In this article, I’ll explain how I use the power of nostalgia and scent to create the most memorable of backyard parties.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, a birthday party or just want to be officially named the person who throws the best parties, this guide is for you.
– Set the mood
– Make sure you meet your guests’ expectations
– Play music that will bring back fond memories
– Laugh it up!
– Let the kids have fun
– Use the power of scent
– Complete the mood with a scent that accentuates the atmosphere.
– Keep the bugs away!
– Serve food that requires little preparation
– Have fun preparing cocktails and mocktails
– Make sure everyone is comfortable
– If campfires aren’t an option, use wood-wick candles.
– BONUS: My favorite cocktails for summer backyard parties.
The key to creating an unforgettable party on your grounds is to make your guests forget what’s around them, not enhance it. Think back to your favorite gatherings. Do you remember the decorations? I bet you remember the laughter and deep conversations more.
To create that fun, safe and comfortable environment that only the best parties have, you need to focus on the sights, sounds and smells that bring you that sense of well-being. A modern, designer garden lamp won’t do.
The other important element to consider is, of course, your guests. Is it a garden birthday party? Is it a casual gathering? Are you celebrating a special event? Whatever the event, your guests will undoubtedly have an idea of what to expect.
Read on and I’ll explain how to create the emotions that make outdoor parties the most memorable.
What are the images and sounds that remind you of those parties you’ll never forget? Let me guess:
– Music that reminds you of your younger days, but not so loud that you can’t hear the conversation.
– The laughter of a well-told story.
– Children playing, running and laughing with each other, knowing they’re having fun.
If the party is with my girlfriends, a music list including Janis Joplin, The Offspring, 80s-90s Dance is a surefire way to reminisce about the good old days. If we’re with friends and family, my best tip is to find a music list specifically designed for outdoor BBQs or outdoor parties yes yes! You can even specify which musical years you want your ”playlist” in… I love it! These playlists tend to make everyone happy, whatever their age or musical taste.
Have a playlist suggestion for a backyard party? Leave it in the comments below. Inspire us!
Great conversations are a given with the great people in your life. But sometimes, people need a nudge to loosen up and let their crazy side out by telling their wildest stories without judgment. My favorite way to start a conversation is to tell a self-deprecating story about myself, in which some of the party guests will have participated. They won’t hesitate to take over and tell everyone about the embarrassing thing you or your friends did ten years ago
Let the kids know right from the start where it’s safe to play, and what the ground rules are for the evening. Ask your guests to bring a few outdoor games for their children and for the kids.
Children will love discovering the different games that everyone has brought along. A simple Frisbee or soccer ball can be enough to create some great playtime between them.
It’s a safe bet that the guys will go and play with the kids, showing off their competitive spirit and letting off a little steam!
For us, badminton, volleyball or soccer are our favorite choices. No need for nets! Just a little space and off you go! Sometimes, we have so much fun that it’s easy to forget about the meat on the grill!
Now that the kids, youngsters and adults are taken care of, you can sit back and enjoy the company.
Your eyes can see all these people enjoying themselves, your ears can hear the music they love. But what about your nostrils? For my partner, nothing beats the smell of hamburgers cooking on the barbecue.
But for me, I want to add a little something extra.
Aromatherapy is my secret weapon. To find out more about my use of aromatherapy, click here.
I use 4 different fragrances for the different moods I like to set at my parties. You can use these scents with an essential oil diffuser or essential oil candles.
I prefer candles with a wooden wick. Wooden wicks are great. They crackle like a campfire and are pleasant to the touch.
They’re as fascinating as watching the fire while roasting marshmallows.
My favorite fragrance to kick off a summer party is Estival. This scent reminds me of delicious mojitos on the beach. The mint essential oil brings energy and the lime essential oil brightness. This fragrance is a great idea for backyard birthday parties, especially when the cocktails are flowing.
Estival was created for outdoor parties, and I always use it when I want to keep the energy up and the conversations flowing.
This fragrance does exactly what it says. Lavender essential oil is perfect for relaxing the atmosphere and starting deeper conversations. I like to light a Relax lavender essential oil candle during a girls’ night out on the patio.
Relax isn’t limited to lavender; basil essential oil is one of my favorites. It reminds me of the inner peace I feel when I’m gardening, while maintaining energy thanks to its herbaceous scent. Relax also contains rosemary essential oils that round out the fragrance with a pure, natural scent that completes the package.
A tip for your evening: Start the party with one of the Estival candles and switch to the Relax candles at the end of the evening.
Boréale is my favorite evening scent. The balsam fir essential oil smells of the forest and the juniper essential oil is both floral and earthy. It’s such a pleasant scent that you can almost imagine yourself around a campfire.
Neem oil is also very effective at repelling insects, which, unfortunately, will soon arrive as night falls.
The Adventure candle has that scent you want to add around you to repel mosquitoes. Ideally, you should place a few around your home.
Personally, I can’t stand citronella candles. That’s why I wanted a scent that was just as mosquito-deterrent, but not so… lemony…. ?
Adventure uses lemon eucalyptus essential oil instead of citronella. The scent is quite similar, but I find it much more pleasant. To complete the scent, there’s also lavender and geranium essential oil.
The scent of lavender makes everyone feel at ease, and lavender has many properties, including anti-inflammatory and anti-insect.
I’ve attended parties where too many insects put an end to the fun in a matter of minutes.
I’ve mentioned Boréale and Aventure fragrances, which have the same effect as citronella candles. Candles can do a great job of keeping mosquitoes at bay for a while, but let’s be honest, nothing beats a good insect repellent.
If they’re too voracious, go with a herbal mosquito repellent approved by Health Canada for proven effectiveness.
For me, DEET on my child, my partner and my family is simply unacceptable. I much prefer the alternatives, especially lemon eucalyptus oil. This ingredient has been proven to be as effective as DEET, if not more so for ticks.
I swear by this natural ingredient. It works… like a charm!
I always make sure I have some lemon eucalyptus oil-based insect repellent on hand for every occasion.
Wait, enough about insects! We forgot the most important part!
I tend to stress out when it comes to feeding everyone, so I have a hard time sticking to this rule.
But trust me. Your food doesn’t have to look Instagram gorgeous, and you don’t have to be the next MasterChef. If your guests care, hire a caterer!
Let go of your guilt and keep things simple. Chop a few vegetables, make a dip and dressing. Wash salad before guests arrive. Let the men have fun cooking on the barbecue. Veggie burgers and sausages will please everyone.
If it’s in season, I usually buy corn on the cob and cook it on the BBQ with lime juice or boil it in a big pot outside on a propane stove.
And remember, don’t worry about portions. There’s always too much!
I usually tell people to bring their own beverages, but I always like to prepare a few rounds of cocktails to bring out at the right moment as a surprise.
I’ve already mentioned Mojitos, the drink I discovered in Cuba on my first trip when I was 21. Mint and lime blend perfectly with Estival candles. The scent of essential oils makes a striking duo with Mojito, evoking the warm, green summer that makes us all so happy. Incidentally, non-alcoholic Mojitos taste just as good, so I offer them straight away to my guests who prefer a non-alcoholic version.
My favorite drink is gin and tonic. It’s refreshing, lively and woody, just like the forest I love so much. The juniper berry in the gin gives it a spicy, resinous taste that I love.
The Boréale candle is reminiscent of the woody notes, but with a hint of sweetness. It’s a perfect way to say, “Get cozy and start having those deep, meaningful conversations that make your patio party the event par excellence.” Did you know that there are several non-alcoholic gin options made in Quebec? Why not give them a try!
The trick to getting comfortable is to use two things to your advantage: warmth and light.
Night is a powerful ingredient for a garden party. As the light fades, the heat of summer slowly subsides.
So guests need to stay warm and keep eye contact with each other to keep the party lively and lasting.
That’s what’s always made campfires so magical. Fire brings people together, cuts humidity and keeps everyone comfortable.
If you have a plot of land where you can build a campfire, it’s a must. If not, here are a few tips:
When campfires aren’t possible, use wood-wick candles.
I love wood wicks in candles because they crackle like a real campfire. A single wood-wick candle in the middle of a table is a great way to create the ambiance of an outdoor fire without having to worry about it.
When I use my wood-wick candles, I always make sure I have a few hoodies or blankets on hand to warm up guests who may have forgotten what they need. Keep an eye on your friends’ feet too! If they’re wearing sandals or open-toed shoes, offer them some warm socks and don’t worry about the look! If your guests are comfortable, you’ve created a great party.
Well, here we are. Your guests have listened to their favorite music, they’ve enjoyed a party filled with laughter and anecdotes in good company.
They probably won’t remember the food, they might not even notice the smells. And that’s exactly what you want.
Smells are a powerful tool for creating memories. You’ve just used the power of smell to make people remember their favorite moments and build new ones with your super Garden-Party!
As a bonus, here are two beverages for summer gatherings or barbecues.
– Boréal gin and tonic: https://www.monsieur-cocktail.com/blogs/recettes-de-cocktail/gin-tonic-boreal
I love this recipe because it invites you to experiment with garnishes. I love adding juniper berries to my gin and tonic, and a big sprig of garden herbs like thyme is always a plus. I swear by Ungava gin, which contains lots of natural boreal flavors, like Labrador tea!
– Mojito Mocktail: https://alexcuisine.com/recettes/mojito-sans-alcool/
This special party drink is my son’s favorite when he wants to do what the grown-ups do, and he loves fresh mint. I always try to use honey instead of sugar to give it a special touch.
And finally!
– Forget cocktails, just pour the bubbles!
I don’t know about you, but for me, bubbles are always festive and remind me of renewal. If we use it a lot for New Year’s Eve, why not in summer to celebrate the beautiful season!
So, what do you think? Did I miss something? Let me know in the comments section below. I love to hear your comments and ideas.
