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These 3 tricks will save your sanity at your summer BBQ

If you're planning to host a summer bash soon, we have three helpful hacks to make sure you pull off the best outdoor party ever.
/ Source: TODAY

Temperatures are warming up, and that means it's time to take the party outside! If you're planning to host a summer bash soon, we have three helpful hacks to make sure you pull off the best outdoor party ever.

Keep flies away from food

Nothing ruins your appetite faster than having flies hover around the food. Here's an easy trick to keep those bugs away. Flies hate the smell of lemon, so take a lemon and cut it in half. Flies also hate the smell of cloves, so stick cloves throughout the flesh of each lemon half. Put the lemons in decorate bowls and place the bowls throughout the food areas. The flies should stay far away!

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Keep drinks cool with water balloons

It's popular to fill beverage tubs with ice to keep drinks cool during a party, but ice can be a sloshy pain as the night goes on. Instead, fill water balloons up the night before your party. Let the balloons freeze overnight, and when it's time to fill your beverage bin, use the water balloons instead of ice. They'll keep the drinks cool and will host in the water as the ice melts.

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Prep ice cream ahead of time

It's not summertime without ice cream, but there's no need to have to oversee ice cream duty throughout your party. Instead, prepare ahead of time before with this hack. The night before your party, place cupcake liners in a cupcake tin and put a scoop of ice cream in each liner. Once all the liners are filled, put a layer of plastic wrap over the tin and put it in the freezer. (The wrap protects the ice cream from freezer burn.) When it's dessert time, simply pull out the pan and let guests create their own treat. This DIY is especially great for kids who want to make their own ice cream bowls without your help!