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Summer party: Hit the Beach

Create a little tropical paradise at your next party by bringing the seaside to your own garden or terrace. All you need is a little imagination, a few props and that old Beach Boys CD lurking at the bottom of the rack, and you're ready for your own surfin' safari

The concept
The decorations
The menu
The recipes

The concept: Hit the beach
Who says you need to be by the shore to enjoy sand, fruity drinks and catchy surf tunes? One of the best things about throwing an urban beach party is the mood is seriously casual. That means everyone wears comfortable surfwear, slips off their shoes and kicks back with a drink. Do away with knives and forks and make the nibbles finger-friendly. (All of the food on our menu can be made in advance and served cold.) Make sure your guests get into the spirit by wearing Hawaiian shirts and sarongs, and give a prize for the best beach-inspired outfit.

The decorations
Think Hawaii Five-O meets childhood holiday.

Sand: Start with the obvious: sand, of course. Builders' merchants sell sand of all sorts - the one you want is sand-box sand, the kind used in children's play areas. It's ground very finely with all the small, sharp bits removed. A bag or two should be plenty. Spread it around the patio area and place chairs and small tables around so guests can kick off their shoes and scrunch their toes in it. It feels luscious and sexy on bare feet and is easy to brush away for trips in to the house. (When the party's over, spread it across the lawn or work it into damp areas for better drainage.)

Sea: If you have a palm house plant, drag it outdoors. Smaller ones are cheap and available at garden centres and bigger DIY stores and would make a nice centrepiece. It's not very eco-friendly to take sea shells from the beach but you may have some old souvenirs brought back from holidays in warmer climes. Place them on serving trays or randomly on side tables. Aquatic fish shops could also be a good hunting ground for sea-themed items.

Take a trip to the high street to places like Pier One, Woolworth's and the bargain 'Everything for a Pound' shops to hunt for blow-up plastic beach balls, buckets and spades, even a children's paddling pool for anyone who wants to get their feet wet. Charity shops may also be a haven for beachy treasures.

Serving: This time of year it's easy to find brightly coloured wine glasses in unbreakable plastics, along with plates and napkins. Mix up the colours instead of buying matching sets. If you're lucky you may be able to find those re-useable ice cubes, the kind you freeze and plop into drinks, in fish or star shapes.

If seaside cocktails are on the menu you can find the little 'Del Boy' drinks umbrellas at party shops or specialist cook shops. For a more casual approach to refreshments, fill a large tub, or better yet, one of those American ice chests with ice and bury bottles of crisp Spanish or Mexican lager in it with the tops sticking out. Tie the opener to a string and attach to the handle.

You've set the scene. So put on your surf music, put out trays of these easy-to-eat nibbles and start shaking your cocktails.

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