How to Host a Great Memorial Day Backyard Barbeque

By Lana Bingham

Burgers, Buns and Booze…? What else do you need to entertain your guests at your barbeque this holiday weekend? Before you regret your agreement to host this year’s soirée, take a few pointers on some easy planning and preparation. Follow these four steps to ensure a great backyard barbeque that both you and your guests can enjoy.

Add Some Ambiance: No need to deck out the entire place with red, white and blue streamers and balloons, but the party should take place in a casual and fun atmosphere. Outdoor kitchens, patios and pools are a great space for large gatherings. Make sure there is enough space for guests to stand, sit and interact. Don’t forget comfortable seating and tables for food. Make sure you have shaded areas or large tents and umbrellas to protect your guests from the heat. A Tampa custom home builder will tell you that this is the perfect opportunity to use your outdoor sound system for party tunes.

Be a Lean, Mean Grillin’ Machine: Every backyard barbeque needs an efficient grill that can handle everybody’s orders. Dad wants his patty well done, Mom wants a free-range turkey burger, and your sister (who just flew in from Texas) will only eat her rib-eye steak black and blue style (charred on the outside, but still raw on the inside). You better be packin’ heat from a serious grill to make all your guests happy. Viking, Wolf and GE Monogram make pro-series cookers that can get the job done.

Keep Guests Entertained: Have an easy access bar for guests to mingle and make drinks at. You can even add a snow-cone station for the little ones; just have adult supervision for pouring all those colorful syrups. Make sure there are plenty of fun activities for people of all ages to get involved in. Set up bean bag tosses for the kids, a card-playing table for the grandparents, volleyball or darts for the competitive guests and a late night bon-fire for the adults. Don’t forget the S’mores!

Win Them Over With Recipes: Besides a cooler full of beer and a few bags of Doritos, you’re going to need some great appetizers and side dishes for your guests to munch on. Grab a summer edition of Bon Appetite or break out the old recipe book and try something fun and festive. Keep those burgers from being bored with unique toppings, such as, avocado, peppered bacon, pickled jalapenos, sautéed onions and gourmet cheeses. Trying to break away from the hotdog and hamburger routine? Spice things up with a Cajun-style clam bake or a 15-flavor chicken wing buffet. Whatever you do, don’t forget these party essentials: plates, cups, silverware, napkins, tablecloths, trashcans, condiments and ice.

A backyard barbeque is a great way to bring everybody together during Memorial Day weekend. New homes in Tampa are being built with outdoor kitchens, patios and pools that make for great gathering places, especially during a holiday weekend! Apply these four important party tips to host an unforgettable backyard barbeque in your outdoor space!

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