Welsh summertime is well under-way with temperatures topping 20 degrees in places over the past fortnight — just in time for National BBQ Week (29 May – 04 June). And what better way to bring communities together this summer than inviting family, friends and neighbours around for a garden barbecue?
For those who have recently moved into a new home, hosting neighbours in your garden for the first time may seem like a daunting task — particularly if you’ve not long finished unpacking boxes. That’s why local housebuilder, Barratt Developments, is sharing its top tips for hosting your first back-garden bash…
Break out the barbecue
Before even thinking about inviting people around, you need to figure out the best way to cook up a feast for your guests.
If you’ve recently moved in, you may not have bought a barbecue yet — but don’t panic. Find the best deal to suit your budget and get it ordered as soon as possible. You could even cook the food indoors and finish it off on a table-top barbecue if that better-suits your budget!
If you do already have a barbecue to work with, give it a good scrub down the day before your big cook-out to allow time for the chemicals to burn off in advance of cooking. The best way to do this is with a wire scrubber brush — designed specifically for grills.
- Prepare the food before your guests arrive
There is nothing worse than guests arriving while you’re still preparing side salads and burger buns — it’s your party, after all!
Side dishes could be prepped up to a day in advance if stored correctly in the fridge, so give yourself a head start wherever possible. Roping in a helping hand from a neighbour could also be a great way to start connecting with your new community.
And if you’re struggling to fit everything in before the big day, ask friends and family to bring along a side dish each — there will be more than enough food to go around.
- Keep it simple
Hosting for the first time in your new home can be stressful, so try not to get carried away preparing too many different food options — guests will be happy with the classics such as burgers, sausages and chicken skewers.
However, remember to keep any vegetarian or vegan friends in mind by preparing some vegetable skewers or meat-free burgers. And ask in advance about any dietary requirements — you’ll be too busy to make a last-minute dash to the supermarket on the day.
- Set up a snack table
The last thing you want is hungry guests loitering beside the barbecue whilst you grill (and if they’re new friends, you want to make a good first impression!) This can be easily achieved by setting up a snack table that guests can graze on while they wait for the main event. Some great options include crisps and dips, breadsticks, olives, antipasti meats and vegetable sticks with hummus — and will buy you a little more time to grill your spread to perfection.
- Pull up a chair
If you have just moved in, guests will appreciate that you may not have masses of outdoor furniture at your disposal. However, there is nothing more awkward than standing around balancing your plate in one hand, a drink in the other and having no spare hands to actually eat with — we’ve all been there! A few chairs or side tables scattered around will therefore be a welcome addition.
If you haven’t got around to purchasing garden furniture yet, get resourceful by making use of old packing boxes, indoor furniture — or ask your guests to each bring a chair.
- Light up your space
The best barbecues can carry on well into the evening, so there is a good chance it will start getting dark before your guests leave. Outdoor solar-powered lights can be purchased on a budget from most supermarkets and bargain stores — but make sure you get them in place in advance to allow them time to charge.
Alternatively, you can move the party inside and give your guests the full housewarming experience!
- Elevate the mood with a playlist
Now you’re all set for your guests to arrive, there is one final thing to do — get the music started. Whether you are going for chilled acoustic or up-beat summer hits, the right playlist will bring your BBQ to life and put your guests in a great mood.
What’s more, if you’re really organised, you could set up a collaborative playlist in advance — asking your guests to add their favourite songs to the list. Another great reason to reach out to new neighbours and break the ice ahead of your gathering.
To find out more about Barratt Developments new homes across South Wales, where you could be hosting your next summer barbecue, visit: https://www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/wales/south-wales/
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