Summer is a great time of the year to relax, soak up the sun and visit friends and family. A backyard barbecue is a summertime staple. Hosting your own outing in your backyard can be fun, but it also takes careful planning and setup. At its most basic element, a barbecue consists of grilling food. Take proper time to plan your event for best results, allowing you and your friends to have a time you'll never forget. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Plan -- the most important thing to do. Are you going to host the barbecue on a holiday weekend? If you are, you will need to send out invitations well in advance. Are you going to host the party on a weekday or weekend? If the weather is unfavorable for an outdoor gathering, do you have a place where you can move the cooking and meal-taking inside, or perhaps you will want to set a rain date? Think about what you will serve and how many people you plan to invite.
2. Send out the invitations. Without notification of the backyard barbecue, no one will show up. You can mail cards through the postal service or use an electronic invitation system such as Facebook Events or Evite.com. Before you begin sending out the invitations, carefully curate an invitation list. You do not want to accidentally forget to invite someone and potentially alienate her because you invited people in a rush.
3. Purchase the food. A day or two before the actual barbecue is an optimal time to purchase the necessary foods to avoid spoiling. Typically food to be cooked on the grill consists of hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken, and you'll want sodas and perhaps beer, potato chips and potato salad. The type of food you serve is ultimately up to you. Purchasing enough food, drinks and condiments for the amount of people expected is key.
4. Check your propane tank. If you use a gas grill, make sure your propane tank is full enough for an afternoon's worth of cooking. Or purchase charcoal if that is what you grill over.
5. Set up the barbecue. On the day of the festivities, set up your tables, tents and chairs. Set your drinks on ice. Put out places, utensils and cups for people to use. Set out condiments and napkins. Put up any festive decorations you may have. Put out the snacks and side dishes.
6. Grill the food, and party with your guests.
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