Tips for a Fabulous Summer Gathering

This post was sponsored by Upgrade Your Summer as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

When we first moved into our current residence, one of my favorite aspects of the property was the spacious backyard. During the warmer months, we love to entertain family & friends outdoors. Today I’ll be sharing some tips on having a successful summer gathering. From serving delicious food like SeaPak Budweiser® Beer Battered Shrimp to keeping plenty of sunscreen on hand, keep reading for all my tips.

When it comes to picking up supplies for a summer gathering, I always turn to Walmart. I can find beverages, snacks, main courses, decorations, and so much more – all in one place!  It offers an affordable, one-stop shopping solution that saves me time and money every day. 

By the way, there’s an awesome promotion going on at Walmart right now. When you buy participating brands at Walmart, you can enter for a chance to Upgrade Your Summer*. You can potentially win a backyard makeover that includes the Ultimate Outdoor Movie Theater! This sweepstakes runs from May 1, 2019 – July 22, 2019, so take advantage today! One grand prize winner will receive a Samsung® 8 Series 50” LED Smart TV, Sonos® Outdoor Speaker Playbar, a Weber® 11 E310 Grill, Belleze® all-weather backyard 4-piece outdoor patio set and more, including the chance to win a whopping $25,000 check! 

Let’s get right to my list of summer gathering essentials now, shall we?

1. Serve Delicious Food!

A party is definitely not complete without delicious food! We recently tried SeaPak Budweiser® Beer Battered Shrimp and it has quickly become a favorite around here. It adds a delicious hearty protein to our parties. The best part? Nobody is stuck by the grill for hours – these shrimp cook in the oven quickly!

I love that SeaPak Budweiser® Beer-Battered Shrimp provide a delicious pub-style taste at home. These shrimp are actually battered in Budweiser® Beer and are super crunchy!

It was easy to prepare following the package directions. In no time, I had these crunchy shrimp! By the way, it comes with a super delicious, slightly tangy dressing that’s perfect for dipping.

 

2. Offer Plenty of Snacks!

In addition to a main entree, snacks and appetizers are essential! Blue Diamond Original Almond Nut-Thins are deliciously crispy & crunchy and make a perfect appetizer for parties. I love that they’re made with real Blue Diamond almonds.

They’re also free of wheat & gluten and they contain no artificial flavors, so it’s a food I feel good about serving to my guests.

These Nut-Thins go so well with Sabra Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, which is the perfect summer dip! I love to dip fresh veggies, protein or crackers in this hummus. Such a versatile party food!

 

3. Include Fun Decorations!

A summer party is made more festive with the right decorations. It’s not necessary to spend a lot of money on decorations. A series of mason jars filled with water & some cut flowers can make a big impact and is relatively inexpensive. Other fun things to add to your summer parties include tiki torches, pinwheels, and lawn decorations.

4. Serve Refreshing Beverages!

Staying hydrated during summer parties is very important. We picked up this 12 count of Canada Dry Ginger Ale and Lemonade 12 fl oz. cans from Walmart. This beverage is such a delicious, unexpected twist on the classic favorite. 

It’s made with real ginger and a splash of real lemon juice… it really makes the perfect drink to kick back and relax this summer! Free of caffeine and naturally flavored, it’s a beverage I’ll turn to on many summer days.

5. Create Ambiance!

Adding a little glamour and mood to a summer party is easy. A fire pit makes a big impact and adds lighting/warmth to an evening party. An extra bonus? You can even roast marshmallows and add s’mores to the menu! YUM! Another fun way to add some mood lighting is with a string of globe lights. 

6. Use non-breakables! 

I always like to use non-breakables during parties, but this is especially true for outdoor gatherings. It’s best to keep glass items to a minimum, particularly if children will be present. With the wind, you never know when something will get knocked to the ground. Sticking with acrylic or melamine plates is definitely a smart move for outdoor gatherings.

7. Provide sunscreen & bug spray!

During outdoor parties, nothing can ruin a party more quickly than a swarm of mosquitoes. Treating the yard for pests and lighting citronella candles is a smart idea. I like the idea of keeping bottles filled with bug spray & sunscreen available for guests to help themselves.

Don’t forget to purchase SeaPak Budweiser® Beer Battered Shrimp and enter the Upgrade Your Summer sweepstakes to win! Do you have any fun summer parties planned for this year?

 

*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.

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