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Barbecue Party Planning Made Easy

BBQ ideas, tips, checklists and a guest contribution list to host a perfect backyard barbecue.

Step-by-step guide to planning your barbecue party

  1. Define your barbecue basics and create your event — Decide what kind of barbecue you want: casual family lunch, friends-only evening BBQ, or a bigger neighbourhood grill party. Fix a date, start and end time, and choose the location (backyard, terrace, park with grills, or shared garden). Then create your event in Fiestukis, add these details, and invite your guests so you have one clear place to coordinate your barbecue party planning together.
  2. Plan the menu and grill setup — Choose what you’ll grill: sausages, burgers, chicken wings, veggie skewers, halloumi, corn on the cob, or fish. Think about sides like salads, bread, dips, and sauces, plus simple desserts such as fruit, brownies or ice cream. Check how many grills you have, if you need charcoal or gas, and note any vegetarian, vegan or allergy needs in your Fiestukis event so everyone knows what to expect.
  3. Use a guest contribution list for food and drinks — Create a clear “bring something” list in Fiestukis with categories like meat, vegetarian options, salads, snacks, desserts and drinks. Add specific items (e.g. “potato salad”, “veggie skewers”, “soft drinks”, “ice”) so guests can claim what they’ll bring and you avoid five identical pasta salads. This barbecue guest contribution list keeps costs fair and makes sure all essentials are covered without stress.
  4. Organise seating, shade and table setup — Count your guests and check if you have enough chairs, benches and tables for food and drinks. Plan shade with umbrellas, a gazebo or a simple sheet if your garden is very sunny, and add a note in Fiestukis if guests should bring camping chairs or blankets. Prepare serving trays, plates, cutlery, napkins and rubbish bags, and set up a separate table for raw meat and a clean area for cooked food.
  5. Plan drinks, music and activities — Decide on the drink style: only soft drinks, mixed, or BYO alcohol, and list what’s needed in your Fiestukis contribution list (water, juices, beer, wine, ice, coolers). Create a simple playlist with relaxed background music and, if you like, plan easy games such as garden darts, cards, a football, or a kids’ corner with colouring and bubbles. This makes your backyard barbecue feel like a real event, not just “everyone standing around the grill”.
  6. Prepare a timeline and backup plan — Roughly plan when guests arrive, when the grill starts, and when desserts or coffee will be served so you’re not rushing. The day before, marinate meat, pre-chop vegetables and chill drinks; on Fiestukis, send a short reminder with what people are bringing and any last details. Check the weather and have a simple backup: a canopy, indoor space, or a rain date already mentioned in your event description.

Complete guide to stress-free barbecue party planning

For a typical backyard barbecue, plan roughly:

  • Meat and mains: 250–300 g per adult (e.g. 1–2 sausages plus a burger) and about half for kids.
  • Vegetarian options: At least 1–2 items per vegetarian/vegan guest (veggie burgers, skewers, tofu, halloumi).
  • Sides: 2–3 different salads or sides for every 6–8 people, plus bread and dips.
  • Dessert: Simple options like fruit, brownies or ice cream for everyone.

Use your Fiestukis contribution list to see exactly how many guests are coming and what each person is bringing, then adjust quantities so you don’t massively overbuy.

A good mix for guest contributions is:

  • Grill items: Meat, sausages, veggie burgers, skewers, halloumi.
  • Sides: Salads (green, pasta, potato), bread, dips, sauces.
  • Drinks: Soft drinks, water, juices, beer or wine, plus ice.
  • Extras: Desserts, snacks, paper plates, napkins, charcoal or lighter cubes if needed.

In Fiestukis, create a detailed barbecue guest contribution list with specific items so people can choose what to bring and you avoid duplicates.

First, ask about dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, allergies) in your Fiestukis event description or a quick poll. Then plan:

  • Separate grill area or tray for vegetarian/vegan items so they don’t touch meat.
  • Clearly labelled dishes for gluten-free or allergy-safe foods.
  • At least one full meal option for each restricted diet, not just salad.

Encourage guests with special diets to bring a favourite dish via the contribution list so they know there’s something they love.

Keep it simple and focus on a few reliable basics. Choose 2–3 main grill items (for example sausages, burgers and veggie skewers) and repeat the same marinade instead of many complicated recipes. Prepare salads and sauces the day before, and set up a self-service drink station with cups, ice and a marker for names.

Use Fiestukis to split responsibilities: one person brings salads, another desserts, someone else extra chairs. This way your first barbecue party planning experience stays fun and not overwhelming.

Always have a simple backup plan. Options include:

  • Cover: A gazebo, canopy or large umbrellas so you can still grill outside and eat under shelter.
  • Indoor space: Move tables and chairs inside while keeping the grill outside if it’s safe.
  • Rain date: Propose an alternative date in your Fiestukis event from the start so guests know the plan.

Share your weather plan in the event details and send a reminder the day before if the forecast changes.

For a relaxed afternoon barbecue, you might:

  • +0:00: Guests arrive, drinks and small snacks are ready.
  • +0:30: Start grilling the first round of food.
  • +1:30: Second round of grilling and fresh sides on the table.
  • +2:30: Desserts, coffee or tea, maybe a simple game.
  • +3:30–4:00: Slow wind-down, last drinks, start light clean-up.

Share this rough timeline in your Fiestukis event so helpers know when to arrive with salads, desserts or extra ice.

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