It’s summer and you know what that means, right? It’s officially BBQ season! I believe about zero dinners should be eaten inside during the summer months, so you could definitely consider me a sucker for a great patio party. Of course, I’m also a sucker for pretty party details like flowers, linens, and beautifully presented food. So today I’m sharing my favorite ways to take your BBQ from fun to fabulous!
Watch the video to learn how to decorate an outdoor party tray with veggie stamps, and get the full DIY tutorial here.
RELATED: 7 Brilliant Summer Party Shortcuts You Need to Know About Now
20 Fresh BBQ Ideas to Make Your Patio Party Shine
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DIY Tinted Votive Holders
Add a little ambience to your patio with these pretty DIY tinted votive holders. Use recycled jars or glasses that you have around the house already, or pick up inexpensive mason jars.
Get the how-to at Henry Happened
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DIY Stamped Picnic Blanket
A pretty picnic blanket makes for easy lounging in the backyard and also provides extra seating if you're short on chairs. Make yours with a budget-friendly canvas dropcloth, a potato, and craft paint.
Get the how-to at Almost Makes Perfect
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DIY Terrarium Table Runner
I love how this grouping of pretty DIY terrariums looks when clumped together to form a table runner (fabulous for a picnic table!). Make yours with inexpensive dollar store containers and plants scored at your local home improvement store.
Get the how-to at A Beautiful Mess
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DIY Twine Wrapped Glasses
Jazz up ordinary glasses and make them party-worthy with a bit of colorful twine from the craft store. Stick a paper straw into your punch and you're ready to party!
Get the how-to at The Sweetest Occasion
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DIY Paper Bag Utensil Holders
The cheapest of cheap brown paper lunch bags make the perfect holder for utensils at a picnic or backyard BBQ. The utensil illustrations are courtesy of a free printable and you'll be organized and ready to serve guests in style!
Get the how-to and printable at Almost Makes Perfect
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DIY Giant Jenga
No barbecue is complete without a little entertainment. How about a game of backyard Jenga? Made from 2x4s that you can have cut down at the hardware store and then paint, this supersize version of a classic favorite is easier to make than you'd guess.
Get the how-to at A Beautiful Mess
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DIY Ice Cream Cup Wrappers
Make your after dinner treats even sweeter by serving ice cream in these adorable paper cups. The wrapper is a free printable; print it, cut it out, and attach it to basic paper cups with a bit of tape or glue.
Get the how-to and printable at Design Eat Repeat
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DIY Fringe Party Cups
Dress up inexpensive paper cups with a bit of fringe to make your party even prettier. Buy the cutest cups you can find and then attach the fringe with tape. Easy peasy!
Get the how-to at The Sweetest Occasion
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DIY Color Block Wooden Cutlery
I love using wooden utensils when I host a BBQ because they're easy like plastic but so much cuter! This DIY color block paint treatment makes 'em even cuter.
Get the how-to at Studio DIY
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Mason Jar Condiment Holders
Ditch boring bottled condiments for little jam jars filled with all of your favorites. Add a bit of twine and a small shipping tag label -- and you're in business!
Get the details at Talk of the House
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DIY Potato Chip Sacks
Chips are a BBQ essential. Kick your party style up a notch by serving your favorite chips in these adorable butcher-paper sacks complete with printable labels.
Get the how-to and printables at Lia Griffith
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DIY Picnic Sandwich Boxes
This one is so simple: Instead of boring paper plates, use cute patterned paper loaf pans to serve burgers, sandwiches, and hot dogs? Genius!
Get the details at Jentertaining
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DIY Twister
Twister is another game that's perfect for backyard shenanigans! This DIY version is made with paint, a paper plate as a stencil, and a canvas drop cloth making it both inexpensive and an awesome upgrade to the boxed game set.
Get the how-to at Go Forth
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DIY Mini Hot Dogs
Ordinary things look awesomely adorable in mini sizes, as these hot dogs prove. Line them up in these DIY paper baskets made from cardstock and wax paper for a pretty presentation.
Get the how-to at Oh Happy Day
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DIY Fiesta Garland
Bunting and garlands of all shapes and sizes are a fun way to add a decorative twist. This festive garland is made from tissue paper, and you can pick up one just like it about anywhere party supplies are sold.
Get the how-to at Oh Happy Day
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DIY Picnic Place Settings
Make your party slightly more formal with these awesome place settings tucked into upcycled metal cans. They serve as a holder for utensils and napkins while assigning seats at the table, too.
Get the how-to at Sweet Paul
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DIY Cloth Picnic Games
I'm in love with this darling set of DIY picnic games, which are perfect for your picnic table or your picnic blanket. Put it together (with a few other basics) and you're ready to play the night away.
Get the how-to at Say Yes
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DIY Pastel Dipped Milk Bottle Vases
Pretty flowers make everything, well, prettier. These pastel paint-dipped milk bottle vases are perfect for a backyard bash -- inexpensive, easy, and beautiful. Stick a single bloom in each vase for a lovely centerpiece.
Get the how-to at Say Yes
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DIY Fruit Skewers
Presenting food in a pretty way adds to your decor. I'm in love with these fruit skewers. Melon is served up on popsicle sticks and garnished with a sprinkle of mint and feta.
Get the details at Say Yes
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DIY Bunting Tablecloth
A rockin' tablecloth sets the tone for any bash. I love this DIY tablecloth (made with a basic white cloth and a bit of paint) because it's festive and fun.
Get the how-to at The Sweetest Occasion
