With barbeque season finally upon us, now is the perfect time to start thinking about those all-important barbeque bashes you may have missed last year--Memorial Day, Father's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day--any day, really!, There is no better way to entertain during the summer months than dining al fresco, inviting friends and family over for a casual get-together and making the most of beautiful sunsets and cool summer nights.
With that in mind, we came up with six impressive ways to help you throw an amazing barbeque.
With that in mind, we came up with six impressive ways to help you throw an amazing barbeque.
Six Tips For Hosting An Impressive Summer Barbeque
1. Choose Your Invites
Unless it's a special occasion, such as a wedding, shower or anniversary, a formal invitation to a barbeque is not necessary. However, getting your invitation out should NOT be last minute! You can invite friends via social media, an evite or an informal snail mail invitation. Be sure to give at least 3 weeks notice and request an RSVP, especially if you are inviting them to join you on a major holiday.
And listen, between you, me and the lamp post--there's nothing wrong with asking your guests to B.Y.O.B., or to bring a dessert! Everyone knows that a barbeque is casual get together with friends, so if they offer to bring something, take them up on it!
2. Keep The Menu Simple
Barbeques aren’t designed to be prim and proper, they are designed to be casual and friendly! Make sure this is your goal when hosting yours. Try not to go overboard with food options, but make sure there's something for everyone. For example, if you have vegetarian guests, check out these 32 vegetarian barbeque recipes from Delish. Your food should be quality, so be sure to purchase cuts of meat that are optimal for barbecuing. Pork and beef ribs smoked low and slow, New York strip steaks slathered in a dry rub, boneless chicken breasts tenderized and marinaded, and hamburgers and hot dogs (natch!) should be on the menu. As for sides, stick with tradition! Potato salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw, corn on the cob and pork and beans complement any barbeque! Check out our recipe for Elote (Mexican Street Corn):
1. Choose Your Invites
Unless it's a special occasion, such as a wedding, shower or anniversary, a formal invitation to a barbeque is not necessary. However, getting your invitation out should NOT be last minute! You can invite friends via social media, an evite or an informal snail mail invitation. Be sure to give at least 3 weeks notice and request an RSVP, especially if you are inviting them to join you on a major holiday.
And listen, between you, me and the lamp post--there's nothing wrong with asking your guests to B.Y.O.B., or to bring a dessert! Everyone knows that a barbeque is casual get together with friends, so if they offer to bring something, take them up on it!
2. Keep The Menu Simple
Barbeques aren’t designed to be prim and proper, they are designed to be casual and friendly! Make sure this is your goal when hosting yours. Try not to go overboard with food options, but make sure there's something for everyone. For example, if you have vegetarian guests, check out these 32 vegetarian barbeque recipes from Delish. Your food should be quality, so be sure to purchase cuts of meat that are optimal for barbecuing. Pork and beef ribs smoked low and slow, New York strip steaks slathered in a dry rub, boneless chicken breasts tenderized and marinaded, and hamburgers and hot dogs (natch!) should be on the menu. As for sides, stick with tradition! Potato salad, macaroni salad, coleslaw, corn on the cob and pork and beans complement any barbeque! Check out our recipe for Elote (Mexican Street Corn):
3. Provide Plenty Of Seating
No matter where you host your barbeque, be it your backyard, deck or patio, It’s always important to provide plenty of seating. Make sure there is a chair for every guest so no one is left standing or squatting, balancing their plate of food on their lap. Group seating in odd numbers for conversation and socializing, and be sure the majority of seating is shaded. While we clearly suggest you keep your barbeque simple, if lack of seating is a problem, look into renting tables and chairs for the day. According to chairandtablerentals.com, chair rentals can cost as little as $1.25 each for simple, plastic folding chairs, and 4-foot rectangular tables can cost about $6 each. These seat about six people, so the whole arrangement averages about $13.50 per table. Not too shabby!
No matter where you host your barbeque, be it your backyard, deck or patio, It’s always important to provide plenty of seating. Make sure there is a chair for every guest so no one is left standing or squatting, balancing their plate of food on their lap. Group seating in odd numbers for conversation and socializing, and be sure the majority of seating is shaded. While we clearly suggest you keep your barbeque simple, if lack of seating is a problem, look into renting tables and chairs for the day. According to chairandtablerentals.com, chair rentals can cost as little as $1.25 each for simple, plastic folding chairs, and 4-foot rectangular tables can cost about $6 each. These seat about six people, so the whole arrangement averages about $13.50 per table. Not too shabby!
4. Choose A Playlist
No barbeque is complete without a good playlist of music to have in the background. Music has the power to set the mood so make sure you choose something upbeat to keep a casual and relaxed atmosphere. Take the time to create a playlist that you know your guests will enjoy, and keep it playing through the night. Not sure what to play? Try these playlists on for size:
5. Stock The Bar
Did we mention that no barbeque is complete without decent music? Well, you'll need to stock a decent bar, too! While you certainly don't need to provide hard liquor per se, you will need to stock the basics: Beer, wine, soda and bottled water; slices of lemons, limes and oranges, cocktail napkins and drink stirrers. Make sure there are a few bottle openers and corkscrews handy, and, of course, plenty of disposable drink glasses. Oh, and don't forget the ice!
Want to try something neat? Create a signature drink just for the occasion! For example, a sweet, tasty sangria could be named "The Labor Day", and a virgin cocktail for the kids can be called "First day of School"!
No barbeque is complete without a good playlist of music to have in the background. Music has the power to set the mood so make sure you choose something upbeat to keep a casual and relaxed atmosphere. Take the time to create a playlist that you know your guests will enjoy, and keep it playing through the night. Not sure what to play? Try these playlists on for size:
- The Cookout on Spotify
- 47 Songs Every Cookout Needs
- Cookout Essentials on Apple Music
- Tropical House Radio 24/7 on YouTube
5. Stock The Bar
Did we mention that no barbeque is complete without decent music? Well, you'll need to stock a decent bar, too! While you certainly don't need to provide hard liquor per se, you will need to stock the basics: Beer, wine, soda and bottled water; slices of lemons, limes and oranges, cocktail napkins and drink stirrers. Make sure there are a few bottle openers and corkscrews handy, and, of course, plenty of disposable drink glasses. Oh, and don't forget the ice!
Want to try something neat? Create a signature drink just for the occasion! For example, a sweet, tasty sangria could be named "The Labor Day", and a virgin cocktail for the kids can be called "First day of School"!
6. Play Some Games
I'm gonna go out on a limb here but I'm guessing that your barbeque guest list is probably going to include a few little ones as well. Keep the kiddos entertained by providing games and activities that not only the kids can play, but the grown ups can join in as well. If space allows, set up a net for a fun game of volleyball or badminton. Lawn darts, cornhole and lawn bowling are fun, too!
I'm gonna go out on a limb here but I'm guessing that your barbeque guest list is probably going to include a few little ones as well. Keep the kiddos entertained by providing games and activities that not only the kids can play, but the grown ups can join in as well. If space allows, set up a net for a fun game of volleyball or badminton. Lawn darts, cornhole and lawn bowling are fun, too!
  Yard Dice Set with 6 Dice, 2 Dry Erase Yardkle / Yardzee Boards with 2 Marker Pens and Carrying Bag, amazon.com |
  Portable PVC Framed Cornhole Toss Game Set with 8 Bean Bags and Travel Carrying Case, amazon.com |
Have an artistic teen handy? Set up a face painting station and ask them them to do a little face painting on the kids. They can also man an ice cream bar or a decorate-your own-cookie bar as well!
Try Something A Little Different...
Drive those ho-hum hot dogs right into Flavortown by giving them a complete makeover! Check out this infographic on 30 Creative Hot Dog Toppings for a Next-Level Cookout from sheknows.com. Holy yum-o!
We hope these ideas inspired you to put together a barbeque before the summer season ends. As you can see it doesn't take much to entertain your family and friends. Good food + good friends always = a great time!
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