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Barbeque Express

Do you dream of the smell of smoking charcoal briquettes in the hot summer sun? Do you fantasize all winter long about shiny new barbecue tools and the zesty taste of the down-home barbecue sauces? Do you attend endless parties with the same old theme are you find yourself daydreaming about grilling steaks, ribs, burgers, chicken, or hot dogs? Are you sick and tired of the fancy food and costumes that go with the fancy theme parties? Are you having trouble waiting for a holiday that focuses on gathering outside and grilling food? If you have answered "yes" to one or more of these questions, then you are going through "Barbecue Withdrawal". Don't laugh. This is very serious! The only cure is to host the biggest, best barbecue bonanza that your backyard has ever seen. Invite everyone on your block to come to your backyard for fun in the sun and to sample your famous barbecue recipes.

Barbecue Invitations

Summon your neighbors with a personalized invitation in a western or patriotic design, perfect for any barbecue feast. Another option is to create a bandana invitation; take your invitation and wrap it in a bandana. You can use this theme throughout the day with bandana plates and bandana napkins.

Send each guest a piece of Tupperware with the details of the barbecue shindig inside. Invite each family to make their favorite side dish or dessert (to be placed in the Tupperware) to compliment your culinary creations. (The guests keep the Tupperware as a favor).

Invite your friends by hand-delivering specially made "barbecue bibs" entailing all of the party information. Roll the bibs and tie them with red and white ribbon for a festive look.

Hand-deliver barbecue sauces to your potential guests. There are so many different sauces to choose from that you can probably send everyone a different one. Create a label with party details and stick it around the bottle. Hand deliver or send.

If the BBQ is commemorating a special event (i.e. Father's Day, birthday, graduation, holiday, etc.), let Party411 custom design a caricature for you!

BBQ Decorations

"Bar-b-que" paper products are perfect for you barbeque.  Covered with hamburgers, hotdogs and skewers, this design is fun and entertaining. Looking at this adorable set of products, you can practically smell the barbecue.  We think the Hamburger Plate is great!

Also check out the Boot Scootin' papergoods, tablecovers and more - these work whether it’s a BBQ or a western party and they’re better than washing those dishes in hot water over a campfire…believe you me!

Since the festivities will most likely take place in the backyard, make sure to hang some lanterns throughout the party using fishing line. Another fun idea is to use festive b-lights in the shape of Western Boots and Cactuses, flamingoes, watermelons, or anything else that will add fun and color to the party.

You can serve your food on our Backyard BBQ Platter and in our Backyard BBQ Bowl.  

OK, so what BBQ or outdoor party is complete without those pesky flies and ants. While we can all do without the real ones, why not use plastic ones to spread around the tables as confetti or to freeze in your ice cubes. In fact, put them everywhere-on plates, at your entrance, in the beverage containers. It will start to become very funny, providing hours of amusement to many! 

Barbecue Party Products

Try these 10-gallon favors and decorations for your barbecue!

• Cowboy Hats - in neon, straw, for kids and adults. Use as centerpieces with balloons or to decorate the buffet or as seating cards with the name on the brim!

• 24" Foam Cowboy Hats - are great for buffets, photo opportunities and more!

• Western Vest - get one of these for each of your servers (if you’re having a caterer or dress yourself! The host/ess should always be in theme, don’t you think?

• Beach Ball - What’s a barbecue without one, especially if a pool or beach is involved.

• Bandanas - these are great for both napkins, headbands, neckerchiefs and even as a handkerchief for a guest with a cold!

• Decorating Kit - the kit includes 1-19" and 2-14" tissue balls, 6-25" tissue fans, 12-16" western cutouts and 4-12' garlands.

• Glow - from straws that glow in the dark (now that makes for interesting backyard evening BBQ, no?) to necklaces, earrings (known to be worn as a nose ring by many a beer-toting male) these are the perfect favors.

• Country Western Music CD - to make the evening complete! Music for line dancing and more! You thought of everything!!

If you want your barbeque to have a patriotic flavor try these decorations and favors:

• Patriotic Kit for 25 - Red, white and blue hats, tiaras, noisemakers and leis for 25 of your guests!

• Proud To Be American Cd - Music makes the party, so don't forget to include these patriotic tunes!

• Flag Folding Fan - These fans will keep your guests cool at the party, and then everyone can take one home, so they double as a favor!

• Patriotic Cooler - Keep your drinks cool in this inflatable patriotic cooler.

• Patriotic Vests - If you are having servers or a bartender, dress them in these great red, white and blue vests, or get one for the guest of honor so they really stand out!

• Flashing American Flag - These flashing magnetic flag pins make great favors.  Attach them to your seating cards for a fun touch!

BBQ Seating Cards

Roll up and ribbon-tie one bandanna for each person as a seating card. Tie off the seating card with their name and table number and you have a party favor, too.  Or attach a flashing American flag pin, or a patriotic star LED ring,  to the card.  Another option is to attach cards to plastic pinwheels and stick them in buckets of sand.

BBQ Centerpieces

So many different centerpieces can be created for this type of party. Since the party will be taking place in the heat of summer, set a plastic pail in the middle of each table and fill each one with a variety of different sunglasses. Each person can choose a pair to keep as a party favor!

For a creative centerpiece, use an old-style metal coffeepot, baskets lined with with bandannas to use as a bread basket , some old-style metal coffee cups, and several bottles of fancy barbecue sauce. Just put these all together in the center of the table. Tie off the baskets with helium filled balloons in solid colors or shaped ones.

For another great centerpiece idea, set a utensil holder in the middle of the table holding a variety of grilling tools. Tie a balloon to the tip of each tool to give your centerpiece some height.

Barbecue Menu

How about some fabulous barbeque recipes from Honeysuckle White. To see some of our favorite recipes for all the summer months out our Party Menu.

Barbecue Party Activities

Barbecue party games are always a lot of fun. Make sure to have plenty of relay races planned so that everyone gets into the spirit. Here are some ideas to help get you started.

• Tie a Yellow Ribbon - This is a great way to introduce everyone if you have an even number of people at your party. Buy some yarn or ribbon, and cut the ribbon/yarn up into various lengths (at least 100-400 uneven pieces). Put everyone into pairs, and have them search throughout the yard to find as many pieces of ribbon/yarn as they possibly can. They must work with their partners to tie each piece of ribbon/yarn together to create one long piece of yarn/ribbon. The team with the longest piece of ribbon/yarn at the end of 15 minutes wins the game.
• Couples Relay - When the host/hostess says, "Go," the first partner has to eat two crackers. Then as quickly as is possible, he/she has to whistle a designated tune to his/her partner. When the partner guesses the tune correctly, he/she has to pop a balloon (that is already blown up) by sitting on it. The partners then get together, and must run to the finish line with an orange between their lips. To show that they have finished, one person must sit in the other person's lap!
• Lay an Egg - In each pair, the partners stand with their backs to each other. Placing a raw egg between their backs, the object of the game is to lay the egg on the floor without it breaking. The first couple to successfully place the egg on the ground without so much as a crack in it is the winner.
• Belly Burst - Everyone must divide into random pairs. Each couple has to hold a balloon between their stomachs. The couple who is able to burst the balloon first using only their stomachs is the winner.
• Of course, there is always the traditional potato sack races, balloon toss, tag and backyard baseball. Badminton, croquet, Frisbee and horseshoes, while seemingly usual, are all actually great ways for people to relax, socialize and be outside.

Barbecue Party Favors

Send your guests home with something that reminds them of the blast they had at your barbeque:

• This candy bar wrapper design is one of my favorites. Makes a great favor.
• Some of the most popular favor ideas for a barbecue party are items that glow. Barbecues begin in the daylight but usually last well into the evening. Everyone loves to walk around the party with a variety of body parts glowing so had out glow jewlery.
• Send everyone home with their very own "Kiss the Cook" apron. For a laugh, use paint that won't wash off of clothing and put a child's handprint on each apron.
• Plastic pinwheels, plastic foam plane gliders, kites, bubbles, jump ropes, outdoor chalk and water toys are great favors for kids.
• Personalized soda bottles, BBQ sauce, BBQ tools or outdoor mugs are all useful and appreciated by adults.

Everyone from Party411.com hopes that you have a great time grilling at your barbecue. Don't forget that the Party Girl and the Party-ettes like their ribs with extra spicy sauce!

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