Memorial Day is coming up –are you prepared for the festivities? Now is the perfect time to make plans for celebrating the start of summer. For many, the long holiday weekend presents an opportunity to have some much needed rest (and fun), whether it be throwing a party, going camping, enjoying a picnic, or heading down to the beach. And, of course – taking the time to remember and appreciate those in the Armed Forces whose sacrifices make our celebrations possible.

Whatever your adventures entail, we have a ton of unique items that are perfect for making the occasion extra special. If you are addicted to cute & small things like we are, you’ll LOVE the new products we have available for the summer season.

Our Firecracker  Mini Torch Candles are perfect to set the celebratory mood; pop them in outdoor plants or buckets of sand and your décor is complete. Our quality porcelain  Vintage Flag Dish would be great for a patriotic food presentation.  And, our Sommers Small Glass Lanterns (set of 3)  transitions your day to evening with the blink of an eye, so you can leave your outdoor bistro open after hours. We even deliver this colorful set with complimentary citronella candles to ward off any uninvited guests!

                                       

  

Grilling & Chilling

Can you hear that? The sound of a sizzling grill makes the mouth water.  Fire up the grill and get ready for your BBQ bash.   As you serve up the goods for friends and family this summer, add a little something extraordinary to the plate. We’ve got plenty of cute and practical products that will guarantee a special event.

Our  Bamboo Steak Markers come in a box of 80 and help keep special orders organized while adding the perfect touch of personalization to the plate. Our mini grill tools of the trade, which you can never have enough of - like our  Mini Silicone Basting Brush and Mini Silicone Tongs come in bright summer colors. Our Bar Havana Lemon & Lime Bowl Set keep your citrus sides on the ready; and are great for the bar as well. And  lastly, our  Mini Condiment Squeeze Containers (set of three) supplies the perfect receptacles that allow you to be creative with your sauces!

  

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And for that extra special touch, fill our  Mini Glass Mason Jars with your favorite BBQ sauce, or use our favorite below (from createdby-diane.com) for take home favors – you’ll be instantly famous!

  

                                           

Bloody Mary BBQ Sauce

2 c. crushed tomatoes 2 oz. vodka

1 ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

¼ tsp. Tabasco ¼ tsp. black pepper

1 tsp. dry mustard ¼ c. brown sugar

2 oz. apple cider (1/4 cup) 1 tsp. horseradish

½ tsp. onion powder ¼ tsp. celery salt

1 tbs. corn starch ½ tsp. cayenne pepper

¼ tsp. salt 2 tsp. molasses

Heat all ingredients in saucepan on medium heat until it comes to a simmer (low boil). Turn on

low heat and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Fill your jars and when the time comes, slather on

your favorite grilling food and chow down.

                                               

Outdoor Activities

Looking for some great outdoor fun for the kids? As part of our great collection of mini kites, our  Mini Pocket Kite is portable, inexpensive, and a great activity for the kids while the BBQ is firing up. Our indoor/outdoor  Croquet Set requires a much smaller area of play than the original and can even adapt to indoors during inclement weather. And we also have old classics, like our  Mini Foam Turbo Football and  Little Box of Marbles that provides hours of fun for the ‘kids of all ages’!

  

                        

And last but definitely not least, a special call out to our 2016 graduates! For a genius way to honor your grads, create these mini chocolate grad hat treats. The bigger chocolate graduation caps are brownie bites topped with Ghirardelli chocolate squares. The baby caps are mini peppermint patties topped with MINI Ghirardelli squares ~ all piped with icing – using the correct school colors of course!