I have accepted a challenge from the people over at Man Crates. They are a company that makes gifts ideal for men, though I know I wouldn’t mind some of them myself either.
They have a variety of gift packages including themes for the griller, the athlete, the beer enthusiast and so many more options. The best part, the gifts are placed in a crate that the recipient has to pry open. No more boring gifts for the men in your life. The timing is right, my husband turns 40 later this month…a custom over the hill package is tempting!
MAN CRATES MANIFESTO
We say ‘no’ to ugly neckties, cologne samplers and executive trinkets. We don’t save wrapping paper, we don’t do ribbons.
We ship bragworthy gifts for guys. Gifts that you can’t wait to arrive because you know the recipient will love opening them.
Gifts that people gather round at the office, people following the sounds of wood being torn from wood by the included, laser-engraved crowbar.
We are Man Crates, and we deliver awesome gifts for men.
Anyway, they asked me to come up with a list of my five must have items for a summer cookout as we near the end if summer. Frankly, for us grilling season is just coming back. During the prime summer months it is so incredibly hot and miserable to grill. As the weather slowly cools, which is really hasn’t yet, I look forward to grilling more.
First and foremost there must be libations of some sort. Kiddie cocktails for the boys, maybe a wheat beer or high gravity beer for the hubby and a cocktail for me. One of our summer favorites is a Blueberry Smash.
The second must have is easy side dishes. Something you can throw together early in the day and pull out of the fridge later. Salads are ideal for a summer cookout, two of my favorites are BLT Pasta Salad and Lemon Orzo Salad with Chickpeas.
A third must have is dessert. What is a cookout without a yummy treat at the end. Cookies and brownies are always easy and crowd pleasers, but in summer fruit is ideal for dessert. You’ve already got the grill going, why not make some Goat Cheese Filled Grilled Peaches.
Living in the South, my fourth must have is citronella candles. If I’m going to be eating outside I would like to minimize the killer mosquitos. When they bite me it itches like crazy!!
My fifth and final must have is an outdoor dining area. Notice this is one of my must haves, but I don’t even have it! When we eat outside we have a folding table we pull out of the garage and put chairs around it! Hopefully next year’s project is to extend the deck and then
I will finally have room for an outdoor dining area. A girl can dream…
What are your cookout must haves?
I was not compensated for this post. I just wanted to get in on the summer cookout fun!
Feeding My 3 Sons 
Love your post! Lovely pictures! I need a grill….. It’s one of my favorite things!!
Thanks! A new grill would be nice if we do the deck next year as well. We have gas now, but I was always a charcoal girl.
pretty food 🙂 Especially wow-ed by your dessert!
Thanks Liz! Hard to believe those peaches were from a post last summer, where dos the time go?!
Pretty dishes and loved your clicks….
Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed it.
Goat cheese filled peaches. Now you’ve got my attention. Never thought about that one. What a great idea and I get so bored of figs and goat cheese. What a lovely idea to make a kiddie cocktail that looks so grown up. I bet it is delicious too. Emma xx
The kids do love to have their own drinks too! The one in the picture is for grown ups only though, though their versions look similar! Not you have me wanting figs and goat cheese…
Those peaches look sublime!
What a great sounding present the Man Crates are, and I love your top 5 items – you got them spot on 🙂
Thanks so much! The peaches are indeed wonderful.
Beautiful pics and yummy recipes.. Dessert is my fav
Thank you so much! Dessert is my favorite as well. Luckily the grilled peach with goat cheese is a healthy treat.
🙂
…MMM the dessert looks delicious! Lovely pictures! I have seen several other bloggers that did post on Man Crates, cool!!
Much as I love to bake, a grilled peach is perfect for a summer dessert!
I like the sound of that gift company for men. I always find it much more difficult to shop for men than women. We are now in Spring and I’m looking forward to the weather warming up so we can head outside to BBQ. I love the look of your BLT pasta salad xx
We are approaching autumn, though it will still take a while where I am. This far south we don’t get cooler weather until November usually. Enjoy your spring!
Your “must haves” list is a good one. That BLT pasta salad must disappear right after being served. It certainly would if I were invited. Which brings me to my own “must have”. About all I need is the address of the cookout. I’ve hosted plenty, to be sure, but it’s so much nicer to be a guest. 🙂
Yeah, the BLT pasta salad doesn’t last long at all! You’re right, it is definitely nice to be a guest! Luckily our friends host often since it is easier for them with their son. Less stress to just take a dish or two.
You did a fine job of meeting the challenge.
Thank you! A cookout sounds wonderful now that it is cooling slightly here.