Make Your Summer Weekends Go Off With A Bang!We love it when the weather warms up and it's time for summer weekends! We can't wait for relaxing BBQ-with-friends vibes, lazy weekend picnics, and long summer nights. Whether it's the summer school holidays, the long weekend in January, or you've just managed to grab an extra day off work to make the most of the nice weather, we think summer is the best time of year for spending time with family. It's the perfect opportunity to dine al fresco and enjoy the sunshine. That means an exciting BBQ party is on the horizon for lots of families!Here at Gifts Australia, we love nothing more than a party, so look no further for summer lunch ideas to make your day spectacular. The centre of every gathering is the delicious food, but we’ve also explored fun décor and entertaining ideas to give your barbie a little boost. If the men are in charge of cooking, then take a look at these unique ideas for BBQ gifts he’ll love to add to his barbie collection. If your backyard BBQ gets a workout with everyone in the family sharing the cooking, you’ll love our easy family Australian BBQ party ideas.For a fun family weekend or a feast with friends, check out our list of tips and tricks, and get planning with crowd-pleasing BBQ ideas. We’re sure you'll want to fire up the grill and host a party every weekend this summer to take advantage of the good weather! If you're on your way to a party, make sure to bring an alcohol gift for the host or something from our summer gifts range just made for backyard BBQs, pool parties, and picnics.BBQ Essentials For The Perfect Summer Party A backyard bash, BBQ beer event, or pool party is the perfect way to celebrate some time off work and spend time with loved ones. Any weekend is an excuse to entertain, relax and have fun outdoors. With our summer BBQ menu ideas, entertaining homewares collection, and endless fun family party ideas, you can set the stage, create outdoor ambience, and have your guests smiling all day.Here are our top six BBQ and party entertaining tips!Mouthwatering Mixed MenuWhether you’re menu planning for four or feeding a crowd, the food is what guests will be waiting for. Find your favourite Australian BBQ food ideas and grilling recipes and pile on the prawns or sizzling steak. Dust off your best homeware accessories and add barbecue sauces, summer salads, side dishes and delicious desserts. For intimate get-togethers, go for something swish and different with a wow factor. Or, keep it simple with finger food ideas for summer BBQs or everyone’s favourite burgers and ribs. You could even host a hotdog or popcorn bar!Go For A Fun ThemeChoosing a theme will always ensure your outdoor party packs some punch. Keep the look cohesive by choosing a colour palette and use fun elements for added enjoyment. Balloons, banners, and flags are cheap decoration ideas for any outdoor party. String them between trees and tables or welcome guests with a creative banner. Include the food and drinks in the overall theme and invite guests to dress for the occasion or wear a particular colour. You can be as wild as you want from an outdoor movie night, backyard games, a murder mystery afternoon, pizza oven party, or our favourite - an epic pool party!Serve Drinks That ImpressA bevy of refreshing drinks is a must, so make sure everything’s kept on ice to quench their thirst. Set up a beer bench in the garden and support local business by serving Australian craft beers and nibbles. Whip up your own summer fruit juices and mocktails with colours to match your theme. Blend jugs of iced tea and homemade lemonade, or open a cheese and chilled wine taster bar! If your theme is sophisticated, then shake and stir a range of fabulous cocktails served over crushed ice. Get out your very best bar and drinkware and watch your guests mingle, relax, and sip in the sunshine.Create Some Conversation Everyone tends to flock to the food at outdoor gatherings, so create some different themed areas for mingling. For larger parties, create cosy conversation zones with groups of comfy chairs and small tables. Arranging chairs around a kiddies pool for everyone to dip their feet as they share a drink is a fun way to create a conversation area to relax. Add some nibbles ornon-alcohol hampers packed with chocolates and treats for the kids. You could have a make-your-own burger station, or serve your different food courses and drinks from different areas for some added fun. Think burgers and beers, steak and sangria or even iced tea and cakes!Let The Games BeginFrom poolside toys to summer beach gifts, everyone loves backyard games, and your choice will depend on the event and if it’s a family occasion. Make sure you have enough fun family gamesto keep all the kids occupied for the afternoon. If you have space, throw a pool party and set up a lively game of water balloon toss. Go to town with two-legged races, sack or egg and spoon races. Choose adult games that match your theme or have some great traditional options like bowling, croquet or horseshoes for more formal events. If you haven’t got a pool then set up a sprinkler in a quiet corner and invite your guests to bring costumes and cool off whenever they want! Set The AmbienceLight up your outdoor space with a selection of sparkling lights if you want to take the party into the evening. Choose solar lights, lanterns, or strings of bulbs to create the mood you want. Hang brightly coloured paper lanterns from the trees and bushes or put flickering candles in patterns on the grass. Set the mood with music too; a great playlist is a must at any barbecue. Pair those luscious prawns with cool jazz, and be sure to have a big collection of favourite tunes to get any dance action started. For added aroma put fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary on the barbie charcoal. The delicious smell will make their mouths water before the main event.BBQ Parties Make The World Go AroundTreat your friends or family to a day to remember, whatever kind of summer BBQ you choose to hold. Even if it’s just you and the kids, make it something special. It’s lovely to have a fun afternoon and sit outside long into the evening. If you're making the most of the warm spring days and cool nights, you can gather around a cosy fire pit or the glowing embers of the barbie and watch the stars. Tell each other scary ghost stories or read books aloud together. Roast marshmallows or bake potatoes over the fire flames and light sparklers together at midnight. Everyone will love it!If you’re searching for weekend BBQ ideas, or you’ve been invited to a BBQ and want to take a gift, then check out the full range of BBQ gifts and accessories at Gifts Australia to spark your imagination.
