Entertaining outdoors on a summer evening in the twilight hours, chances are the setting is already charmingly atmospheric. But new lighting options can give your surroundings extra magic.

"Mood lighting is incredibly important in setting the tone of any evening gathering," Jennifer Sypeck, director of product trend at Smith & Hawken, said. "Replace bright flood lights with the glimmer and twinkle of a mix of lighting elements to create the perfect atmosphere."

Specific lighting tips:

- Outline a garden path with new solar lights. They are not only shiny-stylish, but also environmentally friendly.

- Create a soft sparkle by draping string lights around trellises, arbors, umbrellas, trees and garden structures.

- Design flickering focal points around your entertaining space with small groupings of lanterns, oil lamps, wrought-iron candle holders or torchieres.

- Light up a central table with a glowing candlelight centerpiece. Group pillar candles on small saucers, or float candles in a shallow bowl of water.