Summer is all about gathering with friends and family for backyard barbecues. But, if you’re like me, entertaining doesn’t come naturally. On the other hand, my friend Lena of Listen To Lena is a terrific host! I attended a barbecue at her place where I picked up some simple summer entertaining ideas that even I could pull off!

{Simple Summer Entertaining Ideas}

Idea #1: Personalize your snacks or appetizers.

This is a great way to make guests feel special as they arrive and you don’t have to have ANY DIY skills!

Try serving individual fruit skewers along with an individual jar of fruit dip! To personalize the jar, just use black tape and write each guest’s name with chalk or contrasting marker. This can even be done last minute if “surprise” guests happen to show up since it’s so quick and easy to do! Instead of a fruit dish what about a savoury dip for veggies in a cup?

Idea #2: Set Up a Burger Bar

What’s a backyard barbecue without burgers? Why not elevate the burger eating experience by letting guests customize their burger with their own condiments?

Have buns and toppings set out on individual plates so that guests can add their own toppings. Along with the standard ketchup, mustard and mayo why not make your own condiment combinations? Try, smokey ketchup, maple sesame mustard or how about a secret burger sauce? Get creative and experiment in the kitchen before hand.

Idea #3: Set Up a Sundae Bar

Both kids and adults won’t be able to resist a make-it-yourself sundae bar!

This is super easy to do. Have a few flavours of ice cream on hand and add sundae toppings in small individual bowls so that guests can make their own sweet creations. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, why not make a cereal-marshmallow bowl? That’s a sure fire way to make your sundae bar unique!

Here are a few recipes to get you started entertaining this summer:

Fruit Dip – Creamy Lemon Dip

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp Great Value Honey or maple syrup
• zest of 1 lemon
• pinch cinnamon

Whisk yogurt with honey, lemon and cinnamon. Make up to 24 hours ahead of time and serve with fruit or fruit skewers

Savoury Dip – Creamy Taco Dip

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• ½ pkg Great Value Light Cream Cheese
• ½ cup crumbled feta
• ½ tsp Great Value Taco Seasoning Mix
• 1 tbsp chopped chives

Combine yogurt with cream cheese and feta in a food processor. Blend on high until pureed, scraping down sides as needed. Add taco seasoning and blend until combined. Transfer to a serving dish and top with chives. Serve with cut vegetables and Great Value Potato Chips. Make ahead up to 24 hours. Makes about 2 cups.

Condiment Combinations:

Smokey Ketchup

• ½ cup Great Value Tomato Ketchup
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika or chipotle powder
• 2 to 4 drops Worcestershire

Whisk everything together in a small bowl.

Maple-Sesame Mustard

• ½ cup Great Value Prepared Yellow Mustard
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• ½ tsp sesame oil

Whisk everything together in a small bowl.

Secret Burger Sauce

• ½ cup Great Value Real Mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp Great Value Sweet Green Relish
• 1 tbsp Great Value Prepared Yellow Mustard
• 1 tsp Great Value Tomato Ketchup

Whisk everything together in a small bowl.

Cereal-Marshmallow Bowl

• 2 tbsp Great Value Butter, plus more for greasing
• 2 ½ cups Great Value Marshmallows (20 large)
• 3 cups corn flakes cereal
• Sprinkles (optional)

Grease the inside of 4 small cereal bowls with butter. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add marshmallows and stir until melted. Remove from heat and stir in cereal. Working quickly, divide mixture among prepared bowls. Shape cereal mixture into bowl shape using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, trying to close any gaps in order to form a cereal bowl. It’s ok if the cereal gets crushed. Add sprinkles. Let stand until set, about 20 minutes.

Release cereal bowl from outer bowl and use for ice cream. Make ahead up to 6 hours.

Find these and other great recipes at the Walmart Recipe Centre.

Once again, a huge thanks to Lena, for inviting me to #MakeSummerGreat and letting me experience these simple summer entertaining ideas.

Of course, no barbecue can be considered a success without the most important ingredient:  Great Friends!

What are your favourite simple summer entertaining ideas? Please share them with me!

This post is sponsored by Walmart Canada, as part of the Great Value #MakeSummerGreat program. In exchange for this review, I have received special perks in the form of products and/or compensation. All opinions on this blog are my own.