if you’re lucky enough to have one) can be a great way of keeping cool when the sun is beating down.
