Every year around this time I suffer from a very particular ailment. I’ve come to find out that the official term for it is “must-have-all-the-latest-summer-accessories/gadgets/gizmos-so-that-I-can-be-the-perfect-summer-hostess-itis “.
Is anyone else suffering from this problem? I mean, when it’s all right there at the front of every store it is so hard not to give into it! Fancy beverage dispensers, plastic platters that look so ‘un-plastic’ that you simply must pick one up to believe they really are plastic, clip on grill lights, outdoor speakers, over-sized ice buckets, lanterns, utensil caddies, and about a million things with the American flag on them. It’s so easy to think that in order to set the stage for the perfect summer gathering we need all of these ‘extras’.
But then reality hits. Where do you store it all during the rest of the year? I don’t know about you but I don’t have a dedicated ‘outdoor summer entertaining accessories’ closet. And, the even bigger reality to hit you (which might be harder to accept if you have a disconnect between your ‘imaginary’ life vs. your ‘real’ life) is that you’re not throwing fancy, five course, sit-down dinner soirées every weekend. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It’s more along the lines of, “hey, do you guys want to come over for pizza and brownies from a box?”
So, I’d like to now declare myself officially cured of my aforementioned ‘itis’. I’ve finally realized that I don’t really need all of those designated ‘summer’ items to create the right atmosphere for my outdoor entertaining whether it be a last-minute pizza in a box kind of night while the kids run around in the yard or a fancy soirée. I mean, a girl can dream of hosting a soirée now and then, right? 😉
No need to spend the money on an outdoor bar when you can simply turn a TV tray into one with the addition of a handled tray on top!
Those giant beverage tubs seem like a great idea until you have to figure out where to store it the rest of the year. Why not just use a galvanized bucket instead? This is one I decorate with year round inside my home so I always have it in arms reach. And filled with ice its the perfect way to chill those bottled beverages.
I keep bread sticks and salami or prosciutto on hand at all times for a simple yet elegant appetizer.
We always keep our favorite summer-y music loaded and ready to push ‘play’ at a moment’s notice. ‘Pink Martini’ is a family favorite and you won’t be able to keep from kicking up your feet as soon as you hear the first strands of music.
And just like keeping the inside of your home fairly clean and tidy (most of the time) makes it easier to host last-minute gatherings inside, creating a beautiful foundation for gatherings outside means that you will always be ready to welcome friends and family at any moment. That’s why lighting and ambiance are so important. And this beautiful TIKI® Brand Glowing Tabletop Torch definitely ups the ambiance factor big time! There are some things that you just make room for, right? 😉
I can’t even begin to tell you how much we love that someone finally came up with an easier way to pour the TIKI® Brand Torch Fuel into the TIKI® Brand torches. Genius!
And, I love how these turquoise colored glass TIKI® Brand Torches look against the green of the trees in the background. 
Once you have set the stage for your summer gatherings…
…and you have recovered from “must-have-all-the-latest-summer-accessories/gadgets/gizmos-so-that-I-can-be-the-perfect-summer-hostess-itis “, you can simply sit back and enjoy!
Are you ready to get your ‘Summer’ on? Did you know that not only can you purchase these awesome items online but also at your local Target? As if we needed one more excuse to go to Target, right? 
And we’re so excited to help you kick off summer in style by offering you the chance to win this awesome Prize Package including:
4 Glass Torches
1 Glowing Tabletop Torch
1 Bottle of OFF/BF Torch Fuel + 1 Snap & Pour funnel
That’s a retail value of over $100!
We’re making it super easy to enter to win! Simply leave us a comment answering this question…
How do you think the TIKI© Brand products would help you to create the perfect environment for your outdoor entertaining this year?
*this post has been sponsored by TIKI© Brand but all opinions are 100% my own Sweepstakes Rules: No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods: 1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post 2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post 3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post 4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 5/19/2014-7/4/2014. Be sure to visit TIKI’s brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!
Here’s the code:
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99 Comments on "Easy Summer Entertaining Ideas and Giveaway!"
I love how beautiful the Tiki products are now! They fit in everywhere now. The Tiki torches always reminded me of a luau, and didn’t really look good in more formal settings. This stuff looks great! The colors would be great with my green patio furniture with white accents. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Thank you for curing our “itis”! I think the Tiki products are gorgeous & perfect for our outdoor festivities this year. Lighting is the one thing that always seems to be the problem so this is just what we need!
The lighting would be great but the real reason would simply be that as a natural gal, I just really love sitting out near fire. The lovely colors are so soul soothing too.
I feel that using the Tiki products would take my back deck from drab to fab and make me WANT to sit out there and entertain 🙂
I tweeted about the giveaway. (and it only took me 3 tweets to get it right, lol)
https://twitter.com/georgiabeckman1/status/468714611047669760
When did Tiki start making such pretty things?! I love entertaining outdoors with candles and torches setting a festive scene. These would be perfect!
We just put I a new garden with a fire pit for entertaining. Having the Glass Tiki Torches out there would add color and great ambiance.
It would be fabulous at the lake on our deck!! Love this!
Love those Tiki torches! And that turquoise color is simply perfect! Just what I need to go with my patio table and umbrella.
Love the torches perfect for Torch lake MI which is also the color of turquoise. The most beautiful lake in thw world in my opinion
Our deck needs outdoor glow and these Tiki torches would be just the perfect solution. Love the color!
The Tiki torches pull dual duties keeping those pesky mosquitos away while keeping décor stylish and functional. Love the torches!
Oh I would love these colorful Tiki torches to light the way to an beautiful outdoor space I want to create. Just sitting outside in the dark with these lights sounds inviting.
I’ve been suffering from your same ailment because I’ve been looking at melamine dishes online and then realized that I didn’t really need them because I have NO place to store them! Ha! Tiki torches have come a long way and the ones you’re showing are so beautiful and would be a great addition to an eating area that I’m creating in our garden!
These tiki torches & lamps would make my tiny little patio feel nice and cozy!
I don’t even HAVE an outdoor space–but these TIKI torches make me want one! If I win, I’ll be inspired to create a beautiful place to show off these beauties!
I have a great back porch but the mosquitos are TERRIBLE!! I also need to add some color to make it feel more inviting.
The tiki torches would not only be a nice addition to my to my outdoor decor they help keep those pesky bugs away!
These TIKI torches would be perfect in my back yard this summer so we could have the perfect ambiance for our pizza and brownies from a box! Come on over and join us!
These add elegance to any setting and they are functional as well.
These are so beautiful, and I love how the color is such a beautiful accent on the deck.
The Tiki torches and products are perfect pieces to use for my outdoor get togethers because they add a warm glow for evening entertaining.
I love the ambiance! My backyard just looks boring, but these would really make it feel like it’s a party!
I am in LOVE with that Tiki tabletop torch! The glass torches too – all would look perfect around our pool!!
These are so pretty! perfect mood lighting! i LOVE the tabletop tiki torch!
I tweeted https://twitter.com/chattycc
Tiki torches are awesome! They look super festive, they help keep the bugs away, and they always make my honey break out into song!! (Tiki torches at twilight , David Lindley). http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bzfcRx0Os_M
I love the Tiki torches. Beautiful color!!! I’m sure it would help keep all those pesky bugs away and it would be so pretty at night!!! Thank you for the giveaway.
The Tiki products are gorgeous. My back yard lacks ambiance. There’s nothing that sets it apart. Now I know what would be perfect. Tiki.
Love your blog and the Tiki giveaway op…My new favorite color and I am in the process of setting up our deck for entertaining…You offered so many great ideas. Color helps create a feeling and I love the color combination you showed. Yellow is great too. Keep blogging. Love it!
Love those beautiful tiki torches!!! How fun!
We adore torches for our back deck. We have so many it’s like we’re waiting to vote someone off! Thanks for the giveaway, ladies!
The lighting would be perfect for the patio, would not be blinding and create the perfect ambiance.
These Tiki brand products would help light my back deck and look nice, and I would add Citronella to keep the bugs away.
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydinpa/status/468818887401033729
The Tiki Torches would be a great addition to my backyard. I’ve been dying for a fire pit and this would work great until we can get one!
It would easier to host last-minute gatherings by creating a beautiful foundation for any outside occasion. You can use the Tiki torches either for something romantic and private or for the perfect family & friend party. Either way, it would be a great addition to your backyard fun. Thanks for such a great product!!
TIKI say’s FUN! Party on the deck everyone!
Tiki set’s the mood adds the glow and can even keep the bugs away.
These Tiki torches would be super to keep the bugs away, plus they are beautiful. I have been looking for something like this.
The turquoise color of the Tiki products you have shown would be the perfect touch to bring the turquoise colors I have decorated with inside my house to the outside, blending the two together!
I could use some Tiki torches in my backyard for sure! I have no hopes of building a fire pit, having our friends over for cookouts or our neighbors for a picnic without some sort of defense against the battalion of mosquitoes that set up HQ in our green bean plants.
Perfect for the deck and easy to move if the party is on the lawn.
Who knew that Tiki torches could be so elegant and downright pretty?? I would love to win a set and use them to update our back patio area and keep the ‘buggies’ away!!
Thanks for the chance!
Tanya
I love these Tiki products! So nice compared to the old bamboo looking lights. Would love to add these to our outside space for the summer!
Thanks,
Karen
lemontart5kb at gmail dot com
I think that it sets the perfect mood for a relaxing backyard. It reminds me of everything tropical which I love even though I live in Michigan. Thanks for the giveaway!
They would help me by making my yard come alive!! Love the colors!! Thank you!!
Lighting is crucial to create the right ambience to any setting. And doesn’t everyone look better by candle light?
The Tiki torches are so pretty. They would add color to my porch.
Nothing like a little soft fire light to create ambiance, maybe a little romance!
The TIKI Brand helps me create the perfect environment for outdoor entertaining by creating a fun, comfortable and classy place to celebrate life with family and friends.