These simple tips will ensure your backyard fete is a hit.

1. Have a theme. 
A theme is an easy way to get guests in a party, festive mood. Since we're celebrating 150 years of Canadian Confederation this year, "red and white" makes a fun theme everyone can get excited about. Ask your guests to play along with red and white bathing suits, towels and accessories. You can decorate your outdoor sitting area in style: ground lighting with red bulbs, table accessories—tablecloths, plates and glasses—in both colours, vases with red and white flowers, etc. Serve themed cocktails—a cosmopolitan, cranberry juice and vodka in the shaker, or a Maple Collins, with a Canadian whisky base—and desserts with strawberries and meringue!

2. Create a welcoming atmosphere.
Thematic or not, your poolside sitting area should be a hospitable place, with a relaxed and welcoming environment. You can create a space in your own style, that's comfortable, practical and attractive, by finding patio furniture and accessories at pool retailers. Chez Parco Pool and Spas, for example, offers three main styles: Urban, Exotic and Nautical, that are represented by various collections, like the Loft collection with aluminum construction and opaque black tempered glass tabletops (including the Loft 7-piece dining set, whose extendable table will adjust to accommodate your guests). The Saigon collection is made with lovely and very trendy rattan, and includes a coffee or dining table, sofa and armchairs, and a cushioned bench. 

Your poolside sitting area will be so welcoming with the right furniture and will become an outdoor "room" of your home: furniture, kitchen, bar, umbrella, swing, gazebo, lighting system, etc.: plenty of features that will contribute to the comfort and safety of both kids and adults.

3. Maintain your pool.
There's nothing less inviting than a neglected pool! Specialists in pool maintenance can help you by offering advice for the best practices and products to take care of your pool. Don't hesitate to get in touch with them: Chez Parco Pool and Spas, a retailer within the SIMA network, has specialists who can offer you the tools and advice for using a filter, a pump, safely cleaning your skimmer, or connecting your automatic cleaner in the best way, etc.