June 2018
Invited your friends and family round for a spontaneous BBQ and wondering where to start? Here are our top tips on how to prepare, as well as some visual inspiration on getting your garden BBQ-ready…
Before doing anything else, dust off the BBQ and check that it’s clean and working, that you have sufficient charcoal or gas and all the necessary tools. Check that you have enough chairs – borrow from family or friends if needed, or pick up some large, comfy cushions that guests can sit on.
Then, make a list of everything you’ll need – food, drinks, an ice bucket, disposable foil trays and plastic tableware to make the clearing up as easy as possible.
Have a plan B in case it rains. Round up some umbrellas, put a few blankets out in your seating area and set up a table and chairs indoors just in case. The bi-fold doors opening out onto the garden from the kitchen/dining area in a Story Home mean that even if the weather does turn, you can effectively bring the outdoors in.
Choose a theme for your gathering and pick up some inexpensive outdoor decorations and accessories to inject some fun and colour into your garden. How about focusing on summer brights and incorporating a set of stylish, bright Acapulco chairs and colourful cushions, plates and glasses? The benefit of this concept is that it will brighten up your event even if the sun isn’t out!
Decide on the meats you’re going to barbecue and don’t forget all the accompaniments – rolls, salad, sauces, crisps and dips, plus the chilled drinks and plenty of ice for the ice bucket. Summer drinks such as Pimm’s or sangria always go down well at an outdoor gathering, so make sure you stock up on fruit too.
Plan out your timings so that you know when to fire up the BBQ and when you’ll need to start cooking to hopefully avoid having hungry guests!
Use Apple Music or Spotify to curate a variety of music that will suit your guests and theme, or just hit play on one of these platforms’ ready-made summer playlists.
As you’ve planned and prepped everything you’ll need, just relax and enjoy once your guests arrive!
