How to Throw a Winter BBQ

Want a Great Way to Chase Away Those Winter Blues: Host a Winter BBQ:

The idea of a winter BBQ might seem a little strange at first, but with some planning this could be one of the best casual parties you throw all year. A great time to have a winter BBQ might be during the month of January or February after the holidays. A creative theme can make that get together even more fun. Use these ideas or add some of your own to host your first Winter Barbecue this year. This might become an annual event for you and your friends.

 Make a Guest List:

Use a combination of BBQ and winter themes to make invitations to this event, but remember you’re your winter barbecue will be just as casual as a summer barbecue. The best thing about a BBQ is that you can invite more people than a sit down formal dinner. A great way to provide more seating for your guest is to bring your patio chairs inside if you have that space, since you really don’t need a table. You can use either paper plates or your casual dinnerware set. If you want to use your dinnerware set, but don’t have enough ask some of your guest to borrow their sets than mix and match them to create fun color scheme for your party.

Outdoor Cooking, Indoor Eating:

There are two ways that you can prepare the food for your Winter BBQ. The first is to use your outdoor BBQ grill, but remember to dress warmly and leave the grill covered while you cook to keep the heat inside the grill. The second is to use an indoor grill like the Foreman or Cuisinart 5 in1 grill.  The best meats to prepare are the same ones you enjoy in the summer like chicken, hamburgers and ribs, but you might want to try something new like a Turkey or steaks with a heavier sauce. The sides can include all your favorite summer BBQ dishes like Potatoes Salad, baked beans and coleslaw or you can add some of the fall or winter fruits and veggies for a new twist. 

 Party Decorations:

Add a couple strings of Christmas lights to dress up your patio area outside, but bring most of the decorations inside. A fun idea is to put scented candles on the dinning table that remind you of either summer or winter. Instead of the normal checker table clothes find one that have a fall or winter theme and make a center piece out of apples, pine cones and bare branches. Another party idea is to make it a summer party in the winter by using beach balls and picnic items as a center piece, beach pails to hold the silverware and plastic pitcher that hold the fruity tropical drinks.

Drinks and Munchies: Make dips that remind you of summer or experiment with new ingredients that are available in winter. Going potluck is another fun way to  let your guest be part of that traditional barbecue feeling. Fill a cooler with beer and soda, but end the party with hot chocolate and rum so that your guests can warm themselves before heading back into the cold. A great dessert idea fun that summer feeling, but still keeping your guest warm is roasting marshmallows around an outdoor fire pit and making smore’s.

Entertainment:

Play music that reminds you of carefree summer days at the beach. Bring the Party inside with fun games like twister, charades or other board games that remind you of your childhood vacations. For those souls who are brave enough to face the winter cold set-up a badminton set and play it in the snow.

 Surprise your family and friends this year by throwing a winter barbecue! They will love the chance to socialize, eat great food and forget all about the cold winter days for a few hours.