Summertime, when it’s bright and sunny, is the best time to enjoy the outdoors, and what better way to make the most of the great weather than to throw a barbecue party? You don’t really need an event—any summer weekend is a great time to gather family and friends together for a leisurely lunch and some seasonal bonding.
The key to throwing a great grill party that keeps everyone entertained is location, location, location—you’ve got to find a pleasant place that’s out-of-doors but in the shade as well. Next, you’ll also need some preparation, which is where these tips from this month’s issue of Real Living come in.
LOW MAINTENANCE MEAL
Since weekend barbies are all about casual dining, echo the mood with your choice of seating arrangements. You can set up a low table surrounded by comfy throw pillows instead of the usual high benches—you’ll evoke the feel of those fun Bora dinners on the beach!
CASUAL MEETS CHIC
Just because it’s a casual meal doesn’t mean you should settle for paper plates and plastic tableware. You can still set a stylish table by using proper plates and flatware (real forks and spoons won’t break unlike plastic ones, and regular plates—as opposed to paper ones—won’t blow away with the first strong breeze). Just choose a fresh and summery color palette that coordinates with your napkins and throw pillows to tie things together.
TRY USING A TRAY
Set up a tray table that can easily take you (and your food) from grill to table with no hassle. You can load it up with seasoning and steak sauce that can both be used while cooking and eating. It will make serving up your freshly grilled goodies a breeze!
Want more entertaining ideas for your weekend grillfest? Check out the April 2010 issue of Real Living, which comes with grilling tips, a checklist of tools, and special grill recipe.
(Photo by Miguel Nacianceno. For more on grilling, grab the latest issue of Real Living, out now.)
