We are having new employees from my husbands work to come over for a BBQ. I am looking for ideas on how to make it run smoothly(and so I dont look like an incompetent bosses wife). Ideas on decorations, food, music , bar setup would be great. I know a lot of people are having parties these next coming weeks and I would like to get ideas. Since there are going to be kids, we are getting a bouncer to hopefully keep the kids away from the adults. Any more idea ideas would be great. I thank you all in advance!
2007-07-30 11:46:37 · 12 answers · asked by marismith57 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Entertaining
Keep it simple! If you have a pool, then you can incorporate a swimming party into your barbecue, but watch out for little kids! If your yard is large enough, have the "kids section" away from where the adults are congregating. You might hire someone from an agency to "babysit', as well as some helpful teens to do face paints, and have activities such as fingerpainting etc. And, a clown! For the adults, hang lots of little white lights around for the evening and incorporate flowerpots with gerbera daisies, carnations, and baby's breath as center pieces. Set your bar up nearest the kitchen and away from the food. If you are providing a full bar, you might incorporate someone to act as bartender for the evening. If not, then have ice chests full of your favorite sodas, beer, soft drinks and water available. Set up a table with your favorite wines. As for food, here are some ideas:
1. Grilled brisket, chicken, and pork tenderloin
2. Salads, such as green, cole slaw, red potato and dijon
3. Fruit kabobs and yogurt dip
4. Cheese platters with crackers and baguettes
5. Appetizer platters with cured meats, cheese, cornichons, olives and such.
6. Desserts such as brownies, cupcakes, cookies.
2007-07-30 11:56:07 · answer #1 · answered by JennyP 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're willing to spend $, rent a clown to keeps the kids occupied. A bouncer will keep them busy for probably an hour.
Set up a video game station like xbox or whatever computer game you have to entertain the kids.
Keep lots of extra toilet papers in your bathroom.
Assign someone to check the trash and cleanup as the party flows.
Put all the canned/bottled drinks in an igloo or lined bucket outside.
Cover all food with a lid.
Don't forget some good background music.
Have fun.
2007-07-30 13:46:24 · answer #2 · answered by RunSueRun 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heh heh. I think she means a jumper, bounce house, which is a fabulous idea.
It all depends on your yard, size of the party, budget. When we have more than 10 people over I usually keep most of the food indoors on a large table. We don't have much room on our deck, so I don't want people leaning over everyone else to reach what's on the table.
If you have a lot of room, you could set up different appetizer stations, have the bar off to the side. I can't help you with music or decorations since I don't know your tastes.
The most important thing, I think, is that you get everything ready with enough time that you're able to enjoy it. There's nothing worse than running around all night and then realizing you never visited or ate.
Good luck and have fun!
2007-07-30 11:58:59 · answer #3 · answered by mamarat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love the bouncer idea! It is VERY considerate of you to keep the kids away from your guests. Those guests who have hired a sitter to attend the party won't want to be bothered by other peoples kids (or they might've well brought their own). And those who don't have kids just can't enjoy mixing with kids.
Desserts can be tricky and attract a lot of bugs. If I were you I'd serve slices of seedless watermelon in large foil containers for the dessert. Pork tenderloin is great on the grill if you find the right marinade. Slice it on platters and serve it with dollar rolls from the bakery and pots of your sweet spreads (honey mustard, blackberry mayo, etc). People can pull apart the dollar rolls to make their own sandwiches.
Beer tubs are always fabulous. If you have patio tables, remove the umbrellas and use citronella tiki torches in their place. They provide lighting and repel bugs, too.
Designate an area or a room for people to leave jackets, purses, etc. You want them to be able to walk around and visit with ease. Get a drink in their hand the minute you show them where to set their coat and bag!
2007-07-30 16:14:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did the same for my sister's shower. Check out kraftfoods.com and they have some great (quick and easy) grill recipes. They have some kabob recipes that are to die for and they offer you low calorie alternative advice. There is also a really neat cake on there made out of ice cream sandwiches!!! Another good place in allrecipes.com - type in what type of recipe you are looking for, once they come up you can see the star ratings from regular people who have tried the recipes and what advice they may offer to improve it.
It would be quite impressive if you hired a bartender. Call a local bartending school and you can get recommendations on former students for next to nothing for cost.
I would keep the music neutral (jazz, easy listening) to keep from offending anyone.
Unless you will have someone monitoring the bounce house I would stilck to beach balls, jump ropes, nerf footballs, frisbees and such to offer a variety of activities with very little injury.
Lastly, after being the "Hostess with the Mostess" don't forget to relax and enjoy the party yourself!!!
2007-07-30 12:57:34 · answer #5 · answered by Corn Fed 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well the moon bounce is a great idea also foods to cook mainly chicken, hamburgers, fish, ribs, hotdogs and halfsmokes, grilled corn on the cob, salads any kinds, fresh fruit, any kind baked beans, tostios party chips with spinach dip or whatever you prefer drinks coolers for adults or beer maybe champaign, arbor mist wine and some desserts for music a mix of old and new jams slow and fast tones so the crowd doesnt become bored or dont feal the party is for them and leave but those are just a few suggestions I hope they help u out ohh as far as decorations get plenty of ballons and streamers
2007-07-30 11:56:45 · answer #6 · answered by Sweet B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The way to go with food would be to make hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, and possibly lamb. Everyone likes these foods. Also, make corn on the cob and French fries. Have a nice tossed salad and plenty of beverages and you should be great. Be organized!
2007-07-30 15:48:57 · answer #7 · answered by mirs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We did a family "drive in" with a giant piece of white cloth for the movie to play. You have to rent a projector for dvds but its a great way to distract the kiddies ;) We stuck to the theme all the way through and made kettle corn and old fashioned shredded pork sandwiches, bought the old fashioned type sodas in glass bottles, barbq corn cobs.. etc heh anyway it was a blast. Good luck!
2007-07-30 11:57:12 · answer #8 · answered by kclovebugs420 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just keep the meat(chicken,ribs) your going to put on the grill,keep it saturated in some italian dressing for a few days.then season both sides w/ garlic,pepper,and BBQ rub(not 2 much.has salt).But it on a fully heated grill,put them on it.Let it cook for a while,then take a mix some worchestershrine sauce and allitle soy sauce(again salt).do the brush thing with it,than when its ready serve it.
2007-07-30 15:14:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Roast a pig. It takes a while, you need a BIG BBQ, but the presentation is incredible. You can hire a BBQ co. to come do it very reasonably and then you can relax. The kids will also be amazed by this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!It's great fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
2007-07-30 12:33:39 · answer #10 · answered by Sunny Days 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋