Idle porch becomes party place

When we walk through neighborhoods on an evening, surveying the houses - with envy - we’re struck by those with porches. But they’re empty.

The end of the porch-socializing era has been long lamented. But we say, stop whining and head out there. The cute, homey Porch Parties (Chronicle, $16.95), by Denise Gee, will help. We’ve collected some of Gee’s best ideas (and a few of our own) here:

Ambience: Leave off that too-bright overhead light. String lights around the porch edges; light votives. Use luminaria, but in white bags instead of traditional brown. Add music; get your tech-savvy teen to set up an MP3 playlist. Dress up the floor with outdoor rugs; or keep the surface freshlypainted (a green-and-cream checkerboard pattern is great, Gee says). For seating, porch swings and rockers conjure the right note, but go bigger if you can with a swinging daybed. Add traditional chairs in modern resin wicker. Make sure to have plenty of side tables tohold a drink or nibbles.

Serving: Keep it simple, which means buffet. Set your table out of traffic flow, and as near the kitchen as possible. Separate food from drinks, or you’ll have a jam. Avoid flatlining, Gee says. That is, elevate some elements for interest. Clean, upside-down terra cotta pots make outdoorsy pedestals. Keep dips up front and down low - “to keep the spinach dip out of the brownies” - and easier-to-manage items in back with tongs. It’s just a porch, we know, but dress it up. Forget the plastic and paper; use real plates, cups and glasses, but in bright colors or patterns.

Eats: Do your plate-andglass-juggling porch-sitters a favor: finger foods. Whateveryou-want-on-it crostini; mini ham-and-cheese or smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches; deviled eggs? - of course, but topped with crumbled crispy bacon.

Drinks: Punch is makeahead-simple, and delicious, if you avoid the too-sweet pitfall. Think ades - as in lemon, lime or ginger-lemon (the classic spiked with ginger syrup) - sloshed with vodka. Or a sparkling wine-topped melon agua fresca (puree honeydew or watermelon; flavor with lime juice and sugar; bubble in inexpensive sparkler, such as cava).