“Summertime and the living is easy…” Did anyone say it better than Ella Fitzgerald?!
Summer is the time where we kick back, relax and enjoy the bounty of the season. And what better way to do that than hosting a BBQ for your friends? If you are eager to entertain this season but don’t know where to start, I’ve got you covered. I have 5 ideas that will help you plan a stress-free summer BBQ that will be a night to remember for you and your friends.
So, are you ready to fire up the grill?
5 Ideas & Tips for a Summer BBQ
1. The Guest List
First thing’s first. You can have a million ideas for your summer BBQ, but the most important thing to start with is the guest list.
Is this an intimate dinner with a few friends or a blow-out summer BBQ party? Both options are great but the planning for each will be very different, so figure out what kind of summer BBQ party you want to throw and come up with your guest list.
And don’t forget to tell people in advance to save the date because people’s summer schedules book up fast!
2. Plan the Menu Ahead of Time
Whether you’re hosting a small or large gathering, a great idea is to plan out the entire meal for your summer BBQ ahead of time. Pick out your recipes, make a list of all the ingredients you will need and either shop or order online. This is a critical step because the last thing you want to be doing is running around at the last minute like a stress bunny. (Trust me…I’ve been there and it’s not fun!)
It’s also ok to ask your guests to bring something. Typically I’ll have my guests bring beverages. You’d be surprised how much wine and beer you can go through at a party. And if you do realize you’ve forgotten something and it’s too late to run out, ask a friend if they can pick it up on the way over. Because you don’t want a scenario where you have delicious cheeseburgers but no ketchup!
Here are some recipes that I love to make:
- Grilled corn with cilantro lime butter
- Grilled peach salad with curry pecans and honey vinaigrette
- Grilled skirt steak with chimichurri
- Grilled seafood skewers
- BBQ grilled chicken
Remember that there’s no pressure to serve up a gourmet meal. If cooking isn’t your strength, then you can’t go wrong even if you’re serving up classic American fare of burgers and hot-dogs, with store made coleslaw and potato salad. The bottom line is your friends will be happy you hosted a gathering. They won’t be disappointed if you’re serving burgers instead of steak and lobster tails.
One last tip: make sure to find out in advance if any of your friends have dietary restrictions so you can plan accordingly for that as well.
3. Enlist a Friend to Help You Prep
If there’s one thing I’ve realized with all of the entertaining I’ve done, it’s that I can’t do it alone! It’s hard to pull off any sort of party, especially if it involves food. So don’t be a martyr. Ask a good friend to come over to help. (I will sometimes do this even when my husband is pitching in as well. The more hands on deck, the smoother the lead up to the party.)
Have fun with it. If your friend comes over early, open a bottle of wine, put on some good tunes and start tackling your to-do list as you get ready for your party. Before you know it, you’ll be dancing in the kitchen while you cut up your veggies!
4. Set the Mood with Décor, Table Settings, and a Great Playlist
This might actually be my favorite part of entertaining. I love setting up for a party. Setting the mood makes everything feel more special. This is an idea that goes for your summer BBQ or any other kind of party you’re hosting.
Small details can go a long way. Add some colorful pillows to your outdoor furniture. Make a big flower arrangement. Hang up string lights. Light some candles. (I like to get citronella candles, which do double duty of adding ambiance and keeping the mosquitos away.) And use festive dinnerware.
Remember that you don’t have to break the bank by buying new things for your summer BBQ. You can do something as simple as buying fun cocktail napkins and tea lights to jazz things up.
Another idea that helps set the mood for a summer BBQ is to put together a killer playlist. Sure, you could just pick one of the many mixes that already exist on Spotify or Pandora, but why not personalize it with your own selection of tunes. Make it fun and pick some songs that are a throwback. Music often evokes memories for people, so it’s a great way to keep people entertained and having a good time.
5. Prepare a Cocktail and an Appetizer Ahead of Time to Have Ready for Your Guests
Even if everything goes according to plan, you’ll probably be finishing up a few last minute details when your guests start to arrive. I find the best way to greet them is to have a cocktail ready and some nibbles out for them to eat.
There are lots of great cocktails you can batch make ahead of time and serve in a pitcher. In the summertime, I love a white wine sangria or a Pimm’s Cup. You can also go the extra mile and make ice cubes with pieces of fruit or mint leaves. It adds an extra touch to your cocktails.
For food, I always say you can’t go wrong with a cheese board. Start with 3 or 4 kinds of cheese as your anchor, and then pile dried fruit, nuts, chips, and crackers on the board. It’s always a crowd pleaser and keeps your guests satiated until you serve the rest of the food.
Are You Ready to Plan a Summer BBQ with These 5 Ideas and Tips?
Whether you’re getting ready to host your first BBQ or you’re a pro, these tips and ideas will ensure you have a great summer BBQ.
And honestly, the most important part is not the food, beverages or even the décor. It’s the friends and family you’ve gathered for an afternoon or evening of conversation, fun, and laughter. If you have all of that, then you will indeed have a successful summer BBQ!
Now I’d love to hear from you.
What do you think? Do you find these ideas and tips helpful for planning a summer BBQ?
And if you have any time-saving tricks or recommendations that help you plan a BBQ with ease, please share in the comments below.
Happy summer everyone!
Related: My favorite summertime rituals
Related: Want to travel with your girlfriends this summer? Check out my post about the best destinations for a girls’ weekend getaway
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