Oh, it’s getting hot outside! And the start of the summer holiday season is fast approaching. Summer + Outdoors= Barbecue season. The warm weather make the summer the best time to fire up the grill and barbecue. We love to barbecue. With the first holiday of the summer next week, Memorial Day weekend, my husband and I are gearing up to start barbecuing and having family and friends over for summer barbecue parties.
Having a barbecue party takes planning and teamwork. Now, honestly, in our household, I am the grill master and the husband is the grill starter. We had to learn what our strengths were to work as a team and to keep frustration down before the guests arrived.
One thing that has helped us is to create a barbecue party to do list. Even tho we are seasoned bbq’ers, we still refer to the list to make sure we have everything we need and each of us knows what we are responsible for doing.
Barbecue Party Checklist
- Create a guest list and send out invites. You can send invites via Facebook (create an event), via text message, phone call, or send invitations.
- Decide on your menu. Keep in mind any dietary needs of your guests. Shop early to afford last minute shopping or forgetting key ingredients.
- Check to make sure you have enough charcoal or propane gas for your grill. If not, purchase the items to have before the day of the party.
- Make sure you have the paper products for the party: plates, napkins, cups, forks and spoons, etc.
- Purchase the decorations, if applicable.
- Make sure you have enough seating for all your guests outdoors.
- Pull out the table umbrellas and make sure they are still operable.
- Put the gazebos, if applicable.
- Mow the lawn.
- Spray the lawn to get rid of any pests and help control mosquitoes.
- Clean the grill.
- Put up outside lights to illuminate the area once it gets dark.
Hosting a BBQ party at your house is so much fun but can also be a lot of work and it gives you the chance to entertain and fellowship with other couples and families. If you guys work together and tackle the to do list together, no one will feel overwhelmed.
Have fun hosting BBQ parties and work as team!
How do you prepare to host friends and family at your house for a BBQ party?
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
LOL., I love that you added mow the lawn in there 🙂 Great list.
Still Dating My Spouse says
Robin, some people forget to do that! LOL Thanks for stopping by
lisa jones says
All Great Ideas Will Be Using Them All For Sure With My Next Outdoor Party Thanks!
Jen V says
This is a wonderful checklist! The only thing I do differently is we use citronella torches to help control mosquitoes since we are on a well and don’t spray our lawn.
Debbie Denny says
Kingsford is the best. Love the ideas.
Diane @ Philzendia says
We have a huge barbecue party every summer where we invite around 60 guests. Your checklist sounds similar to ours except we actually have to put up a huge tent.
Liz Mays says
I need to get some outdoor lights. I always forget that part!
Jennifer B says
Thanks for this great checklist! We love to BBQ too and this will come in handy this summer!
Sandra says
Some fun ideas and made me excited for barbecue season!
Pam says
Great tips! There’s nothing like a cookout to bring people together.
Laura (Lauras Little House Tips) says
I loved this post. It’s perfect for staying organized. I love how you each have strength’s and know it. I am sure my bbq’s will go smoothly thanks to you 🙂
maria @ close to home says
So funny I just posted about making ribs today. This is the time of year we have all been waiting for.
Mandi says
We always barbecue but never party. Lol! It sounds like so much fun. We need to go make some friends and do it.
Cynthia L says
Love the list and love Kinsford. It is the only charcoal I will use!
Annie {Stowed Stuff} says
Great list – that bag of charcoal reminds me SO MUCH of my father and my childhood. Nothing better than the smell of that charcoal grill!
Lexie Lane says
Very detailed steps lol! I know we’ll definitely have lots of this in the Summer!
Amanda says
Nothing says summer like a BBQ! Simple but important tips!
Aly Mashrah says
I love BBQ parties, they are always so much fun. They are a lot of work though, so it’s best to get a team and divide the work!
Debi says
With summer coming we do a lot of BBQ parties. Thanks for the tips.
Mommy2jam says
What great tips for planning a barbecue party. I really appreciate all the tips. Thanks for sharing