- Do all your prepping BEFORE the guests arrive.
The last thing you want is to leave for the store because you forgot something or to still be putting veggies on skewers instead of greeting your guests at the door.
Get these things ready ahead of time:
- Clean the patio/backyard so it’s ready for mingling
- Set up the lawn games
- Have enough charcoal or propane on hand
- Prep and season the food for grilling
- Have a table for side dishes your guests bring
- Pre-mix your cocktails/mocktails
- Chill canned and bottled beverages
- Ask guests to bring side dishes.
If your friends are like mine, without specific instructions, the party ends up with 15 bags of chips and not a single side dish to go with the mains. My tip is to have a signup list and communicate it to your guests.
Here’s an example (I do group chats with my friends): I’m so excited for you all to come to my BBQ party on (date and time). Please sign up for a side dish to bring. You’re welcome to bring something that’s not on this list.
- Mac and cheese
- Veggie tray
- Fruit salad
- Potato salad
- Pickle wraps
- S’mores supplies
- And the theme is . . .
Having a theme gets your guests excited to dress up for something and for you to grab fun decorations. The pictures turn out great too. If you want to be extra, have a photo booth station with props!
Theme ideas:
- Red, white and blue
- Under the sea
- Denim
- Western
- The little things.
Even the littlest things can affect someone’s enjoyment of a party. If you have those little things taken care of for your guests, then they won’t have to worry about it.
What are the little things?
- Sunscreen. Have a station where guests can grab this at will. Sunburn doesn’t just ruin the day. They’ll feel it for the next week!
- Condiments. You’ve got the burgers, but what about the ketchup? Have a condiment station ready to go by the
side dishes.
- Bugs. Prepare bug spray and a citronella candle to keep away those pesky beasts.
- More bugs. If you’ll have food sitting out, cover it. Flies and ants can smell your meal from miles away!
- Don’t forget to have fun too!
Sometimes as a host, we focus so much on making everything “perfect” that we forget the point is to have a good time. Don’t stress too much if something catches on fire or if things don’t pan out exactly as you pictured it. If you’re having fun, the guests will too! ::
