This post was sponsored by Upgrade Your Summer as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
It’s BBQ season! Summertime is here and everyone is looking for an excuse to spend more time outside. Throwing a backyard party doesn’t have to be complicated. That is why I’m sharing some tips for keeping things simple and focusing on enjoying a good time with your friends.
I’m also super excited to share with you the Upgrade Your Summer Sweepstakes. You can enter to win a fantastic backyard makeover! Check out my tips and the giveaway below.
Keep things simple
Keeping things simple when you’re hosting friends for an outdoor get-together or BBQ lets you focus on the people and on having a good time. Focus on good food that is simple to prepare and on providing some entertainment from music to fun and simple backyard games.
Get creative
There’s no need to buy new patio furniture. You can use picnic blankets or combine patio furniture with repurposed indoor furniture to provide more seating. Wicker or wooden chairs work well outdoors.
When it comes to decoration use what you have available. Add fresh flowers right from your backyard or use the food as part of your décor. I placed a green salad and a fruit salad in clear glass jars which also made for a colorful tablescape.
Go beyond the grill.
Although I love grilling, cooking everything on the grill is lots of work. Think outside the grill and include main dishes and proteins that are easy and hassle-free to cook and serve.
I am loving SeaPak Budweiser® Beer Battered Shrimp. They’re delicious and easy to make. Battered in Budweiser® Beer, you get amazing oven crunchy shrimp with pub-style taste right at home! The taste is delicious and unique and they’re sure to be a huge hit!
It’s also a great idea to have lots of fresh and light options. I usually have fresh fruit, salad, and Sabra Roasted Red Pepper Hummus. Sabra Roasted Red Pepper Hummus is delicious and convenient. We always have one in the fridge and it’s great for dipping fresh veggies or my favorite: dipping Blue Diamond Almond Nut-Thins! The Blue Diamond Almond Nut-Thins are so crispy and delicious and great to serve with cheese. I love that they taste great and are made with real Blue Diamond almonds and are wheat and gluten free.
My favorite summer drink right now is Canada Dry Ginger Ale and Lemonade. Have you tried it? The combination of ginger ale made from real ginger taste with a splash of real lemon juice is so refreshing, perfect for summer.
I always start by shopping for everything I need for my summer backyard parties and BBQs at Walmart. It’s not only convenient and saves me time and money but I can always find everything I need for summer outdoor entertaining.
Upgrade Your Summer Sweepstakes
When you buy participating brands at Walmart you can enter for a chance to Upgrade Your Summer by entering to win a backyard makeover that includes the Ultimate Outdoor Movie Theater! The Grand Prize Package includes a Samsung 50” smart TV, outdoor TV enclosure, outdoors speakers, a Weber grill, an Ozark cooler and a $100 Walmart gift card as well the chance to win $25,000.
The Upgrade Your Summer Sweepstakes runs from May 1, 2019 – July 22, 2019, so don’t miss out and enter today! You can enter HERE and get more information about the prizes.
No purchase necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not increase your chance of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Must be at least 21+ and a legal resident of the 50 U.S./DC. The Sweepstakes will consist of one (1) random drawing period to award (131) prizes. Sweepstakes begins on 5/1/19 at 12:00:01 a.m. (midnight) ET and ends on 7/22/19 at 11:59:59 p.m. ET. To enter and for Official Rules and other important terms and conditions, visit upgrade-your-summer.com. Sponsor: Fuel Partnerships, Inc., 6111 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite #265, Boca Raton, FL 33487.
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
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Thanks for sharing these tips! So useful. PS. I love these jar salads! They look great 🙂
These are some great tips for getting your outdoor hosting on! I love the ideas for food as well, they seem like they would be absolutely delicious!
We are ALL about hosting BBQs!! In fact, we love it! And we have a pool/hot tub and a putting green and a basketball court and corn hole – so there is always something for people to do!
I have yet to try the gingerale with lemonade yet. I think this would be good addition to cocktails and mocktails this summer.
I love outdoor entertaining! Those shrimp look delicious:)
Great tips. We have friends over soon so I’ll bear these in mind. Thanks!
This looks so tasty! We want to make this for dinner tonight.
Thanks for the amazing tips. One of friend organizing outdoor party soon I am sharing with him. This is going to be big help. Thanks again
You take absolutely beautiful Blog pictures! I need to learn from you! Thanks for the tips!
We are all about outdoor eating in the summer. That contest sounds good too. My sister could use a good backyard makeover. Sending her the link in a text.
The most important thing for having an outdoor party is having food that can be eaten with one hand. Most people don’t have enough seating so that everyone can use a knife.
I love outdoor eating in the summer months, I am sure it makes everything taste better! Love these creative ideas.
I love doing things outdoors. Having friends over and eating food is one of my favorite things to do.
Yes summer month is the month of out door entertaining. Love those beer battered shrimp and drinks, great appetizer.
Looks great and tasty! I think it’s also important to keep the landscape well-maintained and clean. It will help set the mood and make everyone comfortable. 🙂