6 Tips for Throwing a Killer Backyard Party

When summer rolls around, backyard parties are the best – casual, social and fun. Plus, outdoor parties are so much easier than indoors parties…instead of trying to cram a bunch of people into a tiny dining room or stuffy kitchen, you can spread out on the patio. The kids can run around and play to their hearts’ content, and clean-up is usually a breeze, too.

The great thing about backyard parties (besides the simplicity) is that you can have several over the course of the summer. They’re not major events that require extensive planning, but you will want to be somewhat prepared so that your backyard is known as THE place to be when summer rolls around!

For a memorable backyard barbecue, follow these fun and easy steps (and don’t forget to make premium fruit from Hale Groves a part of the celebration!):

1. Get invitations out early. If you’re planning a special celebration as opposed to an impromptu gathering, don’t wait to get the word out! Between vacations, kids’ camps and visiting friends and relatives, summer can be a busy time for everyone.

2. Make a back-up plan for rainy weather. Having a big backyard won’t help if you can’t fit all your guests in the house during a shower. If you don’t have a large, covered porch or patio, keep a party tent or awning in reserve, or plan to have guests gather in an open garage. In heavy downpours, move the grill under an eave or prepare dinner under the broiler.

• Bonus tip: Have board games, puzzles, family-oriented films, or other indoor activities ready to keep the kids amused should the skies open up.

3. Have plenty of food on hand. Summer is the perfect time to serve tried-and-true summer favorites like hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, deviled eggs, baked beans, fruit salad, watermelon slices and corn on the cob. Don’t be afraid to spice them up – there are many recipes available, from strictly conventional to ultra-gourmet. For dessert, serve a peach or nectarine cobbler, use slices of summer fruit to liven up a white or yellow cake, or or make a crumble with cherries and summer berries plus plenty of whipped cream. Grilled items and corn on the cob will have to wait for cooking until after the guests arrive, so to make mealtime go smoothly, prepare side dishes and set up drinks and hors d’oeuvres in advance. Be sure to have some veggie burgers, tofu hot dogs, and plenty of fresh fruit on hand for vegetarians or dieters. Stock up on hamburger and hot dog buns and condiments so you won’t run out, too.

• Bonus tip: For a fun activity that reaps rewards, invite the guests to help hand-crank homemade ice cream (peach ice cream made from Sweet Georgia Peaches from Hale Groves is an awesome summertime treat!).

4. Stock up on drinks. Use coolers to keep drinks convenient to your guests. Pack galvanized tubs or large plastic or resin containers with ice – they make great coolers that keep bottled and canned beverages frosty for hours. This will leave plenty of room in the fridge for jugs of old-fashioned lemonade and iced tea. When you’re stocking up on food and picnic supplies, don’t forget to stock up on ice, too! Inexpensive bags of ice can be found in the freezer section of most food stores.

• Bonus Tip: Prepare slices of fresh fruit that can be added to ice water, iced tea, and cocktails for a refreshing twist. Citrus is always popular, but don’t forget to use other summer fruits for this purpose, too!

5. Decorate with a summertime theme. Disposable cups, plates, napkins and tablecloths in summery styles can be found at party stores or your local grocery store. Set out edible centerpieces that include summer season fruit like fresh Mango and Georgia Peaches to add color and deliciousness to your tables.

• Bonus tip: Add tiny, toothpick “flags” to cut-up slices of mangos, peaches, pineapple, watermelon, and apricots! They’ll add a festive touch to an all-ages-friendly hors d’oeuvres tray (and make it easy for your guests to pick the fruit up, too).

6. Have outdoor games/toys on hand. Encourage your guests to work up an appetite for all the great food you’ve prepared with a variety of summer activities. Baseball and touch football are popular games at backyard barbecues but be sure to use a plastic ball and bat and a foam football if you’re worried about windows. Frisbee®, volleyball, kickball, badminton, and croquet are fun games adults and kids can enjoy together…they also keep the kids occupied while the adults socialize.

• Bonus tip: Make games extra fun by offer prizes to winning teams! Treat bags including fresh fruit can come in handy for this.