Let’s have a barbecue party
“A wonderful way to entertain family and friends in an outdoor setting is with a backyard barbecue party. With the right planning and the right atmosphere, people will be talking about your party all summer long. The Important Factors Things to consider when entertaining are things like the barbecue grill, seating, lighting, and of course, menu planning.”
Today’s barbecue options have never been better. The designs and options are wonderful, there really is a barbecue to suit your individual barbecue needs. Barbecues come in natural gas and propane grills. Barbecues are available in portable fire pit models that are excellent for a patio or garden, giving the feeling of being around a real campfire. Other grill designs include charcoal and wood-burning grills, portable grills, and outdoor stoves. Weber manufactures some of the most durable and reliable quality grills, using stainless steel burners for long-lasting even heat and burners with spider and insect screens to keep burners free of pests. Stainless steel covers and bodies are durable and great looking. Several of the designs also include built-in thermometers.
Another great addition to your backyard cooking options could be a barbecue smoker. These barbecue smokers are perfect for seafood delicacies and traditional barbecue foods like brisket, ribs, or pork. They’re also great for chicken, seafood, or anything that needs direct high heat. Briquettes are available that burn for up to eight hours giving a wonderful smoky flavor.
A beautiful patio leaves you with the feeling that you are in a country house or a wonderful outdoor refuge, the good thing is that it is a much cheaper alternative to having a country house. With the large selection of patio furniture and accessories on the market, you can design your patio to be your own personal backyard vacation. The patio is not only a convenient getaway, but also a natural extension of your home’s design and décor. Black is a popular color for furniture, as are distressed greens with a worn look. Wooden furniture is back in popularity with teak being a favorite as it ages so beautifully. Patio furniture is available with armrests, high-back chairs, and swivel rockers with matching ottomans, all for the ultimate in comfort. Most outdoor furniture sold today is made with all-weather fabrics; It is also wise to select furniture that is durable and low maintenance.
When hosting and planning a backyard barbecue party, you’ll want to be prepared and know approximately how many people will be attending. You want to make sure there are enough seats available for everyone to be comfortable. You will also want to be prepared for unexpected weather. Awnings are an excellent option, as they allow you to control the climate on your deck or patio in no time; There are also outdoor tents that you can set up with a table inside to shelter from the rain. It’s important to have at least one outdoor umbrella to provide protection and shade for your guests from the hot sun, not to mention look good too. There is no shortage of great garden furniture and comfortable outdoor seating options. Patio heaters are also welcome for cooler evenings after the sun goes down.
It is important to have a suitable serving or buffet surface for your party, a place where you can have all the food, drinks, plates and utensils. Portable carts or side tables can also work well. You can even have a built-in countertop.
Your outdoor party lighting will only matter if the barbecue continues into the evening; Regardless, lighting is something to think about as it adds so many moods to your backyard setup. There are outdoor solar lights available and other lighting options in various designs. Light fixtures, candles, miniature white lights strung between the trees or along your patio, or some beautiful white paper lanterns hanging from your trees can make your patio extraordinary.
Insect control is a must at your outdoor party. Light citronella candles to help keep a variety of insects away. If yellow jackets are a nuisance in your yard, traps are available at your nursery or garden center. Remember to cover food, especially meat and sweet drinks on the table to protect it from insects.
Some other nice additions to your party could be; goodie bags for any kids attending the party, you can fill the bags with fun ideas found at the dollar store like glow sticks, crayons, and small notepads etc, it’s a good idea to keep the kids busy; patio heaters are great if it starts to get chilly at night or for those unexpected colder days; flowers in pots or hanging baskets will add more appeal to your garden; Lastly, a good variety of music sets the mood and adds a nice overall feel to your party.
Planning the meal is probably the biggest challenge for your group. You’ll want to know ahead of time if any of your guests have special eating preferences, allergies, or dislikes. You can always go with the standard burgers, veggie burgers (there will be vegetarians attending), steaks, and salads knowing everyone will be satisfied and full. On the other hand, you might want to surprise your guests with a wonderful honey barbecued steak; A simple marinade can be made with garlic, marjoram, salt, pepper, dry mustard, honey, and balsamic vinegar. The selected steak or chicken can be kept in the marinade for a couple of hours in the refrigerator, the next step is on the barbecue. Potato salad, green salad, and corn on the cob are great side dishes.
In summer cold drinks are a must. You can make cold lemonade and keep some carbonated drinks on hand. A nice addition to any buffet table is a delicious punch (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) with a few lemon wedges and fresh fruit. Always have plenty of ice available to keep drinks cold. For dessert, some cut fruits like strawberries, melon and watermelon slices are refreshing or a fruit salad can be nice and of course a nice cake or some cookies is always sinful but popular. Later, a bowl of corn tortilla chips served with salsa is much appreciated.
Of course, your budget will determine how much you can and cannot do in terms of decorating your party. But don’t let that discourage you, it takes time to get your patio to look exactly the way you want it to, in the meantime keep your eyes open and brainstorm. A simple picnic table and some plastic outdoor chairs also work well; a barbecue is really all about the food and the atmosphere created.
With a little planning and the right atmosphere, your outdoor barbecue party will be a success. Whether your party is large or small, a barbecue is a wonderful way to get together with your closest friends and family to enjoy the summer and a good meal.