Give me a free summer weekend, and I’ll plan a barbecue celebration. Whether we invite friends over for happy hour drinks on the deck or another family for a cookout, it’s the easiest time to gather with friends and entertain.
Here’s a list of items to stock up on now so that you can celebrate summer BBQs all summer long.
5 entertaining essentials for your summer BBQs
Summer Beverages
When you’re hosting a get-together, it’s easiest to have a signature drink made in advance so that you don’t have to continue remaking the drinks. Pre-make a few pitchers of margaritas, like my friend Jennifer’s Classic Margarita recipe or her Strawberry Basil version, Jo-Lynne’s White Sangria. Or try one of my favorites, which include Lemon Raspberry Swirl or a Grey Goose Lily. If you’d rather not pre-make the drinks, print out instructions and frame them in a small picture frame, placing the ingredients and glasses with the frame on a small bar table or cart.
Fun and Games
Ready for a little competitive play? The Portable Badminton Set pops up anywhere for instant gaming. When just entertaining adults, sit down to play everyone’s favorite Cards Against Humanity or a good game of friendly poker.
Mosquito Repellent Lanterns
We received ThermaCell’s camp lantern as a sample this summer. It’s an aesthetically pleasing repellent that keeps mosquitoes, black flies, and other biting pests at bay, clearing a 15×15 foot area in just minutes. I love this as its dual purpose: a light and a repellent. And, keeping it on my deck, there’s no need to spray on the stinky bug spray. Dropping in 2 batteries and the repellent pad at the top of the lantern will be heated to evenly and effectively vaporize and disseminate a repellent in the air that biting bugs HATE!
Portable Grill
Hosting a party in a public space? BioLite Portable Grill provides a portable, safe and fun way to cook anyone’s favorite foods without the need for charcoal or propane.
Fire Pit
An outdoor evening isn’t complete without a fire pit to gather around as the night grows cold.
More great summer entertaining ideas
Looking for more great ideas? Follow my Pinterest Entertaining board.