As the summer rolls on, you might begin to think that a get-together with your friends is the best way to soak up the sun and enjoy some good company. But before you fire up the grill, here are some tips to make sure your first BBQ is not a bust.
Before setting the date for your outing, it will be in your best interest to make sure the weather is up to par. Rain will drown out any outdoor plans, wind will blow all your materials away, and clouds will ruin any summery pics you want to take. Pick a day warm enough to enjoy, but not hot enough to sweat.
The worst thing that could happen at your first BBQ party is realizing you forgot some very important items, so it is suggested you make a list. That list should include the essentials: plates, napkins, utensils, food, lighter and kindling for the grill, a cooler and ice for drinks, a (charged!) Bluetooth speaker for tunes, and anything else you and your friends think you will need. And make sure you choose the most responsible person to bring it!
You would not want any of your friends to go hungry, so make sure to know all the dietary restrictions your friends might have when planning what food to bring. Veggie kebabs on the grill make for a nice substitute, and you can never go wrong with a big ol’ watermelon.
Ask your uncle: when it comes to the grill, do not mess with the cook. Grilling your meats and veggies could be a tedious process, so designate one or two people, at most, to run the grill while the rest of you wait patiently to be fed.
Waiting for the food to be ready is going to get pretty boring, so plan some games and activities to do while you wait. Beaches make for great BBQ settings, and what better way to wait than cooling off in the water. And if you cannot make it to the beach, a ball or a frisbee, or a good game of cornhole can lift the atmosphere completely.
The last thing you need at your first BBQ is having your parents bail you out for trespassing on private property or having an open container. So if you are venturing outside of your backyard, know where you can and cannot go, and what you can and cannot do, because the park rangers will be watching.
You never know what you have until it’s gone, so capture as many memories as you can! Get loads of candids and videos, and a group pic at the end is a must.
The worst thing that could come out of your party is one forgotten friend going on IG and see all the fun they missed. No one wants to be left out, so even if you think they will not be interested invite all the people you can, before the summer drama begins.
You will be around fire, nature, and alcohol. And even though you are around people you trust, accidents do happen. So try to keep a clear head, make smart decisions, and make sure everyone is doing their best not to set themselves ablaze.
This is what the summer is all about: sunshine, good food, good music, and good people. As long as you focus on that, nothing can go wrong at your first BBQ. So take it easy, trust that things will fall into place. And guide anyone not having a good time into the right direction.
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