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Summer's the season that inspires celebrations with family and friends. The warm weather brings many options for outdoor grilling and dining, while longer days mean parties can extend from the afternoon well into the evening. When your goal is for everyone to enjoy themselves, don’t let the stress of getting everything together stand in the way of hosting an unforgettable summer party.
Whether it’s the wind that’s worrisome when party day rolls around or the thought of mixing up burger orders that distracts you, you'll find that lining up a few strategic party hacks will help to keep things simple. No need to stress over expenses either. From DIY garbage cans to homemade bottle openers, you can eliminate a run to the store and save on essentials that make a party both practical and fun. Take time to review some of the best summer party hacks that cover everything from mood lighting and cup labels to creative ideas for displaying chips and dip.
Wall mounted bottle opener with pallet wood
There’s no reason to let those lingering pallets in the backyard go to waste. Break them up into smaller pieces for just the right amount of material to create a DIY bottle opener for your summer parties. You'll keep your friends well-hydrated and won't have to worry about losing handheld openers. Get the full tutorial here.
Chic drink and utensils station for your next party
What’s a barbecue without a bevy of ice-cold beverages? This drink station delivers perfectly chilled cans of cola or sparkling water, along with any utensil or extra supplies your guests desire. Best of all, you don’t have to be a skilled metalsmith to make one of your own. Get the full tutorial here.
Chips and dip hack
The best way to keep a summer party table creative, goody-filled and budget-friendly is to combine products you already have at home. A wine glass makes an elegant and practical container for chip dip. Set a wine glass with a long stem in the center of a big bowl and fill it with chips. You can then spoon dip into the glass for an easy-to-access snack that adds an upscale touch to the party table.
Use mustard or ketchup to spell out burger preferences
Being in charge of the grill at a summer party is a big responsibility for even the most seasoned grill expert. Keeping your guests' cooking preferences can be a challenge. Instead of trying to remember it all, turn to the condiments to keep your grilling organized. Ketchup and mustard bring the flavor but are also a simple way to mark each patty with its doneness factor. Consider writing an “R” in ketchup on those patties cooked rare and “W” with mustard for those that are well-done.
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