Help! from creative people required!?

Question

I have decided at short notice to throw a BBQ on Sunday for my pals. As we have had a few this year already i want to make it more interesting by adding a theme that costs as little as possible. I know the normal themes but i dont want people to have to dress up, just some good decoration thats makeable and not going to burn a whole in my purse. Any good ideas?? I have searched on the net but all i find is sites where you buy themed plates and other such things.

Thanks

I'm from the UK some of you are mentioning American stores.

Answer 1

How about geek party? have everyone dressed as geeks - this shouldn't cost anything at all! Then just hang around random stuff - posters from magazines, computer keyboards - see what you can find in local recycling centre :-)

Answer 2

YOu should do a summer theme with the BBQ

Summer Party Theme

Summer’s the best season of the year, especially when you’re young. A summer party theme, then, will be a real blast for all kids, little and teenaged. The possibilities for a great summer-themed party are endless!

The invitations to a summer party? How about a post card with beach scenes on the front? This is enticing and will introduce the summer-themed party setting, which is described below. The information can be scribbled across the back in a brief “wish you were here” fashion. This will get the summer excitement flowing!

What better place for a summer party theme than the beach? This setting is natural and open summer setting to accommodate a large group of people. Make your house feel like your at the beach. The summer lighting takes care of itself. Instead of streamers, string luau lights and maybe even provide tiki torches. Go all the way with the Hawaii tradition!

Music and clothes take care of themselves, too. Provide upbeat, summer-oriented, like the soundtrack to Grease and The Beach Boys. For teenagers who have a preference for modern pop music, you can use other summer-oriented alternatives. Talk with your teenager!

Of course, at the beach, one wears T-shirts, shorts, bathing suits, sandals, tennis shoes, Hawaiian shirts, sunglasses, straw hats, caps, wind breakers, etc. Summer wear, as said, takes care of itself.

See a summer party theme kit [availible at craft stores]

Food? How about a clambake, with clams, lobster, crabs, shrimp, etc.? Of course, seafood can get expensive, especially shellfish. More economical alternatives that keep with the summer/beach theme would be to broil fish and shrimp. Supply potato salad, macaroni salads, and other similarities to top off the meal at the summer-themed party. And the BBQ


ACTIVITIES AT A SUMMER-THEMED PARTY

Volleyball and Swimming—nothing says “summer” like ongoing volleyball and swimming, especially on the beach!

Pearl in the Shell—Hand out a clam-like shell to every guest. This clam is sealed and not to be opened until the end of the summer party. In a couple are “pearls,” which indicate prizes. The rest are empty. The “pearls” are taped in to prevent rattling.

Summer Sandcastle Contest—people are separated into groups. Each group creates a sandcastle. The most creative and original wins a prize. Pictures, of course, are taken to capture those fond summer memories. And have fun with your family!



Have a fun summer themed BBQ!

Answer 3

August was the month that Elvis Presley died, so a lot of Elvis material has been on the internet as well as television. It's also the celebration of Princess Di's birth and death (September). Either one of these might become a theme for your impromtu barbecue:

1. Elvis impersonator costumes to be worn by guests. Karaoke to their favorite Elvis tunes. Add some white lights to your backyard, good food, white tableclothes and great flatwear to create a " Viva Las Vegas" type of atmosphere.
2. Host a Royal Family event where everyone dresses in their finest, hats included. Centerpieces of fresh flowers, tablecloths, pictures of Diana and the Royal Family on tables, white lights, Elton John (one of Diana's favorites) music, or a CD of the concert held in her honor playing in the background, great food etc. Donations from guests can be given to her favorite charities.

At any rate, enjoy the day!

Answer 4

How about Hillbilly BBQ. It couldn't be cheaper and funnier. Instead of having tablecloths, cover the table in paper bags, funnies, you can even buy brown paper on rolls. Instead of coolers have garbage cans filled with ice. Have black tooth paint around so people can be partially toothless if they choose. If you are really creative you could make some funny signs with broken wood with names. Bar Areas, BBQ, Dance Floor, make sure that you write some of the letters backwards. Some of those things that look like dart boards people shoot at with water guns. Play some funny hillbilly tunes. I would suggest some Willy Nelson, everyone knows him. Perhaps you should put on some overalls just to really seal the theme.

Answer 5

Have you tried the dollar store? You can get dishes and decorations there. There are lots of bright colors since it's summertime. A mexican fiesta theme would be fun. You could choose some cheap decorations and serve guacamole and salsa. You can use flour tortillas instead of buns for the burgers. Just fold the tortilla up around the burger and enjoy.

Answer 6

Visit the Dollar store or Target for clearance party favors. Last year around this time I got a bunch of TIKI theme cups and plates and lights etc... Or go to home depot and buy some tiki torches they are cheap and fun. string some christmas lights up etc... fun, fun, fun!

Answer 7

Your theme will depend on the kind of people who will be attending. If they're fun-loving, go for a "Childhood Memories" theme. Hit the dollar store in your area and get things like jacks, jump ropes, bubble solution, some balls, cards, water pistols, paddle balls, etc. They can double as decorations, too. A pinata might be fun, too. Get lots of balloons and streamers (again, check out the dollar store) and make it as colorful as you can.

If you want to go totally homemade, check out the woods/fields/etc. (w/out breaking trespassing laws of course!) Look for pinecones and branches and ferns and moss and stones, etc.

Answer 8

mexican fiesta! since you will already be cooking, just get a few recipes on the net, make a pinata filled with candy or silly little toys that remind everyone of their childhood, put together a mixed salsa cd to play on the stereo, serve up some sangria (made with cheap boxed wines and fresh fruit) and enjoy!

Answer 9

I HAVE TWO IDEAS:

** Summer Theme **
Blow up beach balls. Orange and Yellow streamers (just cut long lines from tissue paper and twist loosely together). Have a ICE CREAM STATION, so a table where you take your icecreambowl out and have toppings of your choice, have lots of bowl of candy, fruit, sauces to put on the icecream.

** Hawiian Theme **
Blow up beach balls again with the streamers, but have lots of drinks in cocktail glasses with mini umbrellas. Also try to get those things you put around your neck with flowers on

Answer 10

under the sea
use streamers cut at different lenghts hang them from the roof. add some fish & a mermaid too. on the table put shells use cane baskes to put nibblies in, use a blue table cloth, maybe green streamers for seaweed.