As the weather gets warmer, nothing beats gathering the gang for a backyard barbecue party. Here are our favorite barbecue ideas for decorations, invitations, activities, and more!
Backyard Barbecue Party Invitations
Sending great invitations can make your guests feel special before the party even starts. You can either make your own barbecue party invitations or send pre-made cards. Here are some ideas for both options:
Squirt Bottle Invitations -- Invite your guests to make or bring their best barbecue sauce by sending your invitations in clear plastic squirt bottles. Write your party information on a decorative adhesive label and attach a blank label to the back of the bottle for your guests to fill in their name and sauce info. If your bbq sauce competition will have rules, write these on a piece of paper and stick it inside the bottle. Either hand deliver these invitations or mail them in padded envelopes.
Apron Invitations -- Use fabric markers to decorate the front of white aprons for a unique barbecue party invitation. Write something like, "The Smith Barbecue -- June 25, 2011" on the front of the apron. Write the rest of your party information on a decorative tag attached to the apron strings with ribbon.
**General Invitation Tips** -- If you choose to make your own party invitations, don't forget to include the date, location, and time of your event. It's also helpful to put the host's name, RSVP by date, and either your phone number or email.
Here are some great barbecue invitations available for purchase from Tiny Prints:
Since this party will be held mainly outside, the first thing you want to do when planning for a backyard barbecue party is to be sure that the grass is mowed and the yard looks nice. Then you can have some fun adding your decorations. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Set a Rustic Table -- A red and white checked table cover is a barbecue party staple. You can make it look even better by using blue bandannas as both placemats and also rolled and tied with raffia to hold forks and knives.
Mason Jar Centerpieces -- Use different sized mason jars tied with raffia bows as a centerpiece. Add flowers such as daisies or black eyed susans to a taller jar, and surround it with smaller jars containing candles anchored in sand.
Provide Ample Seating -- Be sure to have enough seats and table space so that all of your guests have a place to sit and eat comfortably.
Set the Mood with Lighting -- If your party is going to last into the night, be sure to provide enough lighting. Hang twinkle lights, use torchiere lights, or line your patio or driveway with votives (be sure that all candles are a safe distance from traffic areas).
Serve Food and Drinks Creatively -- Use an inflatable pool or a wheelbarrow filled with ice as a creative drink cooler. Use different sized galvanized pails to serve snacks and appetizers.
Set Up a Backyard Firepit -- If you are able, set up a firepit somewhere in your party area with seating around it. This can provide light and be a great conversation area. As the evening rolls on you might bring out some marshmallows for roasting!
Here are some party supplies that can help you decorate for your event:
Keep your party hopping with some great activities. Here are some ideas:
Have a Barbecue Sauce Contest -- Ask your guests to bring their favorite barbecue sauce for a taste-off! Use the different sauces when you are cooking and see which one is the crowd favorite. (You can let your guests be judges or appoint a designated taster.)
Play Some Traditional Backyard Games -- Horseshoes, volleyball, ladderball, bocce, and badminton are all great activities for a backyard barbecue, guaranteed to get your guests up and mingling!
Play Some Great Music -- Music can set the tone for your party. Make a playlist or set the radio to your favorite station for some upbeat party hits!
Have a Water Balloon Toss -- If the weather is warm, cool off with a fun water balloon toss.
Backyard Barbecue Grill Cupcakes
We found this recipe in Family Fun Magazine and made a few changes to simplify the directions. Here’s what you need to do to make this yummy dessert:
Ingredients:
Your favorite cupcake mix or recipe
Chocolate Frosting
Black Decorator Frosting (in a tube)
Orange Sugar Sprinkes or Nonpareils
Hot Tamales Candy (or Mike & Ike’s)
Brown M&Ms
Caramels
Fruit Candy like gumdrops, gummy worms, etc.
Black Food Coloring
Toothpicks
What to Do:
1. Make your cupcakes according to the directions, let them cool, and frost with the chocolate frosting. Let this frosting set for about 20 minutes.
2. Use your black decorator frosting to draw grill lines on your cupcakes. Add fiery embers by sprinkling the orange sugar on top.
3. Make your food!
The hot dogs are made by using a toothpick dipped in black food coloring to draw grill lines on the Hot Tamales candies
The hamburgers are made by making grill lines on brown M&Ms.
The steaks are made by cutting a slice from a caramel and shaping it to look like meat.(You could also use a caramel cream to get a bone in the center.) The use a toothpick to add grill lines.
The kabobs are made by cutting pieces of different colored fruit candies and caramels and sticking them onto a toothpick in alternating colors to look like veggies and meat.
Hope you found some helpful backyard barbecue ideas in this page. Enjoy the party!
**For more great ideas that would go well with a barbecue party, check our our Western Theme Party page!
Share Your Party With Us!
Have you hosted or attended a great party recently? We would love to hear about it! Tell us about your party and what made it special. We'll post it here to share with all our readers. Plus, your party will automatically be entered in our next party submission contest!
. Write your party information on a decorative adhesive label and attach a blank label to the back of the bottle for your guests to fill in their name and sauce info. If your bbq sauce competition will have rules, write these on a piece of paper and stick it inside the bottle. Either hand deliver these invitations or mail them in padded envelopes.
for a unique barbecue party invitation. Write something like, "The Smith Barbecue -- June 25, 2011" on the front of the apron. Write the rest of your party information on a decorative tag attached to the apron strings with ribbon.
to churn up a barbecue treat.
