“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 great for a patio or garden, giving the feeling of being around a real fire. Other grill designs include charcoal and wood-burning grills, portable grills, and outdoor stoves. Weber makes some of the most durable and reliable quality grills, using stainless steel burners to provide long-lasting even heat and burners with spider and insect screens to keep the 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 BBQ 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 temperatures. There are briquettes 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 in a wonderful outdoor retreat, 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 becoming popular again, 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 maximum 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 roughly how many people will be in attendance. You want to make sure there are enough seats available for everyone to be comfortable. You’ll also want to be prepared for unexpected weather. Awnings are a great option as they allow you to control the weather on your deck or patio in no time; There are also outdoor tents that you can set up with a table inside to shelter you 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 they look good too. There is no shortage of excellent garden furniture and comfortable outdoor seating options. Patio heaters are also welcome for cooler evenings after the sun goes down.
It’s important to have a proper buffet or serving surface for your party, a place where you can keep all your 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 night; Regardless, lighting is something to think about as it adds so much ambience to your backyard setup. Solar outdoor lights and other lighting options are available in various designs. Luminaires, 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 garden, traps are available at your nursery or garden center. Remember to cover food, especially meat and sweet drinks at the table to protect them from insects.
Some other nice additions to your party could be; goody bags for any child 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 in attendance), steaks and salads knowing everyone will be satisfied and full. On the other hand, you may 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 preserved 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 essential. You can make cold lemonade and have some carbonated beverages 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 on hand 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 chips served with salsa is much appreciated.
Of course, your budget will dictate how much you can and can’t do when it comes to decorating your party. But don’t let that put you off, it takes time to get your patio looking exactly how you want it, in the meantime keep your eyes open and look for ideas. 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.
