What do you think when you think of summer?

Long hot days and balmy nights? Well why not put on a summer sensation and cool your guest with these great entertainment tips.

Entertaining in the Australian weather can be a little tricky with unwanted guests like flies by day and mosquitoes by night; keep these uninvited guests out of your party by simply placing a few citronella bamboo poles or candles strategically around your entertainment area.

Casual entertaining is the perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors during summer. Set up for your guests plenty of shade; this can be achieved with a few shade umbrellas, an undercover entertaining deck or some shade cloth will keep your guests cool and happy.

Serve fresh cold starters; like Carpaccio, bruschetta with smoke salmon and dill or an antipasto platter this is a great way for guests to enjoy a few light delights while the main course is cooking.

You can turn even the simplest BBQ menu into a culinary delight. The main event can be a feast of fresh barbequed seafood or succulent meat, with so many cooking shows and books the choices of marinades and accompanying side dishes is endless.

Take some inspiration from the Australian summer for decorating tips; keep it simple with light materials and bright coloured home wares. A great way to beat the summer heat is to make sure you have an esky always nearby, full of ice and all of your guest’s favourite drinks.

On the topic of drinks. When you need to leave your drink, make sure you always know which one is yours, wether you decide to have labels for everyone or coloured stickers or straws. Another problem with drinks is the flies and bugs. So to stop from getting a nasty surprise in your drink, when you’re not using it make sure it’s covered. Why not show your guests your creative side by designing homemade muslin coasters that can double as drink covers. Decorate these to suite your theme a great way is with something beads or just beads, because no one wants to swallow a fly.

Why not serve these cocktails to your guests as they arrive to cool them down from the summer heat and get them into the party mood.

•         1 L orange juice

•         1 cinnamon stick

•         Rind of 1 lemon

•         2 bottles of sherry

•         600ml pineapple juice

•         1 bottle of sparkling white wine

•         1.25 bottle soda water

•         Sliced oranges, strawberries, lemons and fresh mint, to decorate

Combine sherry, the remaining 750ml orange juice and the pineapple juice.

Add the cinnamon mixture, stir and chill for several hours or overnight.

Just before serving, pour punch into chilled punch bowl, add the bottle of sparkling white wine and of soda water.