One of the most fun things that you can do with the family is to have a BBQ, especially during the spring and summer. You could have just a small celebration or a large event with the entire family and your friends. If you have a larger event, you need to have a bigger place to hold it, such as a park. This would be an ideal location as the children can play on the equipment, and the adults can enjoy time together while sitting under a shelter to stay out of the heat. Planning for the BBQ should begin a couple weeks in advance unless you want to do something simple like grilling out on a beautiful afternoon.
Refreshing Beverages
When you start thinking about the BBQ, one of the first things to plan is what everyone will drink. An easy solution is to have 2-liter bottles of soda so that everyone can get what they want. Iced tea or lemonade is also an option. If you want to get a little creative, then consider making a punch with lemonade and fresh fruits. Children might enjoy fun beverages, such as a milkshake for after the meal or an ice cream float with soda and a scoop of ice cream in the glass. The beverages should be among the important things to offer as your guests and family will likely want something cold to drink while sitting outside in the warm sun.
Mellow Meats
The meats that you offer will be the bulk of the BBQ. You want to try to offer a few different kinds for the family. Hamburgers and hot dogs are simple, and kids love them! Set up a table with various toppings, like lettuce and cheese, so that everyone can put what they want to put on them. You could also grill steaks or ribs if you want something a bit more substantial or a bit more elegant, especially if you’re planning an intimate gathering with more adults than children. Make sure any meat that you fix is prepared as well as possible so that it gets cooked all the way through. If you’re serving a bigger crowd, then you need to make sure that you won’t be running out of fuel so that you can keep the meat cooking. To help with this, plan ahead and consider getting propane deliveries in Jefferson or wherever you’ll be hosting your BBQ.
Don’t Forget the Veggies
Along with the meats that you serve and the side items, you need to have a few vegetables. Grilling vegetables would be a good option to give them a bit more flavor. Add a little olive oil to the outside of the vegetables to make them crisp as well. Salt and pepper are usually the only seasonings that you need to add. Some vegetables that are go well on the grill are eggplant, corn and sweet potatoes. A tray of fresh vegetables is also an option. Add a few bowls with salad dressing in them so that guest can get what they want. Vegetable sticks are ideal for enjoying at a BBQ as they are easy to prepare and pick up instead of using a fork. Offer a variety for those who might not eat meat but who want to attend the event.
Fun and Games
Even if the BBQ is mainly for adults, there are still games that you can play. Choose a few for the kids, such as tossing water balloons or a sack race. Adults can participate in a three-legged race or a game that involves tossing an egg back and forth in teams. The goal is to get the egg to the other person without it breaking, but you can only use a spoon to catch the egg. When everyone needs a break, you can sit on a picnic blanket to rest and talk about what has been going on in life.
Your next BBQ should be one to remember. From music to games, make sure that there is plenty of excitement. Just make sure to take plenty of pictures!