As the weather finally starts to warm up, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about hosting a barbeque. If you’ve never hosted one before, though, it can be quite an intimidating proposition.

If you want to make sure your barbecue is talked about for years, here’s what you need to know:

The Basics

To start, you need to decide exactly what kind of barbeque you’re throwing. If you want to throw a holiday or themed get-together, decide on it now. That way, everything else you decide on will be within the theme.

You’ll need to make sure to clean up for your guests. This means your backyard, patio, lawn, pool, and anywhere else guests might hangout. You should consider putting up tents or cleaning inside as well, to provide relief against inclement weather.

Finally, you need to decide on a guest list. Barbeques are supposed to be fun – so make sure to invite everybody you can! Send the invitations early so you have a good idea about how much food and seating you’ll need. It’s also the perfect time to ask people if they have dietary restrictions or if they want to bring anything.

Food

Of course, the most important part of any barbeque is the food. You’ll need to make sure that there’s something for everything, though. Here’s what you need to have:

• Appetizers and snacks. You’ll want to make sure there are plenty of finger foods for people to pick out while they’re enjoying your party. You’ll want chips, dips, and other snacks. Salads are also a great way to start the party off.
• Main course. The star of any barbeque is the meat. You want to make sure to invest in quality steaks, burgers, and hot dogs. If necessary, provide vegetarian options.
• After a big meal, nothing hits the spot like a nice dessert. Cookies, cakes, and cobblers always go well with a grilled meal. For an extra-American touch, go with the classic combination of apple pie and vanilla ice cream.
• On a hot summer day, drinks are just as important as food. Make sure to have plenty of water and soda on hand. If you’re having an adult get-together, make sure to stock up on beer, wine, and liquor too.

Make sure to invest in lots of containers to keep your food fresh. Nothing ruins food quicker than bugs. Make sure to appropriately keep food on ice until it’s ready to be cooked and eaten.

Entertainment

Barbeques are more than just food! You need to put together a great playlist so the music flows all night long. You also want to make sure there’s plenty for the guests to do. Traditional backyard sports like horseshoes and volleyball are a great idea. Board games are also a great way to keep the party rolling long into the evening.
In the end, the most important thing to remember is to have fun. Barbeques are supposed to be relaxing, so make sure to take the time to enjoy it for yourself!