These are the best summer events. By hosting a barbecue in your backyard, you can enjoy yourself a lot and have unforgettable memories. You can have the best backyard party ever for all your relatives and friends if you plan carefully and organize accordingly.
This inclusive guide will take you through all the necessary steps to throw an amazing BBQ party in your own backyard.
Preparing for the Party
The first thing that you need to take into consideration is adequate preparation, which is necessary in order to make the party flawless. Here are some things to consider before holding this big event.
Food Prep
- It goes without saying that when it comes to BBQ, food is king. Make sure you have the right grill equipment and accessories. Depending on whether you’re using a gas or charcoal grill, stock up on briquettes or propane. Some of these items include grilling utensils, oven mitts, trays, etc.
- Do grocery shopping early enough and do as much preparation ahead as possible: chop vegetables, marinate meat, and prepare other side dishes like salads, among others. This will save you time and stress on the actual party day. Having as much prepped in advance will allow you to better enjoy time with your guests.
Checking Supplies
- Additionally, stock up on party must-haves apart from food. Do you have sufficient plates, cups, utensils, and napkins for all your visitors? For self-service drinks, ensure that you have coolers, ice buckets, and pitchers, among others. Make sure you have enough seating arrangements, plus dining tables. Include citronella candles, bug spray, and sunscreen in this check. Ensuring that you have these items before the party can help expedite everything.
Asking for Help with Side Dishes
- Organizing a backyard BBQ is not an easy task. You can ask relatives and friends to bring along some side servings and desserts so as to distribute the workload among many people. This will enable you to concentrate on grilling the main dish while providing a variety of other things that your guests will relish on their tongues.
- You may want to coordinate so there is a nice assortment and no duplicate dishes. Some great shareable sides for BBQs include pasta salads, coleslaw, baked beans, cornbread, fruit salad, and summer veggies like corn on the cob.
Setting Up Decorations
- The heart of your celebration can be created by using decor. Hang some strings of light around patios, trees, and fences, or put up candles and lanterns. For table centerpieces, use sunflowers, daisies, or other happy-looking flowers. If a fall barbeque is coming up, place out some little pumpkins, gourds, hay bales, and other autumn décor.
- For fun and casual flair, decorate with things like checkered tablecloths; mason jar drinks dispensers, and woven baskets to hold napkins and utensils. Place personalized chalkboard signs near food and drinks to label offerings. Simple touches like decorations make a backyard party warm and welcoming.
Drinks and Snacks
Beverages and snacks are another huge part of a BBQ bash. Consider these tips for quenching guests’ thirst and hunger for the whole party.
· Variety for All Ages
- Not all guests will enjoy alcoholic drinks, so provide lots of fun non-alcoholic beverages, too. Great options include lemonade, iced tea, sparkling water with fruit, juices, and soda. For kids, add a dispenser of chocolate or strawberry milk.
- Have plenty of ice, lemons/limes, and garnishes so guests can customize their own beverages. For adult drinks, give classic summer choices like margaritas, sangria, beer, and rosé wine.
· Mocktails and Cocktails
- For those partaking in alcoholic drinks, offer a signature backyard BBQ cocktail. Refreshing summer mocktails and cocktails guests will love include:
- Watermelon Mint Mojitos: Muddled watermelon and mint with lime juice, sugar and soda water
- Blackberry Smash: Blackberries, lemon juice, ginger beer
- Peach Sangria: White wine, peach slices, triple sec and orange juice
- Backyard Lemonade: Vodka, lemon juice, sugar and strawberries
Provide the ingredients so guests can mix and garnish their own drinks to taste. Set up a drink station with pre-mixed beverages or ingredients so guests can serve themselves. Provide festive drink stirrers, straws, and cocktail umbrellas.
In addition to beverages, put out some light salty snacks for guests to munch on. Great BBQ snacks include chips and dip, popcorn, nuts, pretzels, and finger sandwiches. Replace empty bowls and replenish snacks as needed throughout your party.
Entertainment
Beyond food and drinks, the entertainment you provide will keep your BBQ bash lively and fun.
Yard Games
Get some classic backyard games going for some friendly competition. Great options include:
- Ladder toss/ball toss
- Cornhole
- Croquet
- Horseshoes
- KanJam
Scatter games around the yard so people can freely play and rotate around throughout the party.
Mix Up The Grilling Menu
Try to add something more than usual: hot dogs and hamburgers. Throw some fun grilling twists into your BBQ spread:
- Grilled pizza with inventive toppings
- Barbecue chicken wings or legs
- Grilled shrimp, fish, or lobster tails
- Vegetable skewers like zucchini and squash
The possibilities on the grill are endless! Get creative with marinades and global flavors to give guests an extra tasty experience.
Desserts and Theme
A backyard BBQ bash should have a fun dessert spread. Themes also add a nice touch.
S’mores Station
Prepare a warm and welcoming s’mores station where all the guests can toast marshmallows over an open fire and make their own s’mores towards the end of the party. Make sure you have graham crackers, chocolate bars, and marshmallow roasting sticks, among other items that make up s’mores.
Simple Summer Desserts
Cool off with easy no-bake summer desserts like:
- Fruit salad
- Puddings and parfaits
- Ice cream bar with toppings
- Handheld ice cream sandwiches
- Frozen yogurt bites
- Berry tarts
- Chocolate dipped fruit
Choosing a Theme
Picking a fun theme for your BBQ can help shape the food, drinks, music, and decor. Summer themes like a luau, fiesta, carnival, or beach bash instantly set a playful mood.
More ideas including:
- Decade themes like 80’s or 90’s party
- Black & white attire only
- Hawaiian shirts or cowboy hats for fun dress code
- Childhood sleepover theme with nostalgic music, games, and snacks
Get creative with your BBQ bash theme!
Conclusion
Hosting a fantastic backyard BBQ party takes some work but pays off with summer fun for all. Prepare tasty grilled foods, provide plentiful drinks, set up games and decorations, and throw in some unique touches like desserts and themes.
Keep safety and comfort in mind so all your guests can relax and make lasting summer memories together. With this backyard bash guide, you’re ready to fire up the grill and throw an incredible BBQ fiesta this summer!
