Summer is officially here, at least that is what the calendar says so it must be true – yippee! That means nights hanging by the pool, Summer BBQ’s, and late night bonfires with your friends. But when it comes to packing up the VW for a friends BBQ there are a few ways to stay organized and make your life easier. This week, we have your guide to packing the ultimate Summer BBQ necessities! Take a look below.

• Freeze water bottles in place of ice in your cooler. Frozen bottles will keep your items cooler for a longer period of time, plus when they thaw you will have bottled water to drink! Double-whammy!
• Pack a small first-aid kit. It is always a good idea to be prepared and creating your own first-aid kit from home items can help during those tight situations, especially if you have children.
• Pack the cooler smartly and efficiently.
  • Start with a clean, cold cooler
  • Use a water-tight reusable container to store food items, keep any bagged items on the top of the ice/ frozen water bottle layers
  • Cans and bottles should layer the bottom of the cooler where they’ll stay cold longer, if you choose the ice method, add a layer of ice on top of drinks and food containers. Ice will make its way through the crevices and keep your items cool
  • Be sure to pack the cooler full so no warm air can sneak in
• Pack a plastic tub to haul back any cans or dirty dishes you may have brought to the BBQ
• Bring your favorite goodies to eat/ grill – it is a GREAT idea to always pack your favorite Summer foods which will also add to the amount of food and variety offered at the BBQ. Trust us, your friends will thank you for it!