Enjoy a summer barbecue with friends and family without burning through your budget by saving on everything from food and drink to garden equipment with Boundless.
There’s nothing quite like the delicious smell of food sizzling on the grill, the clink of glasses, and the cheerful buzz of conversation with friends and family on a warm summer’s day.
When the sun shines, a barbecue is one of the great pleasures of British summertime, offering a relaxed, joyful way to bring people of all ages together in the great outdoors.
But with food and energy prices remaining high in 2025, you might be wondering how to throw a memorable summer barbecue without burning through your food budget.
This is where your Boundless membership comes in handy, as you’ll find discounts on everything from food and drink to garden equipment from brands such as M&S, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Ikea and Argos, making it easy to host a fun yet affordable summer barbecue for friends and family.
Already a Boundless member? Simply log in to gain full access to all the offers and benefits included in your membership.
Not yet a member? If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus. As well as getting access to exclusive events, Boundless members enjoy unlimited free or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions, plus year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more.
Host a potluck party
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Why take on all the cooking yourself? A potluck barbecue is the perfect way to lighten the load – and your grocery bill.
Simply ask each guest to bring something to share – this could be a salad, side dish, dessert or drink. Not only does this keep costs down, but it turns your barbecue into a fun, shared experience where everyone contributes something.
To avoid a mountain of uneaten burger buns, try creating a shared online list or WhatsApp group so guests can coordinate on who’s bringing what and reduce food waste.
Savvy shopping: BBQ food on a budget
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Crowd-pleasers like burgers, sausages, veggie skewers, and corn on the cob don’t need to cost a lot. It is worth hunting for special offers and, if time allows, avoiding buying too many premade items, as these tend to cost more for less.
Homemade skewers, veggie burgers, and salads are cheap and easy to make – and taste nicer. BBC Good Food has plenty of delicious barbecue recipes for inspiration.
Another simple way to keep your barbecue feast budget-friendly is to make a list – and stick to it – to avoid overspending. Boundless columnist Mrs Mummypenny shares her top tips for saving money on your weekly food shop.
Boundless supermarket discounts
Save on your supermarket shop by using the discounts available with Boundless.
Boundless members can save between 2-4% off shops at the most popular supermarkets by using prepaid gift cards, helping your barbecue budget go further.
Boundless Shopping Cards are prepaid cards that help you save money at your favorite supermarkets. Just choose a store, prepay the amount you intend to spend onto the card in advance, and enjoy a discounted rate when you shop.
If you fancy stocking up on alcoholic drinks, Laithwaite’s Wine offers Boundless members a 7% discount on award-winning wines, beers and spirits.
Discover our two great membership options and become a Boundless member today.
Already a member? Log in to learn how to make the most of your shopping discounts.
Hunt for yellow stickers
Supermarkets often reduce prices on meat, veg, and bakery items that are nearing their best-before date at the end of the day.
You could either shop a day or two before your barbecue, or stock up and freeze ahead of time to reduce the cost of entertaining.
Make a note of the time of day your local supermarket reduces the price of food and drinks – as a guide, most stores tend to make reductions between 7-9pm each day.
How to choose the right BBQ
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If you're buying your first barbecue or upgrading an old one, you don't need to splash out on top-end kit. There are pros and cons to the different types of barbecue, depending on how often you plan to use it, and how many people you will be cooking for.
Charcoal barbecues give that classic smoky flavour and tend to be more affordable than gas models. However, gas barbecues heat up quickly and are easier to control, which is handy if you plan to BBQ regularly. Portable barbecues are ideal for smaller gardens or for barbecuing while camping.
Boundless members can take advantage of exclusive discounts of up to 6% at Argos, B&Q, Ikea and Halfords, with money off BBQs, accessories, garden furniture, and more. Search the full list of Boundless member savings.
Boundless member event: Online BBQ masterclass with Genevieve Taylor
After some BBQ inspiration? Boundless is hosting an online event for members with cookery author and barbecue expert Genevieve Taylor, who will be sharing her top tips for grilling success.
In this online masterclass, learn how to barbecue better with advice on achieving the perfect flame and creative food ideas beyond burgers.
View the full details and register for your spot here.
Set the scene
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Of course, a great barbecue isn’t only about the food – there’s something special about socialising outdoors in the summer.
Without spending a fortune, you can elevate your barbecue by setting the scene with a few creative touches. Bunting, fairy lights, colourful tablecloths and picnic blankets can transform your garden into a stylish party space.
If you’re entertaining younger guests, lawn games like boules, giant Jenga or Connect Four provide hours of fun and can be purchased using your Boundless shopping card discounts from most supermarkets and many more retailers.
All of these items can be reused time and time again, so why not turn your barbecue into an annual summer tradition?
Do more with Boundless
If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus.
With Boundless, you get unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions including Kew Gardens and Wakehurst and WWT centres across the UK, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more. With Boundless Plus, you can enjoy additional benefits, including unlimited access to Historic Royal Palaces sites, National Trust for Scotland places, access to the Ramblers' extensive group walks and routes, and peace of mind with roadside assistance and local recovery by Britannia Rescue.
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