It's here! Summer is a great season to host a get together with your friends. Winter sweaters and jeans have been traded in for flip flops and shorts and cooking on the barbie is out in full force! What better way to get the summer started than by putting on a good old-fashioned BBQ party with your friends and family. Let's not break the bank with a good BBQ. We stick to cheap BBQ ideas and still have loads of fun!
Prices of food and party supplies got you down? Use these cheap bbq ideas to save big money and host a killer BBQ party that will work for any budget.
How to Have a Killer BBQ on a Budget – Cheap BBQ Ideas
Make your own invitations – Invitations can be quite costly and set you back a little bit but if you can work a computer there are some great places that you can make your own invitations free of charge. If you're not very good on the computer there are plenty of free printables out there for you to use. I have listed a few below to get you started.
- It's BBQ Time by a bird and a bean
- Back Yard BBQ Grillin and Chillin by My 3 Monsters
- Get Ready for One Hot Party by B. Nute Productions
Decorations are always fun to have at a BBQ but can quickly run up the bill and run you out of budget even before the party gets started. BBQ's are hosted outside so there doesn't need to be a whole lot of decorating involved. After all, isn't nature beautiful all by itself. Grab up some red and white checked tablecloths from your local Dollar store to bring a bright pop of color to your yard. Use glasses or old jars to display flowers on your tables for a pretty and very affordable look. Have your children cut triangular flags out of construction paper and hang them on string or yarn and attach to your house or garage for a pretty backdrop. You will have your yard looking pretty and festive in no time. This is one of my favorite cheap bbq ideas.
Food. Now it's time to talk about the most costly part of throwing a backyard BBQ…. the food. Do you have thoughts of rib eye steaks and baby back ribs going through your head? Throw that idea right out the window! There are plenty of choices that you can make that will taste great and be in line with the cheap bbq ideas we need to maintain.
Try to think about cheaper types of meat. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and brats are always a go-to for cheap bbq ideas and are usually on sale for the summer months. If you are looking for something a little fancier you could make some kabobs using stew meat, tomatoes, onions and just about any vegetable that is on sale that week. Stew meat can usually be found pretty cheap if you grab the family pack and adding a great marinade to it will make it taste great.
There are a few ways to save on sides when hosting a BBQ. You can always ask each guest to bring a side with them to your BBQ. I find it often helps to keep a list of what everyone is bringing and to throw hints at them as to what you still need. If you don't feel like asking your friends for a little help here is a list of suggestions for sides that won't cost you too much.
- Potato chips
- Pasta salad (homemade)
- Easy Hamburger Recipes & of the Easy Hamburger Recipes
- Easy Hamburger Recipes
- Pork and beans
- Grilled potato slices with onions
The Drinks. There are tons of cool drinks that you can serve your guests that won't break the bank. Try making some flavored water using whatever fruit you can find on sale at the store. If you take some giant jugs of water and put blueberries, strawberries, cut up watermelon or cucumbers in them and let them marinate overnight they not only taste great but look beautiful too.
Copycat Chick Fil A Sweet Tea Recipe
Now it's time to sit back and reap the rewards of all your hard work and planning. Throw on the radio or better yet make a CD of all your favorite tunes and set back and have a good time bonding with your friends and family. Spending time together is what summer is all about after all isn't it?
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