Backyard #BBQ #TipsandTricks with a Few Essentials from World Market + #SummerGetaway Sweepstakes

DISCLAIMER:  I am a World Market ambassador and I received gift cards to facilitate this post, however all opinions and experiences are my own.

There's nothing that feels more like summer, than a cookout with family and friends. The food, the camaraderie, the memories, the food, the laughs, seeing the kids splashing around in the pool, the food... I love it all. (Did I mention the food?!)

I like to fancy myself as kind of a big deal, when it comes to backyard chefery (that is a word, right?!) and like any good chef, I have a few tricks up my sleeve, to help me pull off the best backyard BBQ ever and be sure to read all the way through the post, for your chance to enter World Market's #SummerGetaway sweeps for a trip for four, on Southwest Airlines + a World Market gift card.

Tip 1. The Food

This is probably the most important thing, in my opinion, to the success of your backyard BBQ. Even if you have a beautiful setting for your cookout, a ton of great friends and the best outdoor furniture in the world, it won't matter, unless the food is amazing.

My secret for a great Backyard BBQ spread is, keep it simple, don't try to overdo it. I have a basic menu that I use for most all my cookouts, I serve hamburgers, hot dogs, brats and a side or two, usually potato salad, home made coleslaw or fries and usually a dessert.

It sounds like a very basic menu, but when you add things like, home made coleslaw, home grown tomatoes, home made root beer float pops and a few goodies from World Market, it soon becomes something much more, like a full blown event. 

Tip 2.   Plan Ahead

There's nothing worse than feeling rushed or stressed out on cookout day, so do yourself a favor and plan your meal ahead of time and don't forget to make a shopping list of everything you will need.

You will need to plan enough food for all the people you invite plus about three more, because it never fails, if you plan for five, you'll have eight, but even if you don't have any "plus ones", no worries, I assure you, it will all get eaten, no one ever turns down leftovers the next day.

Tip 3:   Keep it Simple, but Fun.

When at all possible, use throw away. I know, I know, the environment, but there are eco friendly options, even in disposable dinnerware. The less clean up you have to do, the more you will enjoy your cookout. 

You don't have to go all out or have a degree in design to have a great backyard BBQ. Let the food be the star, but add a couple of little extra touches, just for fun.

For our last cookout, I picked up this cool galvanized steel drink tub from World Market and filled it with a few of my favorite sodas. It's functional, but super cute too.

While at World Market, I also picked up a box of Patriotic party poppers and turned them into shabby chic place cards. I thought they went with my Americana theme really well.

Tip 4. Don't Skimp on Dessert

The backyard BBQ dessert is often overlooked, because by the time you get done with all the grilling, you have no energy for making dessert, so what do you do?! You follow step#2 and plan ahead.

These easy Root Beer float pops are amazingly rich and creamy and will really hit the spot on a hot day, but if you still aren't really "feeling it" about making dessert, you can take the easy way out and just go with the old standby...

S'mores are the quintessential BBQ dessert and for good reason, they are easy, taste delicious and best of all, everyone can make their own and World Market has the perfect S'mores kit. It has everything you need, sticks, marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers, so you have no excuse not to serve dessert, unless your entire dinner party has the sugarbetes, then you're excused.

I had a lot of fun putting this shindig together, especially going to World Market to find goodies to use. You can find a full list of products I used, as well as links below.

1.Ball Pint Mason Jars  2.Teal Ribbed Glass Lantern Candleholder

3. Galvanized Party Tub  4.Mesh Collapsible Food Tent

5.  Americana Ice Cubes  6. Americana Fabric Garland

7.  Stars & Stripes Paper Plates  8.  Americana Paper Straws

9.  Popsicle Maker Tray  10. Mini Patriotic Party Crackers

*Not Pictured Above*

Americana Sodas

Burger Baskets

Basket Liners

S'Mores Kit

Burger Blend

Now for the giveaway... Southwest Airlines has teamed up with World Market to bring you a #SummerGetaway you will never forget! 

FOUR lucky GRAND PRIZE winners will receive 4 Grand Prize Packages:
• Airfare for 4 on Southwest Airlines
• Hotel Accommodations
• $500 World Market gift card

Participants can also earn bonus entries for liking and sharing content via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest & Instagram pages for more chances to win, so go get those entries in now, before it's too late! Good Luck!!!