Spring is in the air, which can mean only one thing: soon it’ll be time to break out the barbecue and gather friends and family for some good conversation and even better food. Before you start sending invites out via text, however, you’ll want to make sure that you’re really setting the stage for a fun and delicious gathering. If you really want to set the bar for barbecues, here are a few tips to keep in mind when planning your first cookout of the year.
Get your grill serviced
The last thing you want to have happen to you when you’re planning a barbecue is to discover that your grill is in disarray. If you do recognize that your grill or barbecue needs fixing, it’s important to have a trusted source to handle the job. If you’ve never worked with an appliance repair company before, looking for a local option is as simple as typing “Bend appliance repair” into your favorite search engine if you live in Oregon. Seek help in whatever city is closest to you—it’s much more affordable to go with a local option when getting your grill repaired than trying to fix the problem yourself or buying a new barbecue.
Buy something for everyone
As you’re shopping for different things to barbecue, it’s crucial that you get something that fits everyone in your gathering’s dietary needs. Just because one of your guests doesn’t eat meat doesn’t mean that they can’t enjoy some food from the grill. Make some spiced vegetable kabobs or roast vegetarian focaccia and everyone will have something delicious to eat at your barbecue. One word of warning, though: it’s best to roast vegetables first before cooking any meats to avoid cross-contamination. If someone avoids a type of meat because of their religion, it’s particularly important that you respect their need to keep things separate while you cook.
Add a little ambiance
While there’s sure to be no lack of scintillating conversation at your barbecue (it is your barbecue after all!), that doesn’t mean you can’t work to elevate your backyard a little bit more. It’s hard to go wrong with classic decor like a string of soft, yellow lights in your backyard. But if you’re looking for a way to really up the ante, consider having a musician play some live music in your yard. If you don’t know many musicians, turn to social media for advice. You may have already heard of the website theTundra, which is a hobby-based social media site not dissimilar to websites like Reddit or Tumblr. Using theTundra makes it easy to find a music enthusiast in your area. They may be able to play for you or connect you with someone else in the area who’d be interested in providing your barbecue with some entertainment!
Don’t forget the games!
What’s a barbecue without some fun and games? Another great activity to consider for your guests is a few yard games. Having yard games is an especially good idea if any of your friends are bringing their kids. That way, you can keep the children occupied and still enjoy your evening. Bocce ball, croquet, and corn hole are all classic games to play in the yard and they’re perfect for all ages. Feel free to make a little competition out of it, too, by teaming up to make things even more exciting.
With the weather getting warmer, it’s hard not to think about the first barbecue you’ll throw for your friends, family, or neighbors. By keeping the above tips in mind, you’ll be sure to be prepared and have a memorable barbecue that sets the standard for cookouts this season!