Why spend summer alone, when you can share the glorious weather with your friends and family. The sun is only here for a short time, as you will know if you live in the UK, so it makes sense to make the most of the heat while you have it. It’s time for a summer social, and we have three ideas that may make your home the social hub of the summer calendar.

There’s nothing better than dining outside in the fresh air, and you can add your own distinct recipes and flavours to the meals you provide to really give your guests a meal to remember. Now, a classic summer staple is the traditional barbecue, but you could provide a buffet instead, or ask friends to bring along their own dishes to add further variety to the meal. You might also theme the meal, perhaps around a cultural theme, asking your guests to wear suitable attire to really get into the spirit of things. Tex-Mex anyone? Remember the weather, of course. Especially if you live in the UK, you never know when the rain will hit, even if it’s only for a short period. So perhaps now is the right time to install that conservatory you have been thinking about - consider these conservatories by Visual - or add a summer house, to continue your social soiree if things take a turn for the worse. Alternatively, hire a marquee for your garden, that handy refuge where you can continue to entertain your guests, without your social soiree becoming a damp squib.

Channel everybody’s competitive spirit with a range of game ideas that could be played in the garden. These could be games of your own making, fresh from your imagination, or you could purchase some giant garden games, such as Jenga or Snakes and Ladders if your inspiration is running low. Consider sports equipment too, perhaps buying a football and nets to keep with football season, as well as splash guns and water balloons for giant team battles, to keep you all cooled down in the hot weather. You might even have an awards ceremony at the end of the day, where the winner gets a prize (such as a trophy), and where the loser has to clean up the mess that is now littering your usually tidy garden. It will save you some work anyway, but let’s hope they won’t be too sore about it.

By setting up a screen and projector in your garden, you can all kick back to watch some of the latest movie releases under the warm night sky. You will need enough chairs, of course, or cushions and blankets if they are an easier alternative. You will also need the requisite supplies of drinks, popcorn, and ice creams, perhaps with an impromptu concession stand during the interval where you can serve your invited guests. Ensure you check with your neighbours, however, or invite them along, as you don’t want to be the subject of any noise complaints, especially if you make an explosive choice for the movie.