When hosting a barbecue party, you get the chance to invite your family, neighbors, friends, and even colleagues at work. There is nothing as exciting as having the people you hold dear to your heart in one venue.
Preparing for a successful party can be stressful as you will want yours to be the best. Here, we shall share tips on how you can make your barbecue party fun and leave your guest happy.
Choose the Location and Timing Wisely
When it comes to picking the ideal location to host your barbecue party, there is no need to stress. Your backyard can work perfectly for the occasion. The backyard should be big enough to accommodate every guest you have on the list. Also, it should have some free space to act as a children’s play area.
If your backyard can’t handle the number, you can consider taking the event outside, in a campground, or park. One limitation that comes with using a park, for example, is that you can’t have the event run overnight. Being in your backyard feels extra safe and is convenient.
When choosing the timing for your barbecue, going for a weekend or a public holiday works well. Choosing perfect timing means that most of the guests will be available hence making the event a success. Also, remember to notify all your guests in advance to give them ample time to prepare.
Remember to Add Some Side Dishes
While your smoked beef brisket will be the star of the show, you can add some accompanying sides to surprise your guests. Some of the common sides for brisket that will complement your beef perfectly include; baked beans, spare ribs and grilled corn. The dishes are easy to prepare and can transform the entire barbecue into something exciting. You can check for recipes on how to prepare these meals like a pro.
Do you have the Right Grill? Do you have enough Propane or Charcoal for the Occasion?
Having the right grill is the secret to having a successful BBQ party. You don’t want to invite everyone you know only to disappoint them with poorly-cooked meat or burgers. Therefore, investing in a quality grill for the occasion should be among your first steps. Grills come in different designs and choosing the right one might be confusing. Luckily, you can go through grill reviews to have an idea of what you need. The reviews should help you understand how the different designs work. It will be easier to narrow down your search to one that matches your intended use with the info.
Propane or gas?
Propane grills are very convenient when it comes to grilling. You should consider checking that you have enough propane or charcoal to run through the entire occasion. Confirming that you have enough propane saves you the embarrassment of making runs to the gas station to refill while your burgers are left half-cooked on a cold grill.
Prep your Food Before the Guests Arrive
You don’t want your guests to arrive while forming burger patties and chopping tomatoes and lettuce.
It will help if you have everything ready to go on the grill when the guests start arriving. The side dishes should also be assembled, cooked, and out on display before your first guest arrives. Prepping everything early allows more time to bond with everyone. Therefore, if you need an extra hand to get things ready, don’t hesitate to reach out to avoid embarrassment.
Consider Other Logistics
Many people prepare well for the grilling session only to forget the important part, other logistics. After confirming the number of people attending, you should go ahead and shop for the utensils and plates you need. Don’t settle the exact number as the number can increase when the party starts.
Also, don’t forget to throw in some good music to keep the party going. Some wireless Bluetooth speakers can work ok for outdoor use.
Some Decorative Outside Lights Never Go Wrong
When the party gets lively, you won’t notice how the hours pass, and soon it will be dark all over.
Don’t force your guests to leave the party early, all because it’s dark. It would be best if you considered investing in some tiki torches and decorative backyard lights. If you love BBQs, you can consider installing solar-powered string lights that kick when the sun goes down. With such kind of lighting, both you and your guests won’t even notice how the night comes.
Consider Adding some Yard Games for the Kids
The food, the drinks, and the talks may sound good for you, but not for the little ones.
Kids are restless and find fun in playing. The best way to keep the kids occupied and away from trouble is by organizing outdoor games for them. Simple games, such as horseshoes, tag, scrabble and hide and seek, can keep them busy. The games should be introduced once the visitors arrive so that the kids can get playing while the adults start their drinking and socializing.
Having a barbecue party is exciting. At the same time, it can turn stressful, especially for the host. Mentioned in this article are tips on how to make the entire preparation easy. Read through the article to borrow tips that will see you throw a BBQ party that your guests will live to recall.
Photo by Vincent Keiman
Tom is a lifelong New Jersey resident, Rutgers and FDU alumni and the publisher of The Digest.
