Get the party started with pieces that are bright but practical. Acrylic barware and melamine pieces make for worry-free outdoor fun or kid-friendly dining. Look for picnic plates, condiment servers and huge drink dispensers that add personality while letting everyone help themselves. Details that tie your outside celebration all together: Happy placemats and a ginormous outdoor tray.

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Pillows and cushions make any outdoor setting more inviting. No matter what look you go with, you’ll want fabrics that have been treated to be weather- and fade-resistant. And when you need extra seating at parties, the answer might be cozy chairs that are still light and easy to move from place to place, then stackable for easy storage.

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There’s a time and place for the bucket candle—don’t get us wrong—but there are so many more possibilities for your party. Lanterns in any size, hanging lanterns in every color, floating LED candles, tabletop oil burners—not to mention torches and solar-powered garden stakes to light walkways. Really, it’s easier than ever to find what’s right for your space, along with the citronella-scented candle that’s almost a requirement at summer parties.

Yeah, we got a light >

This is why everyone likes to be invited to your place: You think of everything. So whether or not you have a way with plants, you can have a lush look with oversized planters or a collection of small herb pots. You can add colorfast flags or brilliant metal figures. Wind chimes with art glass accents, a big umbrella for shade—along with umbrella jewelry—these are things that instantly spark a party conversation and keep the vibe light and fun all summer long.

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