Barbecue Party

Have a Barbecue Party, invite your friends, family and neighbors for an afternoon or evening of fun. Make it a block party!

Since this party is outside and the main focus is the barbecue grill you won't have to do too much decorating. Make sure you have a full propane tank or charcoal and lighter fluid before the day of the party!

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Barbecue Party Invitations:

If you are hosting the party for family and close friends you can make some cute invitations.
Cut pieces of leather into postcard sized sections. Brand your last name initial into the leather with a wood burning iron. You can also write "It's a Party" across the top of the invite. Put the party information onto the back my using an ink pen or permanent marker. Mail in a padded envelope.

If you are hosting the barbecue party as a block party. Print up flyers with your computer and hand deliver them to the neighbors. You can call up your family and friends if you want them to come or send them a flyer through the mail.

Ask your guests to show up in western attire: flannel shirts, jeans, cowboy boots, bandannas and cowboy hats. Give a prize for the most original outfit.

Barbecue Party Decorations:

Use bales of straw instead of lawn chairs.

A galvanized tub filled with ice makes a great cooler and will fit a western theme party.

Use bandannas as place mats, napkins and basket liners. They are inexpensive and easy to locate.

Wagon Wheels can be set around the yard to tie in a country theme as well as cactus. Rent cactus for a day from your local garden center.

Put balloons out on your mailbox so people can find your house easily. You can use white balloons and splatter them with black paint to resemble cows.

If you don't want everyone going through the house to get to the backyard use luminaries, bales of straw or rocks to pave the way.

Play country music on your stereo system. You can put it close to an outdoor window or set it up in a protected area in the yard.

Outlet Store with Party Supplies

Barbecue Party Activities:

While most adults will enjoy sitting around catching up on gossip there will be some that want to participate in activities. You should allow the party to unfold naturally, don't try to get everyone involved in games, let them choose what to do.

If you have kids coming to the party you might ask a teenager oversee a one hour period of organized games.
A potato sack race, a water balloon target shoot, and hula hoops are some quick and easy games. Check out our game page for other fun ideas:
Childrens' Party Games

Party Favors:

If you have neighborhood kids coming to the party you might consider handing out party favors although its not necessary.

Have an old trunk or suitcase filled with novelty toys, pencils, crayons, stickers, glow sticks etc...

Carnival Toys and Novelty Items

Barbecue Party Food and Drinks:

You can ask your guests to each bring a covered dish.

Provide plastic silverware, cups, and plates.

If you are having a small gathering make it fun and drink from mason jars.

It's not a bad idea to only provide non alcoholic drinks, if the guests want to drink alcohol you can ask that they bring their own.

Barbecue food is anything you can cook on the grill and still have tasting good!
Hamburger, steak, ribs, corn on the cob, baked potatoes and Texas toast are a few items.

Watermelon seed spitting contest:
Serve watermelon slices and have a seed spitting contest at the same time.

Apple Pie, brownies, cookies and cupcakes are fun to serve.

Trail Mix:
Mix up a quick bowl of trail mix using raisins, M&M candies, peanuts, pretzel sticks and even shredded coconut.