Labor Day weekend seemed to sneak up this year. In many parts of the country, the weather shows no sign of cooling down yet. If you forgot to make plans, why not host a party and celebrate? You can put together an inexpensive, easy BBQ for friends and family with a few quick steps. The ideas below will help you get started, while sticking with your budget.
Send out an evite.
No need to worry about getting an invitation in the mail at this late date. Send an email invitation through a free service like Evite or create a private event on Facebook. For anyone that doesn’t go online often, just give them an old-fashioned phone call. All of these methods are free, so you won’t be adding any pressure to your budget.
The other great thing about these online invitations is you can communicate with your guests in real-time and collaborate on the event. You’ll see right away who can attend or who has other obligations. You can also send additional messages and reminders or start group discussions. This method comes in handy when deciding what guests should bring to the party, which gets us to the next step.
Crowdsource your menu.
There’s nothing wrong with a potluck. In your group invitation, list the items that you would like party goers to bring if possible. These should be the “add-on” items, such as salads, appetizers, drinks, side dishes and desserts. When someone commits to bring something, the rest of your invited guests will see that item has been claimed (thus avoiding the “three potato salad problem”).
If you don’t have enough fuel or charcoal for the grill, you could ask one of your guests to bring some they have on hand in lieu of you buying a large supply that might not get used before the end of the summer.
Choose entrees carefully.
As the host, you should provide the menu staples for your guests. Staples can include the meats for grilling as well as a vegetarian option. You should also consider having one or two side dishes on hand, as well as condiments and non-alcoholic beverages. That way your costs can stay low, but you will have enough food available if any guests are a no-show.
A tossed salad and chips are two budget-friendly menu items. If you want to offer veggies and dip, cut up your own vegetables instead of buying the prepared platter to save money (the most frugal option yet is to use produce leftover from your own garden). In-season fruit like watermelon, which can serve a lot of people, is also an idea for a reasonably priced appetizer.
For your entrees, check your grocery store for deals. The holiday and end of summer should offer discounts on typical grilling meats. You can also make cheaper substitutions. Instead of steak, cook up hamburgers. Rather than chicken breasts, grill thighs instead (many find them to be more flavorful anyway). If you’re offering fish, ask the expert behind the counter what’s best on the grill, and avoid the pricey catch of the day. As for a vegetarian entree, try stuffed peppers or veggie skewers. Veggie burgers are always an option, as well.
Don’t forget to search and print off coupons before you head to the grocery store for potato chips, rolls, condiments or soda. And when you’re at the store, you can be flexible and pick up whatever is discounted.
Stick to simple decorations.
Since it’s the end of the summer, a season of eating outdoors, frequent parties and wedding showers, you likely already have the paper goods and decorations you’ll need. Check your own inventory before you buy anything new. Keep things simple; there’s no need to go over the top with a theme or expensive decorations. If you do need a few things, head to the dollar store. Summer items might be discounted even further as store owners try to clear shelves for incoming inventory.
The main idea for a Labor Day BBQ is to enjoy the company of your guests. With less preparation and stress, you’ll be able to relax and soak in the last days of summer.
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Tips for a Cheap Labor Day BBQ originally appeared on usnews.com
