Hosting a Barbeque
Updated February 7, 2026
Hosting Guides By Gina Holzer
Barbeques can be held for a variety of occasions—graduations, Memorial Day or Labor Day, the Fourth of July, or even a game-day watch party, just to name a few. Your BBQ may also be a potluck. If that’s the case, be sure to create a sign-up sheet to help you and your guests plan all the items needed for the event.
Let’s start with the theme. You don’t need one, but if you choose to have a theme, you’ll want to include tablecloths, banners, plates, napkins, cutlery, and flowers that match your chosen style.
Next in the planning process are the food and drinks. Serving the classics is the way to go, in my opinion. Burgers, hot dogs, barbeque chicken, and salads—such as potato, pasta, macaroni, green, and fruit salads—are all excellent options. Coleslaw, baked beans, and deviled eggs are also crowd favorites. Chips and dips, as well as veggie and fruit trays, are easy dishes to grab at the store. If you want to elevate your menu, you could grill some delicious steaks or prepare an elaborate charcuterie board.
When planning beverages, a guaranteed low-effort approach is to fill a cooler with sodas, bottled water, beer, and seltzers. You might also consider filling a large beverage dispenser with lemonade or a signature cocktail. If you plan to offer dessert, some great ideas include a fruit pizza made with sugar cookie dough or an icebox cake. There are also plenty of convenient store-bought options like cookies, cupcakes, and pies.
You may also want to provide an activity or game to entertain your guests. Some popular options include bocce ball, horseshoes, cornhole, giant Jenga, or a slip-n-slide if the weather is hot enough (especially for the kids).
Lastly, be sure to think about important logistics, such as having enough seating and shade for all your guests. It’s also a good idea to check the local forecast and have a backup plan in case of rain or severe weather.
One last hot tip: I personally like to use eco-friendly disposable dinnerware to make cleanup so much easier!
Now that you’ve read this guide, you should have everything you need to prepare properly for a very successful barbeque event. Happy grilling—and enjoy yourself!
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