17 Colorful BBQ Essentials You Can Actually DIY

Pumpkin Beer Cooler

Oktoberfest is all about the beer (duh). So instead of carving out a jack-o-lantern, hollow out a pumpkin, fill it up with ice and get to cooling those seasonal ales you love so much.

Sparkling Pumpkin Cider Beertail

We love sipping on our pumpkin ale straight, but to switch things up, try this beertail made with pumpkin ale, sparkling cider, and lots of cinnamon.

MyGift 2 Liter Das Boot Beer Glasses

No, you are never, ever, EVER too old for a das boot. Invest in this set of four for your upcoming shindig because, well, it isn’t an Oktoberfest party without a big ol’ beer-filled boot floating around!

TRUE Craft Beer Tasting Glasses

These sleek glasses are the perfect beer vessel for your German-themed get-together, and they’re also just awesome bar staples. Any excuse to grow the home bar, right?

Libbey Heidelberg Glass Beer Mugs, Set of 4

Clink the night away with these festive (and hefty!) beer mugs.

DIY Harlequin Garland

No Oktoberfest party is complete without the standard harlequin garland. DIY this puppy and string it up right before your guests arrive.

Braided Crown

A little dress-up never hurt anybody! Complete your Oktoberfest look with this feminine and effortless braided crown. (via Camille Styles)

Lederhosen Set

For all moms out there, dress yourlittle one for the occasion. There’s no reason they have to miss out on the party just because of… well… obvious reasons.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Roast up the pumpkin seeds from your beer cooler for a light and salty beer snack.

Pretzel Necklaces

Right when your guests walk in, hand them one of these adorable pretzel necklaces. Who doesn’t love a good wearable snack?

Homemade Oktoberfest Pretzels

If beer is the Batman of Oktoberfest, then homemade soft pretzels are certainly the Robin. Serve these puppies up warm with some tangy yellow mustard for the perfect party snack.

Homemade Pretzel Bites

Not into full-size pretzels? No problem! These pretzel bites are the bomb.com.

Pretzel Bite Mini Bucket Holders

If you go the pretzel-bite route, be sure to craft up some adorable p-bite holders, like these minibuckets lined with Oktoberfest colors.

Maille Mustard Variety Pack

And you best not be serving up all of these pretzels without a little mustard.

Pretzel Bar

A food bar is always a good idea, especially if you’re expecting lots of guests. Create a pretzel sampling bar, complete with various mustards and cheesy dips, to really get the Oktoberfest-ivities started.

Pretzel Rolls

For those of you planning on having a DIY sandwich station, bake up these yummy pretzel rolls to stick with the theme.

Pull-Apart Pretzel Skillet With Beer Cheese Dip

Pull-apart breads are everything, especially when there’s beer cheese dip involved.

Wisconsin Beer Brats With Sauerkraut

Grilled brats topped with homemade sauerkraut? There’s absolutely nothing better.

Grilled Potato Arugula Salad

Serve this lovely grilled potato salad alongside those brats for the perfect Oktoberfest meal.

Pumpkin Beer Bread

Fully commit to the beer theme and whip up this scrumptious pumpkin beer bread made with pumpkin puree.

Chocolate-Dipped Beer Marshmallows

Beer marshmallows??? Tell us more!

Beer Mug Cupcakes

These are so ridiculously amazing, we can’t. even. stand it. Those fondant beer mugs are filled with chocolate cake and with Bailey’s Irish Cream chocolate ganache…!!!

1. Popsicle Cocktail: Champagne? Yes, please. You can make a mocktail version for the DDs using Sprite. (via Freutcake)

2. DIY Cardboard Rocket Ships: It’s inevitable that there will be kids present at an event like this. Might as well have something for them to do! These also make great faux-firework decor. (via Hello, Wonderful)

3. DIY Patriotic Napkin Rings: When you’re serving a large group of people, a buffet with pre-wrapped cutlery is the way to go. (via Jordan’s Easy Entertaining)

4. 4th of July Party Poppers: Because you can never have enough confetti. (via Tell Love and Party)

5. DIY Firework Sunglasses: If you don’t have firecracker sunglasses, are you even living? (via Studio DIY)

6. DIY S’mores Donuts: Once the sun goes down and the fire is blazing, a tray with these ingredients will quickly disappear. (via Aww Sam)

7. DIY U.S Flag Letterboard: Looking for a thematic way to display the signature cocktail or what’s on the grill? This DIY letterboard is how you’ll do it in style. (via Love The Day)

8. Printable Hot Dog Trays: With a little extra time and some funky cardstock, create these hot dog trays. Save the plates for the burgers and salads! (via The House That Lars Built)

9. Red, White, and Blue Fondant Sugar Cookies: Attending a potluck BBQ means it’s one giant competition to see who can make the most Pinterest-worthy dish. You’ll win hands down with this one. (via Pretty in Pistachio)

10. Star Spangled Banners: Garlands and balloons adorned with stars in red, white, and blue are details that won’t go unnoticed or under-appreciated. (via Design Improvised)

11. Printable Match Box Covers: You don’t have to go over the top to celebrate the 4th. Dress up what you’ve already got and call it a day. (via Almost Makes Perfect)

12. DIY Sparkler Packs: It’s not a real Fourth of July without sparklers. (via Lovely Indeed)

13. 4th of July Treat Boxes: Bribe the kiddos with these and you won’t hear (or see) them until it’s time for dinner. (via A Kailo Chic Life)

14. Coconut Water and Fresh Berry Popsicles: These frozen pops are delicious and healthy, and they couldn’t be any easier to make. Just drop some berries into popsicle molds, then fill with coconut water and freeze. (via Back to the Book Nutrition)

15. Fruit Cubes: Fruity ice cubes dress up any bevy. For this Fourth of July, place red and blue berries into ice trays, then fill with water and freeze. Break out the cubes when it’s time to party, and they’ll add a festive pop to all your drinks. (via Pip and Ebby)

16. Red, White and Blue Rice Krispies Treats: To deck out your Rice Krispies treats in patriotic colors, just dip them in red and blue melts, then add sprinkles and piping. The color-coordinated straws are a nice finishing touch and make them portable. That way, guests can mingle while they nosh. (via Life, Love and Sugar)

17. Parmesan Chive Corn on the Cob: Reminiscent of Mexican street corn, this recipe calls for a healthy dose of butter, grated cheese, and spices. Salty Parmesan adds just the right bite to sweet corn. (via Must Love Home)

18. DIY Kraft Paper Chip Bags: Whether your chips are store-bought or homemade, they’ll have scratch-made appeal in these DIY bags. Click through for the red, white, and blue printables. (via Lia Griffith)

19. Double-Sided Red White and Blue Picnic Quilt: Made of red, white, and blue bandanas, this patriotic coverlet is just the thing for an Independence Day backyard picnic. It’s an easy DIY — no binding is needed! — so you can sew it up in just a few hours. (via Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom)

20. Squirt Gun Station: Give the kids some squirt gun action. Nothing beats water fun when the weather gets hot and humid. (via First Home Love Life)

21. Kiddie Pool to Keep Things Cool: Keep a large quantity of drinks cool and easily accessible for kids by corralling them in a pool of ice. A red or blue plastic kiddie pool will also complement your patriotic theme. (via Balancing Beauty and Bedlam)

Who's in The Housemaid movie?

The Housemaid Cast

The cast of The Housemaid will be led by Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria, Anyone But You) as Millie, Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia!, The Drop Out) as Nina, and Brandon Sklenar (It Ends With Us,Drop) as Andrew. Uma Thurman, Phoebe Dynevor, and Anthony Hopkins will also star. Check back here for the rest of the official cast list!

"I hope [die-hard fans of the book] accept this casting," Seyfried jokes in an interview with Bustle. "I know Sydney's amazing...I can't wait to work with her. I think we're going to have a lot of fun. But also, like, I don't know how people see Nina, my character...I hope they like the casting because the fans are the reason it's being made. So I'm here to tell all the fans that I'm gonna do you well."

"I can’t even express how excited I am to announce that #TheHousemaidMovie is coming soon!!!" McFadden said in an Instagram post. "@Lionsgate has come up with the absolute perfect cast and director, and I am just so grateful! I mean, Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, and Paul Feig…mind blown!!!! I’m so honored and thankful to all my readers who helped make this dream come true!!!!!"

Is The Housemaid going to be made into a movie?

Yes, Deadline announced on October 8 that The Housemaid would become a film, thanks to Hidden Pictures and Lionsgate. Paul Feig will direct, Rebecca Sonnenshine will write the script, and Todd Lieberman, Laura Fischer, and Feig will produce while Alex Young, author Freida McFadden, Sydney Sweeney, and Amanda Seyfried will executive produce.

“I’m thrilled to have The Housemaid join our upcoming slate,” said Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “A great filmmaker and a great cast with a great script from a great book is a terrific place to start.”

“Part of the fun of the book was imagining the cast while we read it, and Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried are perfect for Millie and Nina – they’re both mysterious, nuanced, and incredibly skilled at becoming characters who don’t reveal everything right away,” said Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.

What is the plot of The Housemaid?

The Housemaid Plot

Millie has one more chance at starting over, and taking a job as a housemaid for wealthy couple Nina and Andrew is the perfect place to start. But as she cleans, cooks, and takes care of their daughter, Millie quickly realizes her employers are far from perfect — even if they'll do anything to keep up appearances.

When is The Housemaid coming out?

The Housemaid Release Date

We don't have an official release date for The Housemaid yet, but there's a good chance we could see it in 2025. Stay tuned for more news!

How many books are in the series The Housemaid?

Freida McFadden has three books in The Housemaid series: The Housemaid, The Housemaid's Secret, and The Housemaid is Watching.

Is The Housemaid spicy?

There is some sex and violence in The Housemaid, but it's not as overwhelming as some other popular books on the market. One Goodreads user compares the content to what you'd watch in Law & Order: SVU or Criminal Minds. If you're concerned about one of your preteens reading this book, you could always read it first, or start a bookclub and read it together!