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OUTDOOR COOKING HOME>OUTDOOR COOKING TIPS & TECHNIQUES> BBQ PARTY PLANNING CHECKLIST
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Enjoy a stess-free afternoon - use this BBQ party planning checklist and have little fun for a change

So everyone's over at your house. The yard is packed. The food and salads - numerous, enticing and delicious. The sun is shining, the birds chirping, and everyone is having a great time.

Except you, of course. (Well someone has to cook, serve, pour drinks, clear up, swat flies and in general run the operation).

Now for the good news - with a little planning, everyone can enjoy the BBQ - even you.

printer icon Do you prefer a printable printable party checklist? Click here to print>>

Just follow the steps outlined in the BBQ party planning checklist below and you're sure to remain stress-free:

Stage 1: About a week before

Click box to check
Bullet Make up a guest list, and send out invitations (or just call everybody up)
Bullet Plan the menu, and make a shopping list of everything you need to buy. If vegetarians are among your guests, plan for them as well.
Bullet If friends and family will be attending, see if you can allocate some of the work (Find volunteers to make salads or prepare deserts, for instance. This will leave you basically free to just attend to the grill)
Bullet If you use a gas grill, check to see you have enough (having a refill on hand is always good policy). Likewise, if you use charcoal, make sure you have enough.
Bullet If you need to rent or borrow any equipment, make necessary arrangements.
Ready to move on to stage 2 of your party planning checklist?
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Stage 2: 2-3 days before the BBQ party.

Start preparing everything a few days before the event. Make a list of things you have to get:

bullet Food and beverages (Alcoholic and nonalcoholic, as required)
bullet Paper plates, napkins and towels, and plastic utensils if you're planning on using them. It's usually a good idea to get slightly more than the number of guests you've invited.
bullet Any special decorations, tablecloths, meats, seafood or anything else you may need.
bullet If any foods you're planning can be made ahead of time and frozen, such as snacks and mixes, now's the time to get started.
Ready to move on to stage 3 of your party planning checklist?
Stage 3: The day before  
bullet Get the ice you need for the drinks
bullet Pick up all the perishable and last-minute items you need
bullet Don't forget the condiments- mayonnaise, mustard, relish & pickles, etc.
bullet Prepare your salads, and call to remind your designated salad-makers. Or just pick up prepared salads at your grocery store.
bullet Decorate for the party and arrange the tables and work area
bullet Thaw any frozen items
I think you're doing pretty well so far. And now your operation is about to enter it's final phase:
Stage 4: THE DAY  
button In the morning set out the plates, utensils, and BBQ tools. Keep all the tools you'll need handy so you wont have to desert your post and run inside to get something. Accidents can happen when the grill is unattended.
button If you're grilling any vegetables, now is a good time to prepare them and wrap in foil, if required. Remember that corn and potatoes should be on the grill about an hour before the meat.
button

Set up a drinks table, and let everyone come over and help him/herself. I like to fill a large plastic tub with ice and canned drinks, which is extremely efficient in keeping people out of the house and out of the fridge.

button When your friends start arriving, try and delegate serving and clearing up duties. You may also like to get some of the parents to arrange games for the kids - this keeps the kids occupied and out of your cooking area. To make it more interesting, why not have some small prizes handy for the winners?
button Set up a large trash container (or two) in your cooking area, with a large plastic sack inside. Encourage your guests to use them to dispose of their paper plates and cups. I also like to keep a couple of rolls of paper towels handy - always useful.
     
Well, how about that? Isn't it amazing what a little party planning checklist - and a little delegation - can do? Now you can take it easy and enjoy yourself as well.


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