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There’s nothing quite like enjoying a cookout with the people you love most. It’s summer, after all, and there’s no better time than the present to host a BBQ party to enjoy with all of your friends and family.
Hosting a large party can be quite the undertaking if you are unsure of where to start. We’ve got you covered. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you are going to host the best BBQ party. Let’s get to planning.
1. Choose a Theme
All great parties start with a solid foundation. That’s why choosing a well-rounded theme is an excellent place to begin the planning process.
Sticking to the summer season, there are tons of different themes that you can choose from. Whether your guests would enjoy a luau-style party or even a Western theme, the options are truly endless.
It’s an important first step as it will set you on the right foot for the rest of the planning process. Give yourself some time in this stage, as having a clear theme will serve as a guiding light and make the rest of the process run smoothly.
2. Make a Guest List
Now, it’s time to write out a list of all the people you want at your party. Make sure that you have updated contact information, as this will be an important factor when you send out invites.
When creating this guest list, consider a few things. First, how many people can you comfortably host in your home? This is a good starting point for determining the maximum number of people to include on the guest list.
The next thing to consider is who exactly you would like to invite. Is this a friends-only party? Are families invited? Would you like to include your coworkers on the guest list? Once you’ve narrowed down who you’d like to be there with the maximum number of guests in mind, you can set this list aside for future use.
3. Create a Menu
The next and arguably most important step in the party planning process is to set the menu. This is a BBQ party, after all, so the food should take priority in the planning stages.
Start by choosing your main course, making it much easier to plan a menu around it. Some great meats to barbecue include chicken, beef, or pork. You’re free to customise your menu however you like to fit your and your guests’ preferences.
While the main course should take precedence, you need to solidify many other menu items. Sides and appetisers are some of the most important components of your menu and will help ensure that the meal is well-rounded and that no one is left feeling hungry or dissatisfied.
If you’re unsure where to start, consider including a poll on the invites you send out so your guests can have some input on what will be served. This is also a great way to acknowledge any dietary restrictions or allergies your guests may have prior to the day of the party.
4. Choose the Beverages
Now that the menu is set, you can work on finalising some beverage pairings to serve. Whether you want to have alcoholic beverages or not, planning these out will reduce the stress you have leading up to hosting and ensure your guests have plenty of drink options on the day of the party.
If you choose to go with a cocktail, take some time to test it before the day of. Mastering a mixed drink can be more challenging than some people think, so finalising the measurements and required ingredients will maximise your chances of creating a consistent and yummy beverage for everyone to enjoy.
With the hot summer temperatures, it’s important that you have a spot for these drinks to stay cool throughout the entire party. The EcoFlow Glacier Portable Refrigerator is perfect for outdoor events and will ensure your beverages and perishable food items have a place to stay chilled.
5. Set the Date and Send Out Invites
There’s no party without your guests. With the food and beverage menu complete, it’s time to pick a date for your party and send out invites to your guest list. Choosing a date that’s far enough in advance is the best way to ensure that your guests will be able to make it without too much of a scheduling hassle.
Have some fun and create an invite indicative of the theme you selected. There are tons of online sites that you can use to generate cute and festive invites to get your guests excited about the party ahead. Make sure to include some contact information for your guests to RSVP so you can get a final head count before buying all the food and beverage items.
As mentioned above, using your invites as a poll for the food and beverage options is an excellent tool, especially if any of your guests have any allergies or dietary restrictions. Include some options on the invite, and make sure to pay attention to how your guests respond, as it will assist you when you buy your supplies.
6. Make Your Playlist
In your downtime, think about the vibe you’d like to set at your party and build a playlist that suits it. Music playing in the background helps to set the mood and ensures no awkward silence as your guests arrive.
Once the party rolls around, you can set up a speaker in a central location and keep the volume at a respectable level for your guests to enjoy. With the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Series Portable Power Stations & EcoFlow RIVER 2, you won’t have to worry about the battery life on your Bluetooth speaker. You can have it plugged in throughout the entire party to keep the tunes playing for hours on end.
Make sure to choose songs appropriate for the crowd you are hosting. If you are unsure what’s safe to play, you can search for some pre-made playlists online that are guaranteed to set the mood for a BBQ party.
7. Shop for Supplies
By now, you’ll probably have a pretty good idea of how many people can attend. Write out a list of all the food, beverage, and decor items you need, and head to your local shop to buy the party supplies.
More is always better in this situation, as you want to ensure plenty of food and drink to go around. It’s always better to have leftovers than to leave your guests feeling hungry or thirsty, so err on the side of caution and grab a little extra just to be safe.
8. Schedule Activities and Entertainment
Entertainment is a significant factor in planning a successful party. If you want to take your party to the next level, take some time to plan out activities to do while everyone is visiting. You can have some yard games to play or even show a movie for the whole crew to enjoy.
The EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max is perfect for outdoor parties and makes it easy to hook up a TV or projector for an outdoor movie showing. Select a crowd-favourite film and get this set up before the party so you can sit back and enjoy the film with your guests.
9. Clean the House
Once the party is about a week out, you can do one final deep clean through the house and start setting up the areas for your guests. Hoovering and mopping a few days before the party will make a huge difference and keep your home feeling clean and welcoming.
Some smaller tasks like wiping the windows and organising any clutter are a surefire way to elevate your home and prepare it for when the guests arrive. Buy some new candles or air fresheners and get them going a few days before the party so your guests will be greeted with a clean and fresh-smelling home as soon as they step inside.
10. Make Sure Guests Will Be Comfortable
It’s summer, so you’ll have to take extra care to ensure your guests’ comfort, especially if you’re planning to have your party outdoors.
Temperatures are high, so your guests will need adequate options to cool off. Make sure to have multiple fans or even a portable air conditioner set up to ensure there is a spot to get some relief from the heat.
EcoFlow DELTA Series Portable Power Stations provide tremendous amounts of power to these cooling devices and are an excellent investment to keep your guests comfortable and happy.
11. Put Up Decorations
Once you’re a day or two out from the party, you’re officially cleared to decorate your space. Set up the tables your guests will be sitting at and ensure each one is decorated and ready to go.
This step is optional, though it can easily transform a good party into a great one. You can centre your decorations around the theme you selected and even purchase party favours for your guests to take home at the end of the night.
Sometimes, less is more when it comes to decorations. You do not need to spend a lot of time or money on decorations. Just pick a few things that help solidify the theme and that your guests will enjoy looking at. It’s usually the little things that stand out the most, so get creative and don’t worry too much about making the decorations the star of the show.
12. Host a Great Party!
All your hard work has finally paid off, and it is time to host a wonderful BBQ party. As long as you follow all the steps above, you and your guests will have a great time. Plan to cook your food and prepare your beverages the day of the party to ensure maximum freshness.
Make sure to take photos and capture memories as you relax and enjoy spending time with your favourite people.
Frequently Asked Questions
When hosting guests, it is important to make them comfortable throughout the entire event. Make sure that there is plenty of food and drinks from when they arrive to when they leave. Keep some music in the background, and prep some talking points to ensure your guests feel welcome.
While the food should be the star of the show, it’s always a great idea to include some form of entertainment. Take the time to plan activities prior to the party date to ensure your guests are well entertained. Show a movie or set up some games so everyone has something to do.
Final Thoughts
Taking the time to plan a BBQ party is a great memory in the making. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the planning process and ensure nothing is forgotten. You and your guests are bound to have a wonderful time together with some excellent food and even better company.
The best party planner is always prepared with a plan B. To ensure your party goes off without a hitch, invest in EcoFlow Portable Power Stations today for all of your backup power needs.
