If you haven’t secured tickets for Centre Court, simply want to squeeze in some Wimbledon watching with friends between school runs, or are looking to have a summer party in style, then why not recreate the Wimbledon experience at home? Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final TV viewing figures have peaked at a whopping 13.3 million viewers and Ladies’ Singles Final audience peaked at 4.8m, so it is certian you won’t be alone.
Watching Wimbledon on TV needn’t leave you shouting at the screen on your lonesome, scaring your neighbours, and feeling like you’re missing out on the highlight of the season. Recreate Wimbledon at home and Wimbledon 2017 will be the year that you’re the champion. If you want to do it in true Wimbledon style, then read on.
Game… On
Check out the Wimbledon match scheduling, and start thinking about your guests. You may not be able to line up a royal or famous face, but send out your invitations on plush white card with the Wimbledon colours of purple and green, and your chosen guests will feel like royalty. If you really want to get in the Wimbledon mood, set a dress code of tennis whites.
Set
Set the stage. If early July is proving to be more flaming than flopping, then your natural arena for the event is your very own grass lawn. Pop down a few deckchairs and picnic rugs and you’ll be able to recreate Henman Hill in no time. A few judiciously placed tennis rackets, the infamous yellow balls, and even your little one’s Swingball pole, will all add to the occasion. White, green and purple balloons will splash in some truly Wimbledon ambience, as will the odd Union Jack flag. You could even lay your food tables with artificial grass. If you want to push the boat out, then vintage of jugs of summer cottage-garden flowers also help to set the stage.
Match
When it comes to catering, the Wimbledon theme is easy as a summer Sunday with a glass of Pimm’s in hand. Did you know that Wimbledon is the largest single sports catering operation in Europe?! Each year they get through a staggering 320,000 glasses of Pimm’s, 29,000 bottles of champers, and a berry-busting 28,000kg of strawberries[1]!
We’re sure you’re not going to need to cater quite on that scale, but there are some key elements to copy: Strawberries and cream is essential, bulk it up with scones if you must, and wash it all down with refreshing Pimm’s, ice cold beer, or a glass of fizz. If you’re wanting something more substantial, pizza and fish and chips are also firm Wimbledon favourites, believe it or not.
If Rain Stops Play
It wouldn’t be a true English summer without a brolly or two, so make sure you’ve got some annoyingly large golf umbrellas and gazebos on hand and all will be well. Don’t let your Wimbledon recreation be a washout, and get going on some additional entertainment. If you didn’t know how many strawberries are eaten at Wimbledon, the longest match or final set, or whether Henman Hill has really been renamed Murray Mount, then neither will your guests. Create a fact-filling myth-busting quiz, and keep them entertained until the ball boys and girls are sent to move the covers back. Make sure you have a Wimbledon-worthy trophy for the winner.
Wimbledon Fever
Wimbledon takes over our screens and our hearts from Monday 3rd July until Sunday 16th July this year. Make this the year, watching it on the telly more of an event than the Centre Court finals themselves. Your guests will thank you for sparing them the astronomical price tags, and everyone can enter in to the Wimbledon spirit together. Game, set and match.
[1] http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/atoz/faq_and_facts_and_figures.html
