This past weekend, we hosted a barbecue/ping pong tournament at our home to celebrate a birthday in addition to Memorial Day. None of our guests showed up empty-handed either--we have enough beer, booze, and chips for the next barbecue! However, one couple brought over a gift bag full of fun and functional things that we could definitely use over and over again for future summer parties which inspired us to create our own shortlist of barbecue-themed gifts...
Top 10 Gifts To Bring to a Summer BBQ
Aside from Food
1. Beer Koozies
Beer koozies not only keep your drink cold, but it solves the problem of, "Is that my drink? Are you sure?" We like to get the cheesy beer koozies in the $1 bin at Ralphs (the ones with dolphins screened with neon ink) when we're running low...and then there are the extra special ones, like EmilioFish's Tall Bike Tall Boy Beer Koozies which can hold 22oz to 24oz cans.
2. Bamboo Plates, Set of 8
Considered as the greener option to paper plates, this set of organic bamboo is biodegradable and sturdy. The only downside? These plates are a bit pricier, especially considering that they're designed for one-time use. Another idea we like as a gift in lieu of bamboo plates (the ones featured here are from Cost Plus World Market) are fun melamine plates, like these polka dotted ones from C.S. Post & Co.
3. Microwave Tupperware Cereal Bowls
About six years ago, we received a set of 3 Tupperware containers from a friend's mother as a thank you gift--and they're still in rotation today. They're so handy and versatile, and perfect for either prep work or leftovers. These airtight cereal bowls come in a set of 4 and can be stacked to save space in your refrigerator.
4. Citronella Candles
It goes without saying how useful these bug-repellent candles are, especially when the mosquitoes start coming out when the sun goes down. It's always good to have a stock of these stashed away, from the designer-y styles (like the Crate and Barrel ones shown), or the more utilitarian-looking ones that come in galvanized buckets.
5. A Bag of Ice
You can never have too much ice at a summer barbecue. Never.
6. Bottle Opener
Bottle openers are great, affordable gifts especially since there's a wide range of styles available. You can pretty much find a bottle opener to fit any personality, and they always come in handy. Speaking of handy, we liked the look of the screwdriver bottle opener available of Uncommon Goods.
7. Salad Plant Server
For all of your whimsical salad-loving friends, here's a cute gift: Salad servers that look like plant shoots growing out of a terracotta pot. This Salad Plant Server is also available at Uncommon Goods.
8. A Plant
When all else fails, bring a plant. It's a great gift that lasts longer than a bouquet of flowers. This potted hydrangea is from the Martha Stewart's 1800flowers collection, but you can hit up your local nursery or grocery store to pick up a wide variety of plants. In a pinch: Potted orchids from Trader Joe's.
9. Happy Face Branding Iron
If your host is grill-happy, consider giving them this cheerful branding iron that puts a smile on every piece of meat on the grill.
10. Hand Squeeze Juicer
A friend of our gave us one of these after noticing we had a lemon tree in the backyard. It works amazingly well--much better than all the ones we used previously, at least--and we don't cringe when we want to make lemonade or margaritas. These hand squeeze juicers by Amco are made of enameled aluminum and are dishwasher safe.
Got your own gift suggestions? Share it with us in the comments!
Comments (14)
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When I give or host a party or dinner at my house I do not expect gifts in fact I totally discourage them. I don't need stuff and I think it is unfair to expect people to bring you a gift especially in these times or anytime.
Now when I am invited to a party I just simply ask is there something I can bring, often the answer is no but I always bring a bottle of wine or beverage of some sort. Most of my friends are at the stage in their lives they have what they need, they can buy what they need, they have great taste and don't want crappy plastic objects.
view LoriSF's profile
Those koozies are somethin' else!
view misshoxie's profile
While listening to Tell Me More on the radio a couple of months ago about more sustainable ways to throw parties, a great suggestion came up. Why not buy the number of plates you need at Goodwill or Salvation Army and when you're done, just donate them back? I've seen plates there for as little as 15 cents. There's no garbage, no stuff to store and no green tax for biodegradable stuff.
view swandiver's profile
wow "LoriSF" take a chill pill!!!
view ilovenature4ever's profile
I agree with LoriSF. I've never brought a non-consumable gift to a party. You're better off bringing some beer or a salad or something like that.
view slowdown's profile
Guess LoriSF and slowdown missed the recent thread about manners and hostess gifts....
view pvett's profile
I have hosted many a dinner, drinking, board game, whatever party in my day. I have also attended quite a few. I have never given nor received any non-consumable goods for anything other than a birthday party.
It may be polite, but people just don't seem to do that anymore.
view kiljoywashere's profile
As a host/hostess, don't expect gifts and as a guest, don't feel badly if you cannot provide them. Anything above and beyond that is a pleasant surprise :)
view casafroggy's profile
pvett: It's hardly ill-mannered to choose to bring food or beverages to a party rather than buy some random stuff that the hostess or host might not want or need.
Probably the most thoughtful gift of all is to offer to show up early and help set up or cook (or better yet, stay a little late and help clean up).
view slowdown's profile
I consider myself with manners, my way of showing it is by helping cleaning up after a dinner party, I write a little note/thank you card and I reciprocate by having a dinner party. I always bring a nice bottle of wine or will bring dish if needed.
There is nothing wrong with disagreeing or sharing a different point a view.
view LoriSF's profile
I guess I have more low-brow friends. If I brought a plant instead of beer....they would probably send me home.
view baileyb's profile
Went to a family BBQ at a cousin's home over the weekend and took a basil plant! Looked so pretty, was so fresh and smelled yummy. Also, since I don't drink, I took some sparkling lemonade that came in a really neat flip top locking bottle. I didn't have to worry that there would be nothing for me to drink. Everything was inexpensive at Fresh and Easy and I know they have the same basic stuff at Trader Joe's.
view ChristyG77's profile
Lots of my friends have dogs. I frequently bring Frosty Paws. Hosts and dogs are both happy to see me. And I'm thrilled to be invited.
view MaeEast's profile
a cache pot with an herb is always a fun host/hostess gift.
view Seaside's profile