How to Host a Fun Backyard BBQ in 5 Easy Steps with Bed Bath and Beyond
Hosting a backyard BBQ is one of my favorite parties to throw for my family and friends. Who doesn’t love delicious food, fun games, and good company? I know I do! To host a fun backyard BBQ you need to make sure your guests are comfortable, entertained, and well attended to. If you don’t offer the right party environment, or your guests are hungry, thirsty, or bored, you might end up with a stale and not-so-fun party (and you definitely don’t want that). To help you host the perfect backyard BBQ I have created a list of 5 easy no-fail steps you can follow to throw an amazing and fun backyard BBQ party at your home!
Disclaimer: Thank you Bed Bath & Beyond for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions remain 100% my own.
Step 1 – Be sure you have lots of comfortable seating
When hosting a backyard BBQ or party, you can expect that your guests will want to relax, socialize, and get off their feet at some point. There is nothing worse than a party where there is nowhere to sit, or very limited, uncomfortable seating. To be sure I have lots of comfortable seating I have a cozy outdoor sectional in my backyard. There is room for several people to sit and chat comfortably while they enjoy the BBQ!
Step 2 – Create fun and welcoming ambiance in your yard
Ambiance – noun; the character and atmosphere of a place. So how do you add ambiance to a backyard BBQ? Easy! You absolutely just need to have good music playing in the background. Music is what sets the tone for the afternoon, gets people in the mood to have fun, and even fills those awkward gaps between conversations. Without music a backyard BBQ would not have that party character that makes a BBQ a fun and welcoming place. To play music in my backyard I love to use my wireless Bluetooth speaker and I set it up centrally so everyone can enjoy the sound. It is really easy for anyone to pair to the speaker and keep the party music going throughout the BBQ!
Step 3 – Offer a variety of ice cold drinks
Don’t even think about offering warm drinks. That is just not an acceptable practice for any BBQ. You MUST have ice cold drinks ready for your guests, and somewhere for them to put their own drinks they might bring. I like to have two stations for drinks; a cooler for bottled and canned beverages and a bar cart for a pitcher of something homemade and fancy! This bar cart is so cute – it is actually a teak tea cart! Pro tip – use an acrylic pitcher and acrylic cups to avoid any accidental glass breakage that might hamper the party fun.
For the cooler I love this retro looking Pepsi-Cola 80-Quart Patio Cooler – it stands tall which makes it so easy for guests to grab a drink! No bending necessary!
Step 4 – Provide an assortment of simple snack foods
Before the main meal – whatever delicious BBQ foods you may be cooking up – be sure to provide an assortment of simple snack foods that are easy for your guests to graze on. Sometimes it can take a bit to get the main meal ready, especially if the hosts are socializing and enjoying the party (as they should!) and by offering plenty of finger foods your guests won’t grow hungry and antsy for the food to hurry up and be served. This will make the party more enjoyable for everyone as no one waits hungrily for the main meal! I love to serve charcuterie style platters as appetizers with meats, cheeses, nuts, fruits and veggies – and this white ceramic tray and ceramic bowl with handles look so pretty and work so nicely for serving.
Step 5 – Set up easy games that anyone can play
Lastly, but not least, you need entertainment. When I host a backyard BBQ I always set out at least one game that encourages everyone at the party to play. I love this 8-Inch Giant Wooden Blocks Tower Stacking Game because anyone can jump in and be the next one to see if they can add to the stack or break it down, or a couple can get into a heated match while party goers egg them on.
Bed Bath & Beyond is an unexpected place to find unique, seasonal products, home d̩cor and furniture Рand is the perfect destination for outdoor entertaining essentials!
And with my 5 easy steps to hosting a fun backyard BBQ your backyard party is sure to wow your guests. With a little planning and the right products you can easily have an amazing backyard BBQ at your home!
28 Comments
Tamie
Having a wide variety of assorted snacks during a weekend BBQ makes for a great event – and those serving trays are so pretty guests will love to eat off of them!
MaryAnne
So many great tips here. Perfect since I am actually hosting a party next week and this guide reminded me to have music and games!
Becky Hardin
Such awesome tips and how to’s to host the best bbq!
Ana
Your tips are so handy and just at the right time! One of my friends and I are throwing a bbq party in her backyard and can’t wait to arrange everything as you mentioned! By the way, love your outdoor sitting area!
Nichelle
I love entertaining. During the fall and summer, outdoors is my favorite spot. Especially in the evening. I so love all the outdoor tips, the yummy platters and beautiful furniture. The stacking wood game is a great idea for an adult or kid friendly engagement – I am planning to purchase a set for my yard 🙂
Flossie McCowald
Ooh, can I please come to your BBQ? (or else just come over and curl up on one of those seating options with a good book?) LOVE the wireless speaker idea, too! 🙂
Laura
These are great tips for fun BBQ event! I need a cooler like that one, I hate bending to grab a drink!
Courtney
Ooooo just love all your tips!!!! I’m all about bbqs!!! Such a fun way to chill with friends and family!!
Neely Moldovan
We love hosting friends and family and a backyard bbq is a great way to do that! Love everything you have there!
Jasmine Watts
I always love having a BBQ outside!! You have a great set-up and your 5 steps are so helpful! I never thought about the ambiance before but now I am totally sold on needing music at my bbqs!
Chad
This is really super cool! I love the setup, just amazing. And that is exactly why I love summer! Will check the store for sure to pick up some new things, I need a new outdoor speaker and love the one you shared :0)
Emily Fata
This looks like THE ideal barbecue set-up! I bet your guests are all always excited to be invited over for dinner at your place. Your backyard is a dream!
Kristen
These are such great tips. I love how you have decorated your backyard space. We just moved and I can’t wait to be able to host parties in our new backyard. This will be my inspo!
Christa
That tea cart is gorgeous! I agree that music is the best way to set a mood.
Patty
These tips are awesome! The food looks delicious I love that the platters have handles. I have been looking for new platters and didn’t even consider ones with handles. I absolutely love all your back yard decor!
Lina
You don’t have idea how much I love this backyard bbq it looks so fun! I would like to host a bbq like this one and thanks to these tips I know what to buy and do to make sure its a fun one! I really appreciate you sharing yoiur advice so I can host like you do
Nelly
I love that you broke up how to host a BBQ into 5 easy steps! I need to get an outdoor speaker, because your right, music is so important!
Laura Reese
Your backyard is such a cozy space to entertain! Now I need to do some serious shopping and make mine as pretty! Thanks for sharing where to buy all these cool product from!
Norma
The tips that you mentioned were awesome – I loved all of the tips and beautiful looking plates with food have me inspired to create platters like that 🙂 They looked delicious! I will keep these tips in mind and try them out at our next family barbecue!
Megan Kerry
I love that teak tea cart! How perfect for a backyard bbq. That sectional couch looks absolutely cozy-especially with the added ambiance of the fire pit!! Love these ideas!
Stephanie
I can’t wait until it cools off a bit and we can enjoy the outdoors again. My boys are getting to the age that they like to invite friends over, so we could do a family bbq. We recently bought new patio furniture that is so comfortable, I love going out there when the weather permits.
Dee
I love the set up, it all looks so inviting! What a great party! I love the cooler and that game, I think I need those!
Joline
I have serious patio cooler envy lol! We love summer and backyard BBQ parties. And yes, a bluetooth speaker is a lifesaver.
lauren kelly
I love all of these fun tips, I am coming over! 🙂 I sent this to my cousin who just bought his first house!
Suzy
This is a bbq I want to go to! 🙂 Looks like fun and great tips!
Kara
I’m swooning over your patio – it looks so inviting! And I love that retro cooler, it’s cute and functional. Much better than the boring old coolers I have!
Alli
This is the absolute perfect set up!!
Angela
Your seating looks so comfortable. I’m sure your guests won’t want to leave. I love the Pepsi cooler!