Better Homes & Gardens Ideas, Tips & Guides

With the first official day of summer only a few weeks away, the editors at BHG have been gathering warm-weather essentials in anticipation for the months ahead—and we're sharing them with you! Prep for summer entertaining with suggestions from our home and food editors, including a genius charcuterie board that comes with compartments for all your favorite meats and cheeses. Spruce up your summer tablescape with checkered linen napkins, or take the party on-the-go with a padded cooler bag that's perfect for picnics.

If you think bark is solely a holiday treat, think again. We’re talking edible bark—think peppermint bark, chocolate bark, and other variations of this crisp, chilled treat that so often make appearances in holiday cookie swaps and gift boxes. Many of us might associate bark (mainly peppermint bark) with cozy holiday memories, but bark is actually also the perfect warm-weather treat: As temperatures climb, a cool treat is sometimes exactly what you’re craving.

Adam Albright

Jell-O

Ed Gohlich

If you love something, make it flat—that’s how the saying goes, right? When it comes to flat croissants, at least, that’s definitely the case. We all know (and love) the classic flaky croissant, but bakeries and home chefs have taken the pastry to new heights (or lows?) by flattening it and frying it to make it even crispier.

Anthony Masterson

Better Homes & Gardens / Dylan Chandler

Madeline Tolle. Interior Design: Mandy Cheng

Diana Miller / Getty Images

Cameron Trimble

SMEG

Brie Passano

Shangri-La Paris

No Mow May is a bee conservation movement that has surged in popularity over the last few years, in part, due to its simplicity. To participate, all you need to do is leave your lawn alone in May. This allows lawn flowers to bloom and feed hungry native bees emerging from hibernation when other flowers are scarce.

Cindy Ord/MG24 / Getty Images

From Left: Sara Lee. Neilson Barnard / Staff / Getty Images.

Fresh Del Monte

Stolp

Craig Melvin is a busy guy: He’s a constant on NBC’s Today, he’s gearing up to head to Paris for the Summer Olympics in July, and he’s the author of a new picture book. At home, he’s husband to sports reporter Lindsay Czarniak and dad to Delano, 10, and Sybil, 7. He recently welcomed a new puppy, Myles, to the family. He’s even taken on a few cozy hobbies (more on that later). Amid all this, Melvin has turned his attention to making his home a sanctuary—and part of that is the rules, written or unwritten, that keep his house running.

Starbucks

Starbucks

The Macallan x The Mark Hotel

Sharon Greenthal

Prime

Rachel Marek. Prop Styling: Addelyn Evans

Airbnb

Le Creuset

Aldi

The Reform Club

Republic of Tea

Jif

Dunkin'

Left: WWD / Getty Images; Right: CARSON DOWNING

Sarah Martens

Left: Gary Miller / Getty Images; Right: Jacob Fox