Plan a BBQ in 24 Hours
Having a bunch of friends over to grill some hot dogs doesn’t have to be complicated. With these seven bits of advice, you can have a fun backyard BBQ without all the fuss.
[1] Try using an invitation service that is online to invite all your guests. You can send them out in a few minutes and you can receive fast responses right back to see who is coming. Guests can see who else is coming and they can leave a comment. Great tip: you can have a list of things that would be helpful for people to volunteer to bring. It can be anything from food items to games, music, even paper plates or extra chairs.
[2] Concentrate on the outside. Blow all the dirt off the patio and wipe down the tables and then keep everyone outside. If you can, help lead people around the side of the house but stringing twinkle lights and adding some solar-powered tiki torches. Then toss any indoor junk piles into a back bedroom, clean up the kitchen and wipe the bathroom down. Add room fragrances that give off beach scents and dim the lights. Battery-powered tea lights are perfect for atmosphere, even in the bathroom.
[3] Pull out your inside comfort items to the outside. Blankets, pillows, even lamps with an extension cord. Add table cloths. Your deck or patio will instantly feel cozy. If you can do it easily without spending a lot of money, choose a theme.
[4] Buy items like potato salad or baked beans pre-made in bulk and then add a few of your own ingredients. Store bought potato sale can be great with some celery and boiled eggs mixed in and sprinkled with paprika. For meat to grill, choose something easy. You can ask a spouse or friend to do the grilling. Consider grilling some food in advance and then just warming it up, including items like salmon wrapped in foil with herbs and oils that can just steam on the grill. Use some smoke-flavored grill chips and the scent will leave everyone drooling.
[5] Use paper plates and utensils. There are lots of bright colors at the dollar stores that will match your theme.
[6] Locate a teenager who wants to make $10 and let her be in charge of all the childrens entertainment. Set up the kids table and let them do some of their own activities, like making home-made ice cream and then having a toppings bar to choose from. Turn on the sprinkler or let them make a simple craft like sand art. If someone is feeling adventurous a treasure hunt prepared in advance is sure to be a hit with all ages.
[7] Skip fancy drinks, and provide a variety of sodas (don’t forget root beer and orange cream soda) and sparkling water. Have juice boxes for the kids. Throw a plastic table cloth over a wheel barrow or other bucket, dump in ice and arrange. Sit out a large self-serve container of unsweetened ice tea with some ice cubes pre-made with black berries and mint leaves inside for a fancy effect.
And lastly, remember to have fun and actually have some conversations with people. Refuse to play the role of the hostess who never sits down. Instead, ask your friends for help getting things ready and then let everyone relax, yourself included. Leave the clean up until tomorrow.
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