Spring is in the air. That means that it is time to start thinking about getting outside and entertaining guests at your home. This is also a great opportunity to start thinking about gathering your friends and family for a backyard BBQ to kick off the grilling season. Here are five tips to help you to plan the perfect backyard BBQ.
Make a Plan
The key to a successful BBQ is proper planning. Once you have your date set and the invites issued, it is time to start thinking of the details of the event. Begin this process by setting a budget. Having this in mind will assist you to make the best decisions as you plan the menu.
An online BBQ planning calculator will help you to determine how much food that you need. You can then make your grocery list. A to-do checklist will serve as a guide in the days leading up to the party so that you can prioritize what needs to get done and when.
Prep Food Prior
You should be able to enjoy your own BBQ. Rather than spending all of your time in your kitchen, be sure to prep as much food as possible prior to the start of the party. For example, having your hamburger patties ready to go on the grill will ensure that you are not tied to the kitchen when your guests begin to arrive.
You should also consider asking all of your guests to bring a side dish. This will cut out a substantial amount of work for you as the host while also making your guests feel more involved. Putting out some appetizers at the start of the event will keep everyone happy while the main entrees are cooking up on the grill. This will take the pressure off of you to rush to get the food out on the table.
Consider Guest Comforts
As a host, it is your job to make sure that your guests are comfortable during the entirety of the event. Start with ensuring that you have plenty of comfortable seating and eating surfaces. If you know that it will get chilly later in the evening, it is a good idea to have a heat source ready to go. A basket of blankets is also a good thing to have on hand.
You also need to consider bug control if you live in a climate prone to these critters. Mosquito control Houston TX is a good investment of your home improvement dollar. This type of bug control includes the use of professionally installed misting systems that pair with monthly fogging options to ensure that your backyard will be free of these bugs.
Set Up Games and Entertainment
When all of the food is put away, you are going to want to keep the party going with some entertainment. Depending on the size of your yard, consider setting up a volleyball or pickleball net. Other good yard game ideas include horseshoes, croquet, bocce ball, spike ball, and cornhole.
If you are inviting children, be sure that you have plenty of age-appropriate games and entertainment ideas for them. Bubbles, hula hoops, and sidewalk chalk are all easy and affordable items to pick up before the BBQ.
Create a Fun Vibe
There are a number of ways that you can create a fun and lively vibe for your backyard BBQ. How you set the scene will go a long way in delivering a festive time for your guests. Music is a powerful way to enhance the atmosphere at the event.
While you do not need to go all out with decorations for a simple BBQ, the right lighting will help to create the look that you are looking for. Tiki torches, string lights, and outdoor candles are all good ideas to set the mood. Not only will this lighting provide an aesthetically pleasing element to your BBQ, but it will also deliver a functional purpose as the sun begins to set.
These five tips will help you to make the most out of the grilling season. As a bonus, you will be able to reconnect with friends and family while soaking up time in the great outdoors.
