It’s always such a shame when your outdoor party has to end early because the evening has crept in, and the daylight is slowly fading.
 
Here are a few outdoor lighting ideas that will allow you hours more fun in your garden, even after twilight arrives. 
 
Solar lights: These eco-friendly models contain solar panels (either on top or inside) that gather energy during the day and automatically turn the fixtures on as darkness falls. Bear in mind, that solar lights last about four hours at a time, so it’s possible that they will start to fade before the party does. To give them more lasting power, place the lights in the sunniest location you can find for at least a few hours during the day. Be sure to clean the solar panels regularly with a barely damp cloth.
 
Electric lights: Use an outdoor lamp to brighten up your garden party. These options can withstand rain and sweltering summer heat. When stringing up lights, use plastic hooks. Metal nails and staples can puncture the wires. Look for a label on the box that says the lights were rigorously tested for outdoor safety. To hide cords, duct-tape them to the ground and cover with an outdoor rug, or tuck them under bushy garden plants. 
 
Candles: Candles can be used just about anywhere, but keep safety in mind. When hanging candles from trees, place them in deep containers so that the wicks are a few inches lower than the rims; this will prevent sparks and flames from blowing out. The handles of the containers should be made of wire and be long enough to keep flames about 12 inches away from leaves and branches.
 
Battery-powered lights: You’ll get the ambience of candles without worrying about gusts of wind or dripping wax. Many lights come with alkaline, lithium, nickel cadmium (NiCD), or nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, which you can recharge many times. NiCD- and NiMH-powered lights need to be charged overnight before use, whereas alkaline and lithium batteries don’t require preparation. Make sure to bring the lights inside at the end of the party, as batteries can leak and short if they get wet.
 
Image via Pinterest.

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