How to Get BBQ Party Ready for Spring
Before we know it, the summer will be here. I don’t know about you but one thing that we like to do as a family is to have garden parties and BBQs. Nothing beats having fun outside with family and friends. Good food is a must of course too! So are you thinking of throwing a BBQ party this summer? It can be a fun, and enjoyable experience. I think that BBQ parties are the least stressful parties to have. Just because of the nature of them, they are quite laid back and relaxed. You don’t need too many decorations or think too much about music and games. So there is no reason why you can’t be laid back and relaxed while planning it too. There is no need for stress when it comes to summertime and BBQ parties! Here are my top tips to help you have an amazing time.
You might want to have a spur of the moment party or you might want to plan ahead. If you live in an area where it is going to be warm weather pretty much all the time, then an off-the-cuff party is easier to do. If you are in an area where the weather is a little less reliable, then planning ahead is the best idea. When you pick the date and the time, think about what will work best for the guests that you are inviting. Will everyone be bringing their kids? Or would you rather the party just be for adults so you can all enjoy a drink? That is all fine; you just need to give people enough notice. If they need to get babysitters, then a couple of weeks is a good idea. You want to have everyone be able to come!
Then the question is the time of day? If you are doing a family party, then it might be better to have it start around lunchtime. Then you could all have a late BBQ lunch and play a few games into the afternoon. It might put some people with kids off if you have the party starting in the evening. They might want to keep their kids in a routine and the thought of bringing their children might put them off. If you are choosing just to have adults at the party, then evening might be a better time, though. You can have the BBQ as the evening meal and then enjoy drinks and chat as late into the evening as everyone would like.
One of the next things to think about is what equipment you might need. Do you already have a BBQ grill? If you do, then the problem is sorted. If you don’t, there are a few options to explore. Will you buy a new BBQ grill or choose to opt for disposables? There are plenty of good things about investing in your own BBQ, so think about how much use you would get out of one. It will be easier to cater for larger groups with a big, sturdy grill. It might be a good idea to think about getting a BBQ smoker, instead of a grill, just for a different option. There are a great range of reliable BBQ smokers for all occasions on the market. So you could look into those. They are a little less bulky than a grill, so you might find that is better to have for storage reasons.
Will your party have a theme? It doesn’t need to be it something that is worth considering. Either way, it could help you to choose a few decorations. As you are outside it is a little tricky to decorate too much, but there are a few things that would work for you. Getting some paper lanterns and stringing them up can look so pretty. Tie them to two different trees and have them be the main decoration. It just adds a different dimension to the garden and it looks so striking. If you wanted something else, you could get some fairy lights that are suitable for the outdoors. They could be placed around a fence or near to where you will be eating. So if your party goes on until the evening, they can be switched on and add a touch of sparkle. Balloons are also a great, low budget option to make the space look extra special. They aren’t decorations but making sure the garden is tidy and the grass has been cut, is always a great idea.
With the date, time and decorations thought of; it is a good idea to think of the menu. As I have said, a BBQ party is quite chilled out. So it doesn’t need to be too planned out. You will just need to know the things that you need to buy. This will be determined by the number of people you have invited but also on the budget you have set aside for the party. On the whole, I think BBQ parties are some of the least inexpensive parties that you can have. Other than the meat, the other food and decorations don’t cost a lot. If you are going to be inviting a lot of people, it might be worth thinking about making it a potluck event. I find that people are more than happy to contribute. It still makes for an inexpensive afternoon or night out for them.
Think about getting a variety of meats and then a vegetarian option too. Then rolls, bread and a few different salad options are a must. You could ask people to being a plate of meat each or assign out people to bring different salads or rolls. Having food that is as low maintenance as possible is a great idea. You are going to be outside, so things that will good for a while outside is key. The only source of heat is the BBQ so you only want to cook the meat on that ideally. So have the side dishes be cold things, rather than anything that needs to be heated.
Desserts are a must at a party, right? Again, think about what will survive the best outside. Things like cheesecake might not be the best option as they need to be refrigerated for quite a while. Things that people can grab and go is a good idea too. So brownies, cupcakes and cookies are all great options.
Along with the food, it is a good idea to plan the drinks. You could ask people to bring drinks with them, or you could plan it all. Making a large bowl of punch is a great idea, especially in summer. You can make it fruity and full of summer flavours. This is a fun thing to have with kids around too, so you could have a non-alcoholic version. It is also a great idea to have plenty of water and soft drinks available. If it is a hot day outside, people will want to keep cool. Something that you might not have thought of is keeping the drinks cool. Having a few bags of ice handy is important. You can then fill buckets or boxes with ice and put drinks in them to keep cool. The ice will melt eventually but the water will stay cold for quite a while.
One of the final things to do, closer to the event, is think about the setup of the party. Will you be sat around a table outside or will it be more of a picnic style? Either way, you need to think about having enough seating for the number of guests you have invited. You might need to get a few more chairs, or borrow them from a friend or neighbour. If you are choosing a picnic option, then make sure you have enough blankets to spread out outside. Kids might just be happy to sit on the grass, but it just makes it a little more comfortable to have a blanket available for them to sit on.
It is a good idea to have a little bit of a backup plan. If you have planned the party a few weeks in advance, you will know the weather forecast a few days before. If it is going to be a bit cold or wet outside, then having a backup plan is a great idea. Would it be possible to bring the party inside? Could you use a grill instead of the bbq or is there space for the BBQ in your kitchen? You can easily bring in your chairs and blankets from outside if you need more spaces to sit inside. So although it is not ideal, it still makes for a great party. Don’t let the weather add any stress to you. You want to be able to sit and enjoy your party like everyone else.
Do you like to throw BBQ parties in the summer months? What are your best tips for having a great party in your home or garden?
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