You Can't Have an Outdoor BBQ Without All the Necessities

Summer always seems to be flying by, and soon the season of pumpkins and presents will be closing in. Before that happens, be sure to get the gang together and throw one last bash to mark the end of the season. Do it before it's too late and all the summer staples begin disappearing from the shelves. But you don't want this to be any old barbeque, this one has to be the quintessential sun-shining and grill smoking type of get-together that you and your friends will be trying to recreate every summer after this one. If you want to make it an event everyone will remember, don't just do all the things you normally would do, it's time to pull out all the stops. You need to have all of the BBQ necessities to ensure everyone is having a fun time. Check out the following tips to get you inspired and ready to host a truly awesome party this time around.

1 - Music: Make a Tailored BBQ Playlist

Nothing says "party" like an expertly curated playlist in the background, so don't forget to make yours! Compile all of your summer favorites from this year, and maybe a few classics here and there, to really give the event some life and hopefully convince some guests to bust a move. Checking the top 100 charts, or if you're more old-fashioned, listening to the radio, should give you some ideas to start you off.

2 - Appearance: Decorations for Days

Now, these don't have to be overly complicated, but skipping the step of decorating can make your barbeque fall a little flat. Use a bright summer palette to inspire you, and find some things you may already have to give your space an extra boost to mark the occasion. Maybe some drink umbrellas, a table cloth or two, or even just some fresh flowers can do wonders to your outdoor space to make the atmosphere feel a little more fun and fresh for your guests.

3 - Socializing: Plenty of Photo Opportunities

Everyone loves an excuse to take a couple of selfies. If you have the time, it's worth grabbing some items and/or backdrops for the perfect group picture of everyone and just for fun, too. This could be some beachy hats or sunglasses, or you could even use a large photo frame to "frame" your faces for the camera. Some string lights can also add to the ambiance of both the image and the BBQ space itself.

4 - Hunger: Great Food For Everyone on Your List

Hosting a large party is not necessarily the time to experiment with your flavors and

all your newest recipes. It's recommended that you provide the basics, but you could give some extra special condiments or sauces on the side to let people try things out. Include your own tried-and-true twists that everyone will love. Having some of the usual items, like burgers or hotdogs, is a must, but don't leave out your friends who don't eat those things! Make sure to have options for everyone and include some tasty grilled vegetables or alternatives to meats. To lighten the load on you, you could even have your guests bring a dish or side as well.

5 - Planning: The Gift of Time

Finally, to get as many people as possible to show up, be sure you are planning your BBQ in advance. It's no longer super smooth to throw together epic parties at the last minute, as most of your friends likely have their own lives and obligations to tend to. Let them know what you're thinking - send out a quick group message, or talk to them to gauge what everyone's availability is looking like for the time you're thinking of hosting. Don't forget: you can't possibly throw a successful party if no one shows up! So make sure they have minimal excuses not to and set a date at least a week or two before.