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There’s still a few weeks left of summer but it won’t be long before it’s back to business as usual. Before getting back into the swing of things it’s common to throw one last charade. A backyard barbecue is a perfect event for your friends, relatives, neighbours, and colleagues to get together and celebrate the fun they’ve had this season. If you plan on hosting a barbecue before summer lets out, you’ll want to make sure you get everything on this list.
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Grill and Supplies
You can’t have great tasting barbecue food without a grill. So, if you don’t have one this should be first on your list. If you do have a grill but are planning on hosting a lot of people or people with special diets, you might consider grabbing another. Grilling supplies are also very important. Head out and buy supplies like spatulas, grilling forks, brushes, tongs, charcoal (or gas), and aluminium foil.
Lawn Furniture
You’ll need a comfortable area for your guests to sit, eat, and socialize. Depending on how many people you’re inviting, you may need to get to the store to purchase a few more items. This could include plastic lawn chairs, tables, and umbrellas for sun protection.
Sound System
No barbecue is complete without some good old tunes playing in the background. You may have a pretty mean playlist on your smartphone but you need the sound to be loud enough for everyone to enjoy. You could simply purchase a Bluetooth speaker system that syncs to your phone.
Bug Repellant
When you’re outside there are bound to be bugs and other types of pests present. Though you can’t wipe them out completely, you do want to do your best to protect your guests. Add bug repellant to your end of summer barbecue list. This should not only include sprays and lotions for the guests to apply when they arrive but should also include citronella candles and tiki torches to place on tables and around the perimeters of your yard.
Condiments, Spices, and Sauces
Every master grill chef needs their special spices, sauces, and condiments to whip up their favourite BBQ recipes. Once you know what’s on the menu, head to the grocery store to grab the ingredients you’ll need to make them. Don’t forget important staples like barbecue sauce, ketchup, mustard, and relish.
Meats and Veggies
Next up on your bbq checklist are meats and vegetables. Try to get these ingredients as fresh as you can for better health and taste. You can head to a local meat market to grab lean proteins at an affordable rate. Then, head to a farmer’s market to grab organic fruits and veggies. Since not everyone eats meat, be sure to have a variety of veggies available.
Beverages and Ice
Your guests will need something to drink to wash down all that delicious food. That means having plenty of fluids on hand. You should mix up your drink list. Of course, it’s alright to purchase alcoholic beverages for adults to indulge in like beers, wine coolers, and mixed drinks. However, you also want to have other options like fruit juice and juice boxes for children or soda for those who like to sip on a non-alcoholic bubbly drink. You’ll also want to make sure you have tons of water and plenty of ice and coolers to store the drinks and keep them cold.
Desserts
Who doesn’t want a little sweet treat after grubbing on that savoury barbecue cuisine? There are plenty of options for an end of summer barbecue. You can purchase fresh fruit with whipped cream, cake, ice cream (although you’ll need a place to store it), pie, and more. It might also be a thoughtful idea to purchase something sugar-free or low in sugar for diabetics or those who are watching their weight.
So, it looks like you have a lot of shopping to get done before your big end of summer barbecue. To make the shopping easier, be sure to review what’s already at your home and check recipes to ensure you’ve remembered everything to make your dishes. Once you’ve gathered everything on this list you’re ready to host an end of summer event your loved ones won’t soon forget.
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