Summertime is BBQ season and the perfect time to fire up the grill and invite friends and family over for a barbecue. Whether you're a pro at grilling or this is your first time hosting a BBQ, there are a few things you should do to plan the perfect event.
In this blog post, we'll walk you through everything you need to do to plan the perfect BBQ, from sending out invitations and preparing the food and drink, to thinking about games, and the little extras like keeping bugs at bay and lighting the grill.
So, keep reading for our top tips on how to plan a BBQ party that your guests will be raving about long after the last burger has been eaten!
The Plan
The first step in organizing any barbecue party is to do a little bit of planning, and we recommend you put a "To Do" list together as it'll help to keep you on track and not forget anything.
As parties can be expensive, you certainly don't need to do everything outlined in this blog post, and of course, you can get your friends and family to help out by bringing a little bit each to contribute.
You'll need to choose the right location. If you're hosting a small gathering, your backyard might be the perfect spot. But if you're inviting a large group of people, it might not be, depending on where you live, and you might want to consider renting a space at a public park or beach. Just make sure to pick a location that has easy access to restrooms and picnic tables.
Now that you have your location picked out, you'll need to decide on the right date and time. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important to pick a date and time that will work for both you and your guests (e.g., often during school vacation dates families go away so if that's the case with your friends then bear it in mind). You'll also want to make sure you give yourself enough time to get everything ready.
At the same time that you're working out when to have your BBQ party, it's time to start thinking about who you want to invite. Make sure to create a guest list early on so you can get an accurate headcount for how much food you'll need to buy.
The Invitations
Once you know where and when you're having your BBQ party, it's time to start making your guest list.
If you're planning a small gathering, you might not need to do much more than send out some texts or emails or make a few simple phone calls. But if you're inviting a lot of people, you might want to create an event on Facebook or another social media platform so people can easily RSVP.
If you really wanted something more formal you can either create your own invitations using word processing software or an online service like Evite, or you can purchase pre-made invitations at your local party store. When creating your invitations, be sure to include all of the important information about the event, such as the reason for the party (is it a birthday, or just because?), date, time, and location. Don't forget to include your contact information in case your guests have any questions and ask them to RSVP.
The Menu
Now that you've sent out your invitations, it's time to start thinking about what you're going to serve at your BBQ.
If you're not sure where to start, consider asking your guests if they have any dietary restrictions or food allergies. This will help you narrow down your menu options.
Once you've taken dietary restrictions into account, it's time to start planning your menu. A good BBQ menu should include a variety of options so that there's something for everyone. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Burgers (hamburgers are the most popular BBQ food), but you could do veggie burgers too if you have any vegetarians in the group
- Hot dogs and/or sausages
- Other grilled meat for your main dish such as chicken (drumsticks, or thighs in a nice marinade), beef steaks, or if you have a pellet smoker then large, amazing cuts of meat like brisket or pork and beef ribs!
- Grilled veggies such as corn on the cob, or kebab style or grilled in a veggie tray
- Coleslaw and potato salad, veggie platters or other side dishes
- Fruit, such as freshly cut up watermelon, strawberries, grapes, fresh pineapple, or grilled pineapple
- Tubs of ice cream and cones.
DRINKS! Depending on the party, if people are bringing their own then as a responsible host you should provide plenty of water and alternatives such as juice, a pitcher of lemonade, soda, a pitcher of iced tea, or a non-alcohol punch. If you're really feeling festive you can even break out the margarita mix and make a batch of frozen margaritas! Just be sure to have plenty of non-alcoholic options on hand as well.
If you're providing alcoholic drinks, then wine and beer are the standard go-to, but of course, you could mix pitches of alcoholic cocktails or punches, or anything else you fancy.
SNACKS! Don't forget about snacks as they are all important too, especially if you're running a little behind on your grilling (you don't want hangry guests, particularly if there's alcohol involved!). This could be as simple as crisps with dip, or a little fancier, such as cut-up veggie sticks from carrots and cucumber with hummus dip, and cheese/meat/seafood platters with crackers, olives, and the possibilities just go on and on...
Whatever you do, make sure you have enough for everyone! If you're not sure how much food to prepare, there are plenty of online calculators that can help you figure out how much you'll need based on the number of guests you're expecting.
We recommend you prepare your food in advance, as things can pop up last minute which can take you away from what you thought you'd be doing. Marinading meats and side dish prep can begin the night before the big day, and veggie prep and snacks can be prepped in the morning of the party.
The Setup
There are a bunch of setup steps that you should consider for a great BBQ party, some of which include the following:
- Consider if you're going to put up any decorations (for instance if there's a theme or if it's a birthday BBQ).
- Music is a must, so put a good playlist together of your favorite tunes, or use Spotify or YouTube to get one if you don't have the time or inclination to do it yourself. Or of course, you could enlist the help of someone else who will attend, by delegating this responsibility. Depending on where you are having your BBQ party you could use Bluetooth speakers connected to a phone for the music, and if you don't have any then ask a mate - somebody will!
- Consider heating. If it's going to be cold out, then outdoor electric or propane gas heaters or a fire pit are great, and blankets or throws are good too.
- Lighting. If your party is going to flow into the night, then consider lighting as it's not just a great way for everybody to see in front of themselves but it also creates a great ambiance. String up some twinkly lights or use outdoor candles (some of the multi-colored LED options are really good).
- Chairs and tables, bean bags, and picnic mats are great ways to keep people comfortable.
- You'll need to consider plates, cups, and cutlery. If it's a larger party then paper/recyclable options are likely to be practical, and are easy to clean up at the end.
- The little things, like mosquito repellent, citronella candles, and Fly Aways are effective ways to keep your guests feeling the love (and comfortable).
- Make sure your grill is clean and working properly before the big day, and also check you've got enough fuel for it (e.g., charcoal, propane, natural gas, or pellets depending on your grill type). This will reduce pressure for you on the day and will help ensure the food off the grill is delicious and looking good!
The Entertainment
There's nothing like bringing out the competitive streak in your mates with a few games!
Jenga (great to play on a table), connect 4, and outdoor lawn games like skittles, ring toss, horseshoes, twister, cornhole, croquet, or petanque (if you're fancy!) will help keep not only the children entertained but also the adults.
If you or a mate is good at a musical instrument such as the guitar, harp, or ukulele then consider having it close at hand to add an extra special element to your BBQ party.
The Aftermath
After everyone has had their fill of delicious BBQ goodness and most of the guests have left, it's time for the dreaded task of cleaning up afterward.
You might not be up for it until the next day, but if you can manage it at the end of the party, thankfully, with a little bit of advance planning (and maybe some assistance from a couple of close friends), cleanup doesn't have to be so bad!
First things first: if you're using paper plates and plastic utensils, now is the time to throw them away, straight into garbage bags. Otherwise, start loading everything else into the dishwasher—grill tongs and spatulas included! Any pots or pans used during meal prep can go in there as well although they might need to wait until a second round.
Put away any open containers of food so it doesn't go off or end up with a bug or two in them and sweep up any mess. Turn off your gas tank or pellet smoker, or ensure your charcoal grill is safely cooling down and isn't a potential fire hazard.
And There You Have It!
Depending on how many people or how special you want it to be, planning and throwing successful BBQ parties can take quite a lot of effort, but it's worth it! By following these simple tips, you'll be on your way to throwing an unforgettable summer bash that your friends and family will be talking about for years to come!
And don't forget the most important step of all: enjoy yourself, although of course remember to be a responsible host and to keep all of your guests (particularly any children) watered, fed, entertained, and safe, and take plenty of photos!