Summer dinners outdoors become Midsummer Night’s Dream–y (or maybe Teahouse of the August Moon–y?) with a little help from strings of hanging lanterns. Votive candles in jelly jars are all you need to set the mood at the table.

Create cozy seating areas with indoor and outdoor furniture. Encourage guests to roam — and make space around the table — by setting up a separate drink-and-dessert station. Covering the table with an easy-to-assemble pop-up canopy provides protection from a sudden shower and lets you extend the party beyond the edges of the patio.

Arm the kids with nets and jars for catching fireflies; for the bugs you don’t want to collect, be sure to have bug repellent (with less than 30 percent DEET) handy.