There’s no better way to kick off the summer season than hosting a Memorial Day cookout. Taking in the fresh breeze, consuming flavorful foods, and indulging in a sweet beverage or two… The scene sounds heavenly. Here, we’ve provided you with a few suggestions to take your Memorial Day cookout to the next level. See what fits your home and start planning!
Food Prep
Food rules the occasion, so be sure to feed into your guests’ preferences. Burgers and hot dogs are a good place to start. If you want some more creative options, try grilled pizza, BBQ chicken, or Asian BBQ salmon.
Post Up Some Shade
You can’t exactly bring the air conditioning outdoors, and those little handheld fans just don’t do the trick. What’s the next best thing for sun relief? Put up a pop-up tent or canopy so that your partygoers can flock underneath. Tents will also protect them from any unexpected showers.
Scare the Bugs Away
As warmer weather trickles in, so do the bugs. They’ll hover above the food, land in the drinks, and perch themselves on seats and people. To keep the creepy crawlers at bay, invest in some citronella torches or candles and place them strategically throughout the yard. Double up on protection with bug spray for everyone to use.
Get the Tunes Rolling
If you don’t already have speakers set up outside, hook it up! Then create a crowd-pleasing playlist with songs you know your guests will like.
Hang Lights & Get the Party Glowing
During the day, these pearly string lights may be of little use, but once the sun goes down, they’re a huge hit.
Hang lights in areas you want people to congregate, like around the fire pit or on the front porch to stargaze.
Do you have any tips for hosting a Memorial Day cookout? Share them with us in the comments below!