Tuesday Tip – Popsicle Summer Entertaining Tips + Giveaway

Winner update 7/23/13: Thanks so much to everyone that entered! And the lucky winner (listed on the Rafflecopter widget) is entry #153 Amanda S.  

This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Ambassador in the Popsicle® Blogger Program. Visit www.facebook.com/popsicle to join in on the conversation.

Summer is in full swing and today’s Tuesday Tip is a few summer entertaining tips and an awesome giveaway from Popsicle®.  Brooke Peterson, lifestyle and entertaining expert is partnering with them to share with how to create your own Popsicle Pop-up Party and here are 3 of her tips that I’m excited to say, I’ve been following for years.

image from Amy Atlas

Three’s Company
When choosing a color palette for your backyard gatherings, be mindful of the “rule of three;” meaning, use three main colors so it doesn’t get too busy and cluttered from a décor perspective. My favorite hues to mix-and-match this summer are vibrant shades poppy, emerald, goldenrod and purple.

image from Hostess Blog

It’s Okay to Cheat 
Don’t spend hours slaving away in the kitchen. Set up a backyard buffet so that guests can help themselves and save time. Creating a hot dog bar for backyard barbeques is a simple and delicious way to feed large crowds.

Set out the ‘go-to’ sides like mustard, onions and relish, but get creative with out-of-the-box ideas like pineapple or chili hot sauce so guests can have fun creating their own dinner masterpiece. And for desserts, have a cooler of ready-made treats like Popsicle® pops for a colorful, fun treat that parents and kids are sure to love.

image from Not Just A Mommy

The New Summer ‘STAND’ard 
Inspired by the quintessential, childhood lemonade stand – and one of my signature L.A. party activities – is the DIY food or beverage stand. Having a DIY stand is fun for guests to decide how they prefer elements of their meal; how sweet or sour they want their lemonade, or how spicy they prefer their salsa.

It’s different from the typical DIY bar or buffet when you take an already-made item and just add toppings; with this approach, guests can actually be part of making their own meal or beverage. For example, with a lemonade stand you could provide the lemon juice, sugar, ice, and any extras you choose; I like fruit, herbs, seltzer water, and then a wild card … Jalapeños anyone?

And for a salsa stand, set out chopped salsa ingredients including tomatoes, onions, pineapple, papaya, limes, and anything else you see fit.

Head over to to the Popsicle® Facebook page and check out their Party Tool Kit for free coloring pages, word search, mustaches, crowns and more!

And if you missed it, take a peek back at my own popsicle party inspiration board for more ideas!

Now that you have the free printables, get the rest of your summer entertaining set by winning a $25 gift card to Target and while you are there, get cool treats with 10 Popsicle®coupons!  Enter below on Rafflecopter and be sure to read the terms and conditions.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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