May 29, 2011. Paul Hixon
If you are planning a nice summertime barbeque it can be fun and a great social event for family and friends. All you need is some hamburger fixings and patties, a charcoal grill, cool drinks, and good company.
Setting up for your barbeque is easy. Make sure that there is enough food for everyone attending. Hamburgers and hot dogs are great easy ways to feed lots of people, precut the fixings like lettuce and tomatoes for your guests. Potato chips or potato salad are common side dishes that you can make quickly. Also, cupcakes or pineapple cake is a great light dessert to make for your guests. If you don’t have time to prepare all the food for your barbeque, ask guests to bring a dish like a pot luck. This is a great way to save you time and save you the energy of cleaning up.
You also want to be sure to clean off your outdoor tables and sweep your deck or patio. If there is yard maintenance like lawn mowing or leave raking that needs to be done this should be completed the day before your planned get together. Clean off outdoor lights in case your party lasts well into the night – check that they are still working, as sensitive ones like patio umbrella lights can be affected by the elements. Focus the outdoor deck lighting over the eating and cooking areas, offer an area of your yard without lighting which will serve as a star gazing area.
Find some great group games that can be played after the meal is eaten. Sports games like soccer or touch football are great choices. Or you can bring out board games both inside and outside for the people who don’t feel like running so much after their homemade meal.
Having a successful barbeque is an awesome way to bring good family and good friends closer together on a summer day. With a few preparation steps you can make your barbeque unforgettable.
Updated May 29, 2011. Published January 26, 2011. Paul Hixon
