Alfresco Dining: Create a Picnic Under the Stars

Embrace the beauty of the summer and enjoy a picnic under the stars surrounded by nature, with wild flowers and butterflies fluttering in the gentle summer breeze. A storybook summer is waiting to be explored: toadstools line enchanted pathways leading to secret gardens and hidden worlds, all alive with after-dark glow and teeming with twinkling flora and fauna. Read on to discover how to create the perfect evening picnic ambience as you enjoy time spent with loved ones and transform moments into memories this summer.

The first step in creating a dreamy summer picnic is by making it as comfortable and cosy as possible so you can fully relax and marvel in the wonder and enchantment around you. Lay your picnic blanket on a flat garden surface and gather plenty of cosy cushions and blankets to rest on, making your midsummer haven as snug as it could possibly be. Begin to style black garden lanterns and an abundance of outdoor TruGlow® candles along the edge of your seating area, dotting the smaller candles amongst the blankets and cushions for a twinkly warm glow that’ll complement the night sky.

For an extra magical feel, extend the cosiness of your picnic beyond your blanket and transform the corner of your garden into the ultimate twilight haven with the soft warm white glow of vintage style festoon lights. Simply line a collection of shepherd's hook festoon poles around your alfresco hideaway and swag the lights between each pole, to create an intimate atmosphere that’ll uplift your cosy corner as dusk falls. Choose from solar festoon lights, mains powered or battery powered options, and select a gentle lighting effect for a simple way to transform the bottom of your garden into the perfect evening retreat.

Finally, welcome the magic to your picnic with finishing touches of illuminated nature. Embrace the fairycore enchantment by adding mushroom and daisy solar stake lights to your plant pots and flowerbeds and watch as they’re brought to life when the sun sets each evening. Extend the glow through to garden wildlife too with bee, dragonfly and butterfly lights. Weave them amongst your shrubbery and trees for a whimsical fairytale feeling that lasts throughout the night.