5 Great Tips For Hosting An Amazing Barbecue

We hosted an early Father`s Day barbecue for friends this past Saturday and we had so much fun! We enjoyed delicious food, played a fun backyard game and had a bonfire that lasted until almost 10:30 pm. We were having such a blast that we really didn't want the night to end, but one of our little guests had an early morning ball game and had to get some sleep. With Father's Day next week, I want to share 5 great little tips for hosting an amazing Father`s Day barbecue for that special dad in your life. {And a special thank you to Canadian Tire for providing the grilling tools and backyard game which helped to make our BBQ evening such a success!}

1. Serve a Droolworthy Appetizer.
As soon as guests arrive, serve an appetizer that will knock their socks off. Choose something that is a fan favorite with men and for us that is jalapeno poppers, but I think that anything with bacon and cheese is sure to be a winner.

 2. Barbecue Lots of Meat.
Meat makes men happy! Barbecue a few choices to satisfy every taste.  We chose to serve  a roasted chicken, beef sliders and chicken wings. We started with oil & spices for a rub for the chicken and did a little rub-a-dub-dub.

Then we used this really nifty Cuisinart BBQ Beer Can Chicken Tool, which is a tool for cooking chicken over a cup of liquid {we used beer} to infuse the chicken with added flavour. The chicken roaster held the chicken perfectly and made the chicken moist and delicious. We used a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the chicken as it was cooking and it only took one hour to cook on the barbecue. The chicken roaster, if the cup for liquid is removed, can also be a grilling basket or wok...which is a genius idea for making this tool multi-functional. {Just look at the crispy and juicy chicken!}

We also barbecued a number of beef sliders in record time with this Cuisinart BBQ Slider Tool, which made cooking and flipping 9 sliders at a time so easy! The slider basket also came with a handy tool to make the sliders the perfect size for the basket and took the guesswork out of forming the patties.

The third entree served is a fan favourite at our house...chicken wings. We stared with an asian-inspired marinade and then drenched the wings. They smelled so good!

After half an hour of marinating,  the wings were transferred to the Cuisinart Chicken Wing Rack. I have to say that my husband loved the chicken wing rack because the wings cooked to crispy perfection without having to flip them or otherwise fuss over them. And the chicken skin was not ripped off by a sticky grill either.

 The wings disappeared the fastest when it was time to eat. Everyone loved their crispy goodness!

 Our barbecue was a hub for tasty & delicious grilling!

3. Serve Easy Roasted Veggies.
Roasted potatoes are easy when small potatoes are cut in half with some butter and spices added. Place on the grill in a pan until crispy and soft when speared with a fork. We served these with some sour cream at the table.

These inexpensive metal skewers held some other veggies that were grilled to round out our meal. I like to grill veggies on their own without meat so that you don't end up with either under cooked meat, or dried out, overcooked veggies.

 When the veggies were ready, they were removed from the skewers and served in a bowl.

 4. Add A Little Decor.
To jazz things up a little, I created these sweet little tags and straw flags to help our celebration feel festive. The tags were tied around  the cutlery bundles.

And flag straws on striped paper straws helped to make the table look fun!

5. Play A Family Friendly Game.
After we ate, we had some fun playing the Coleman Bean Bag Toss. This game is perfect for all ages and it's a lot harder than it looks let me tell you! With such busy schedules during the week, it was so nice to play a game and hang out and have fun!

The bean bag toss came with 2 boards that were ready to go on the lawn as soon as they came out of the box. Nice! And there were 8 bean bags to toss.

And one board even had a zippered storage pouch for the bean bags on the reverse side. The organizer in me loves this feature!

Overall, we had a wonderful evening with friends to celebrate Father's Day. The company was amazing, the food was delicious and the bean bag toss game was great fun.

 Can I just say again how delicious the food was?

And lastly, don't forget a delicious dessert, like these no bake BANANA SPLIT BARS...which make a big pan.

or these easy no-dishes needed STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE COOKIES.

Or an easy ICE CREAM DESSERT TRAY.

I want to wish you a wonderful Father's Day celebration and hope it's a day filled with delicious things and great fun!

{This post was generously sponsored by Canadian Tire, but the opinions and images are my own. All of the grill top accessories and the bean bag toss used in this post can be found at Canadian Tire.For more information, please visit Canadian Tire.}

This post is linked to:
Under The Table & Dreaming, A Pretty Little Life In the Suburbs, Uncommon Designs, I Heart Naptime,  Skip To My Lou, Lil Luna, Gingersnap Crafts, Savvy Southern Style, Clean & Scentsible, The DIY Dreamer, Not Just A Housewife, I Gotta Create, StoneGable, The 36th Avenue, Somewhat Simple, Craftberry Bush, Craftberry Bush, The Frugal Girls, Becoming Martha, Whipperberry, 30 Handmade Days, Tatertots and Jello, It's Overflowing, What's Cooking With Ruthie,
It's Overflowing, I Heart Naptime, Craft-O-Maniac, Aalderberry Hill, Under The Table & Dreaming, A Pretty Life, I Heart Naptime, Cooking with Ruthie,

Father's Day Chaulkboard Frame

This is a super cute project to make with kids for Father's Day. It is so simple too, with only a few supplies needed. And if you have been on the 'chaulkboard' craft wagon already, you might even already have the chaulkboard paint hanging out at your house. Once the frame is painted,  kids can unleash their wild creativity with doodles and drawings for Dad! And the artwork can be changed at the whim of the little artist too...that's the beauty of a chaulkboard.

Father's Day Chaulkboard Frame

Supplies:

Unpainted wood frame

Primer {I just used a coat of regular black paint}

Foam brush

Chaulkboard paint.

Directions:

1. Prime wood frame. Let dry.

2. Follow directions on the chaulkboard paint for painting the frame. Let dry.

3. Let kids create their artwork on the frame.

Ta-da!

I think any Dad would be thrilled to receive a frame filled with the artwork of  his sweeties!

This post is linked to these parties:
Tatertots and Jello, It's Overflowing, What's Cooking With Ruthie, Aalderberry Hill, Uncommon Designs, Craft-O-Maniac, I Heart Naptime, Pretty Little Life In the Suburbs, I Should Be Mopping The Floor, Under The Table & Dreaming, Skip To My Lou, Lil Luna, Gingersnap Crafts, Clean & Scentsible,  The DIY Dreamer, Not Just A Housewife, I Gotta Create, StoneGable, The 36th Avenue, Somwhat Simple, Craftberry Bush, The Frugal Girls, Becoming Martha, Whipperberry, 30 Handmade Days,  Tatertots and Jello,

Father's Day Printable Straw Flags, Tags & Bag Toppers

I am so excited because tomorrow we are hosting a Father's Day barbecue for some friends and we are barbecuing yummy food and playing some fun backyard games! I was busy today grocery shopping for the menu and doing other prep work when I felt inspired to create some super cool tags for our little party. I thought I would share them with you too,  so if you have plans for a Father's Day celebration, you will have some tags, straw flags and bag toppers for your gathering as well!

I created these little tags to attach to our cultery bundles. 

 And these straw flags for our drinks.

 I filled some plastic bags with some of my husband's favourite miniature chocolate bars and made toppers for the bags. 

Here you go! Enjoy!

Father`s Day BBQ Tags

Father's Day Straw Flags

Father`s Day Bag Toppers

Wishing you a wonderful weekend! 

This post is linked to :
Tatertots and Jello, It's Overflowing, What's Cooking With Ruthie, Aalderberry Hill, Uncommon Designs, Craft-O-Maniac, I Heart Naptime, A Pretty Little Life In The Suburbs, I Should Be Mopping The Floor,  Under The Table & Dreaming, Skip To My Lou, Lil Luna, Gingersnap Crafts, Clean & Scentsible,  The DIY Dreamer,Not Just A Housewife, I Gotta Create, StoneGable, The 36th Avenue,  Somewhat Simple, Craftberry Bush, The Frugal Girls, Becoming Martha, Whipperberry, 30 Handmade Days, 

Dad's Commuter Kit

 I have to say that this a Fathers Day gift that is near & dear to my heart...a Dad`s Commuter Kit. My husband was a salesman on the road for many years and I worried about him every single day. I was always so happy when he arrived home at supper time...especially on days when winter roads were very dangerous.  I created this kit with the travelling Dad in mind...those Dads that are on the road for work, whether it be long drives to customers or to the office.

 I also created this cute tag to go with the kit, so you can print your own. 

I stuffed everything into a car organizer, but really any type of basket or plastic storage tote would work just as well.

Here is a list and picture of everything that I included in the kit for my husband.

Please note that this is not a roadside emergency kit. It's more of a 'care kit' for someone who spends a lot of time on the road or in their car and might often need some small things like bug spray for a golf tournament for work, or a lint roller for a suit jacket.

They are thoughtful things that a nice to have on-hand.

Here is the tag that can be printed for your own commuter kit. 

Dad's Commuter Kit Tag

And if you would like to see more of my creative Father`s Day gifts, you can check out these ideas:

Dad`s Snack & Surf Kit 

Cashew Pretzel Hugs For Dad

Easy Homemade Peanut Brittle for Dad

Father`s Day Collage Picture

And my Father`s Day Pinterest Board HERE.

This post is linked to:
Tatertots & Jello, Link Party Palooza,Becoming Martha, The Frugal Girls, Design, Dining & Diapers, Whipperberry, 30 Handmade Days,  Tatertots & Jello, It's Overflowing, What's Cooking With Ruthie, Aalderberry Hill, Uncommon Designs, Craft-O-Maniac, I Heart Naptime, A Pretty Little Life In The Suburbs, I Should Be Mopping The Floor,  Under The Table & Dreaming,  Skip To My Lou, Lil Luna, Gingersnap Crafts,  Savvy Southern Style, Clean & Scentsible, The DIY Dreamer, Not Just A Housewife, I Gotta Create,  StoneGable, The 36th Avenue, Somewhat Simple, 30 Handmade Days,

Baked Jalapeno Popper Dip

For the May long weekend, we decided to invite friends over for an impromptu gathering for refreshments and fun and uproarious laughing! Even though it was a last minute decision, I managed to make this amazing Baked Jalapeno Popper Dip for us to enjoy with our drinks as a special treat.  It was creamy, delicious and hot...and paired with Triscuit crackers,  it became the perfect snack to serve to a hungry group.

I created this recipe based on one of our all-time favorite appetizers...jalapeno poppers. Making stuffed poppers takes a LOT of time, and since I didn't want to be a hostess that misses all the fun, I decided to replicate the same flavors in a baked dip. I was really happy because the dip was very easy to make and took only 20 minutes...less than HALF the time it would have taken to make a tray of stuffed jalapenos.

And you know what else? My family and guests LOVED this dip just as much as the time-consuming poppers. And I loved that I wasn't in the kitchen for a long time and was able to visit with our guests. The ingredients are the same as for jalapeno poppers, but since it is a dip, the whole 'split-the-jalapenos AND stuff-the-jalapenos' steps can be eliminated. And since Triscuit crackers are in our pantry all the time, they are the perfect scoop for this tasty, cheesy dip.

Baked Jalapeno Popper Dip

Ingredients:
400 gram tub Philadelphia Cream Cheese
3 green onions, sliced
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/2 cup bacon bits
6 jalapeno peppers, sliced

Directions:
1. Using mixer, cream together cream cheese, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and sliced green onion until light & fluffy. Using a spatula, spread cream cheese base in bottom of an oven proof platter or casserole dish.

 2. With a brush, spread barbecue sauce over cream cheese base. Sprinkle with sliced jalapeno peppers.

 3. Bake dip in 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes, or until hot & bubbly and jalapenos are slightly browned. Remove dip and sprinkle with remaining shredded cheddar cheese and bacon bits. Return to oven for 3-4 minutes until cheddar cheese is just melted. Remove and let cool slightly.  Serve with Triscuit crackers.

Triscuit crackers are the perfect scoop for this dip. 
With Triscuit crackers, Your Stage Is Set! 
Triscuits crackers are a versatile snack that are great to serve for any occasion as they can be the base for an appetizer, as well as for spreading, scooping and dipping! I like to serve Orignial Triscuit crackers with dips because they go with any flavor and are an amazing crispy compliment! Triscuit crackers can also scoop more dip...so you can get MORE cheese & bacon...and who wouldn't want that?! And as a hostess, I also like them because they don't break when scooping dip...which makes for happy guests!

That first bite of dip withTricuit crackers is just so delicious and addictive!
Absolutely fabulous if I must say so myself.

How about you? What is your favorite dip?

This post is linked to:
Somewhat Simple, The 36th Avenue, I Gotta Create, StoneGable, Becoming Martha, The Frugal Girls, Design, Dining & Diapers,  Whipperberry, 30 Handmade Days, Tatertots and Jello, It's Overflowing, What's Cooking with Ruthie, Aalderberry Hill, Uncommon Designs, StoneGable, I Heart Naptime, I Should Be Mopping The Floor,  Under The Table & Dreaming, Skip To My Lou, Lil Luna, Gingersnap Crafts, Clean & Scentsible, The DIY Dreamer, Not Just A Housewife, Chef-In-Training,

Father's Day Collage

I had such a fun day playing with my scrapbooking supplies creating this collage for my husband for Father's Day. I used one of my favorite pictures of my husband with our kids taken about 6 yeas ago...but I think it is adorably cute & timeless. Although I have a ton of scrapbooking supplies leftover from 10 years of a hard core scrapbooking habit, as well as years of teaching scrapbooking classes, I know that you can find many of these supplies at the dollar store, so not to fear if you don't have a stash of supplies!

 Here are the supplies that I used. For the base of the collage, I used an old laminated board that we had that was the perfect size, but you could use a canvas or a piece of plywood too if that is what you have. I love using recycled supplies where possible!

Supplies: 

board, 8" x 9" or whatever size you like

scrapbook adhesive and/or glue

modge podge + foam brush

scrapbook paper

cardstock scraps

chipboard letters that spell dad, buttons and other stickers or embellishments

Picture, 5" x 7", trimmed if desired.

Directions:

1. Measure and cut scrapbook paper to cover board or canvas. Using foam brush, apply a thin layer of modge podge to board and press scrapbook paper on top. Use a ruler to smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles. Let dry.

2. Add picture and surround picture with cardstock scraps & embellishments and the word "DAD". Play around until you have a pleasing design!

3. When you have the picture & embellishments in the desired place, use scrapbook adhesive or glue to attach pictures and embellishments to board. Done!

 Don't be afraid to add small embellishments here and there. I find even simple things like buttons can make a collage look so beautiful!

I made this gift for my husband to display in his office. As you know, I love picture-inspired gifts.

This is a fairly easy project to tackle, so don't be afraid to try! And if you give it a try and it looks too plain...add some buttons! That's a little trick that always works for me!

You can find some of my other father's day gift ideas here, here and here. 

And you can find more ideas on these Pinterest boards:

Father's Day Ideas

Beautiful DIY Projects

Camping Recipes & Food

Wishing you a wonderful crafty day!

This post is linked to:
Somewhat Simple, The 36th Avenue, I Gotta Create, StoneGable, Becoming Martha, The Frugal Girls, Design, Dining & Diapers,  Whipperberry, 30 Handmade Days, Tatertots and Jello, It's Overflowing, What's Cooking With Ruthie,  Aalderberry Hill, Uncommon Designs, I Heart Naptime, A Pretty Little Life In The Suburbs,   I Should Be Mopping The Floor, Under The Table & Dreaming, The DIY Dreamer,
Not Just A Housewife,

10 Great Gifts To Make For Teacher

June is here and that means that school will soon be over for the year! But before that happens,  there will be  a rush of end of year activities and class trips, and Moms will scrambling to fit it all in. If you are like me, the busier things get, the more I become overwhelmed with trying to think of gift ideas to make or buy for teachers as a thank you gift. So I have rounded up some of the most budget friendly & fun gift ideas from the projects here at Echoes of Laughter.

 Strawberry Lemonade Mix.

 Iced Chai Tea Latte Mix

 Iced Cappuccino Mix

 Gardening Gift Basket

 Easy 10 Minute Grape Jelly

Chocolate Cake Hug In A Mug 

Honey Lavender Sugar Scrub

 Bath Gift Basket

 Mint Grapefruit Body Scrub

 Mint Lime Foot Soak

 Strawberry Butter

  and you could always make a lovely batch of Strawberry Shortcake Cookies!

 I hope you find something that inspires you!

And you can find more ideas on these Pinterest boards:

Teachers Gift Ideas

Gift Ideas

Craft Ideas

Thank you SO much for visiting and have a lovely week!

This post is linked to these parties:
Time To Sparkle, Home Stories A to Z, Chef-In-Training, Today's Creative Blog, The 36th
Whipperberry, 30 Handmade Days, Tatertots and Jello, It's Overflowing, What's Cooking With Ruthie, Aalderberry Hill, Uncommon Designs, I Heart Naptime, I Should Be Mopping The Floor, Under The Table & Dreaming, Not Just A Housewife, Somewhat Simple, Mulit-Testing Mommy,