Fresh fruit salad is one of the best platters to bring to a summer cookout.

Last week at GiftWorksPlus we shared a list of our favorite waterparks to help you beat the heat this summer. This week we still want to help you beat the heat, but with some refreshing and tasty recipes for hot summer days. These recipes are great to bring to a picnic, barbecue, or any gathering with family or friends that you have coming up. Here are our favorites! 

Asian Slaw Salad

This salad from Love and Lemons is first on our list for a reason. Everyone enjoys a good sweet and spicy Asian salad, but this one really kicks it up a notch. Throw in some charred peppers for heat, fresh herbs and spices for tons of flavor, and some juicy sweet peaches to top it off. You’ll be impressing everyone at your summer barbecue. 

Hawaiian Kebabs

Cooking Classy shared this incredibly simple, yet incredibly delicious recipe for Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs, and we are absolutely obsessed. The marinade includes lots of cupboard staples like ketchup, brown sugar, and soy sauce, but then ups the ante with pineapple juice, garlic, and fresh ginger. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to incorporate some fruits and veggies in your main dish! 

Savory Pasta Salad

No summer picnic is complete without a good pasta salad. This recipe from All Recipes is a classic summer staple that will keep everyone coming back for more. Use your favorite pasta, some pepperoni sausage, provolone cheese, and plenty of chopped veggies for a filling, but still so refreshing side dish. 

Summertime Fruit Salad

A good fruit salad is always so refreshing on a hot summer day! This salad from All Recipes stands apart from the others with a sauce to mix in! The sauce includes orange and lemon zest, brown sugar, orange juice, and a little vanilla extract. Chop up all your favorite fruits then drizzle this sauce on top to make your fruit salad tangier and sweeter than ever!  

Cantaloupe Mint Agua Fresca

This recipe from Fifteen Spatulas is so simple, so refreshing, and so much healthier than the sugary drinks typically served at summer events. All you need to pick up for this recipe is a cantaloupe, some lemons, and some fresh mint. Then just chop, puree, strain, mix and enjoy!

Family & Friend Photo Frames

Whatever you decide to eat at your summer gatherings, what’s most important is that you get to spend time with your family, friends, and loved ones! Snap a few photos and check out our family and friends themed picture frames. Once you’ve found your perfect photo and photo frame combination, wrap it up and make your loved one’s day with a special surprise gift!