How To Plan A Summer Barbecue
You’ll know summer is here when you get a whiff of meat being barbecued out in the yard. Barbecues are very common during summertime, since people get to enjoy the sun, eat delicious food, and have fun with their friends and family. If you want to throw this kind of get-together here are some ideas to help you out.
What You’ll Need:
A reasonable budget
Guest list
A menu
Party decorations
Props and equipment for party activities
Helpers
Planning The Barbecue
summer barbecueYou have to set the date and time of your summer barbecue first. Remember that even if it’s summer, people will still be busy at work or they may have other vacation plans. Schedule the barbecue at the end of the week or during the weekend. That way, you’ll be assured that most of your guests are free.
You have to make a guest list, so you’ll have an idea of how much food you’ll be serving. Diversify. Don’t just invite family members, invite your friends and colleagues, too.
Crafty invitations are not necessary for a summer barbecue, but if you want to make the event special you can send some to your guests. Just spread the word by calling them up or sending a casual e-mail. Another reminder: since it’s a barbecue, tell your guests they can come in casual outfits, like T-shirts, shorts and summer dresses. If you have a pool, tell them to bring their swimsuits.
Before The Party
Even before the day of the barbecue, you must take care of numerous concerns, so you won’t be dead-tired during the event. A week or a few days before the event, organize and tidy up your house, inside and out. Replace or repaint garden furniture and prune your plants. Make sure the pool and your barbecue grills are clean.
The day before, go to the grocery to pick up the ingredients and food items for the barbecue. Make sure you carry a grocery list with you. The night before or on the morning of the party, marinate the meat you’ll be grilling in a tasty BBQ sauce.
Prepare The Food
The most important factor of your party? The food, of course! Here are a few tips to remember:
Appetizers: Serving yummy finger foods before dishing out the main course is great. Easy ideas include tortilla chips and salsa, cheese and crackers, potato chips and dip and french fries with mayonnaise and ketchup. If you want something more classy, serve shrimp *********.
The Meat: The kind of barbecue you serve depends on where you’re from. Examples of barbecues you can prepare include grilled seafood kebabs, Carolina ribs and Cajun grilled chicken. Kansas, Memphis, and Texas style barbecue are also very common. If you’d like to keep it simple, you can serve hot dogs and burgers. These will be great for adults as well as for the kiddies.
Salads: Potato salad and macaroni salad are traditional kinds served. If you’re expecting vegetarians at your party, though, you can serve leafy green salads.
Dessert: Sweet desserts such as pies are great. Serve cherry, pecan, peach or blueberry pie at the end of the meal. If it’s a very hot day, serving ice cream is also a good idea.
Beverage: Lemonade, ice tea and punch are refreshing. For the adults, serve cold ****.
It’s exhausting if you do all the cooking by yourself. Ask a few people to help you work the grills. You can take turns. Remember that the meat and salads can go bad without refrigeration, though, so it’s best to have a cooler with you.
Make It Fun!
Your guests are likely to look for some fun during the party. Prepare different kinds of outdoor activities, such as:
Horseshoes
Volleyball
Bocce
Frisbee
Croquet
Parlor games are silly, but they can also bring plenty of laughter to your party. If you have a pool, encourage your guests to change into their swimsuits and take a dip.
Celebrate the beautiful summer season by having a summer barbecue in your yard. Try these ideas and your event will be a sure success!