How To: Host A Memorial Day BBQ

[ 0 ] May 14, 2015 | Kelsey Glass +

Everybody loves a good old fashioned BBQ. It’s a perfect summer event; so kick it off right with Memorial Day! We’ve got a few tips to throw the best BBQ ever for your guests:

Location

The great thing about BBQ’s is that they can be held almost anywhere!

If there are outside grills available, try to host one at:
>Apartment terrace
>Backyard

If you have a portable grill, you can host one at:
>Beach
>Park
>Lawn of a building or house

Just make sure there is enough space for your guests to move around freely. Also keep the weather in mind…if it looks like it might rain, have a back up plan!

The best time to have a BBQ is on the weekend. Because the summer gets hot, it might be better to hold a late afternoon or early evening BBQ once the weather starts to cools down. Making it a longer event (a few hours) also keeps things feeling casual, and allows people to go in and out while still being able to get other weekend activities done. Also make sure to tailor your event towards your audience. If it’s an adult audience, you can probably swing it at a later time. But if you have a lot of kids, you may need to set the time earlier in the day.

Decor

Decor for a BBQ should be easy. Since the atmosphere of a BBQ should be laid back, there’s no need to have elaborate decor. A definite must is a tablecloth, a few flowers, wooden tables and enough silverware for all your guests. Some other great ideas could include mason jars, picnic baskets, bandanas, lanterns, shovels and burlap! Bright colors are perfect for spring/summer BBQ’s, as well as any materials that could give it a rustic feel. Also included in the decor could be small outdoor games, like croquet, badminton or cornhole! Here are a few examples to look at for some inspiration.

Food/Drink

The great thing about BBQ’s is that you have so many choices for food! However there is one tip to live by: keep it simple. Here are a few food ideas for your guests:

>Appetizers: veggie and dip trays, chips, pigs in a blanket, fruit skewers, sausage balls
>Main dish: hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs, grilled chicken, pulled pork
>Side dishes: mac and cheese, corn, potato salad, green beans, potatoes, cole slaw, baked beans
>Desserts: cookies, cupcakes, watermelon, ice cream, frozen lemonade

Drinks:

Again, the key is to keep it simple. Beer, wine, sparkling water or soda are all great (and cheap) options! If children are coming, try to include juice boxes or lemonade. If you’re feeling a little ambitious, try making pitchers of sangria or margaritas. Plan for each guest to drink around 2-3 drinks. To make it a little more decorative, try filling ice in wagon or pale like this to store the drinks. Find some great sangria and margarita recipes here!

Invitations

You could just call up your friends or make a Facebook event, but adding a little extra touch will go a long way! We recommend our U.S Flag, Beach or Firework themed tickets. If you’re feeling creative, create a custom ticket! If ordered by 2 PM ET, they can be printed and shipped out the very same day. You can also try our foil and standard ticket types for your event.