Quick and Easy Party Planning: The BBQ

With Memorial Day right around the corner, it's natural for many to think about calling friends and firing up the grill. Good idea. This quick and easy party plan is all about throwing an easy BBQ.

Step One: Contact friends and family and invite them over for a BBQ. If you have friends who make great dishes (coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans etc) ask if they would be willing to make their famous dish and bring it to the celebration. **Now if you do ask friends give the more than a 6- hour warning.

Step Two: Visit your local party store like Party City and purchase plates, cups and utensils for guest and go with a color scheme theme like Red and Blue. If you want to go beyond a color scheme theme, think about a welcome to summer beach or pool party.

Step Three: Visit your grocery store and purchase items for this menu: hot dogs, bratwurst, hot links, hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw and all the condiments. If you want a little more in your BBQ think about chicken and find a great marinade and let the chicken soak in that flavor until you're ready to BBQ. You can also have a menu of Kabobs and allow guest to make their own Kabobs with beef, chicken, and shrimp or veggie.

Dessert! Think about brownie sundaes. Make a large pan of brownies (buy two boxes store bought brownie—I love Ghirardelli) and then some ice cream and a variety of sauces and toppings and allow guest to indulge.

Cocktails: A mix is necessary (sodas, beer etc). If you have a cool punch or sangria you want to test (this party is the perfect place).

Step Four: Once you make it home marinade your meats and then cook your dessert. While the dessert is in the oven set up your party with plates, cups etc and don't forget to get a cool paper table cloth and a few decoration items to make your fete perfect. Then once guest arrive, begin the grilling!

Need some recipe ideas? Well we've pulled some nice ideas for you to use.

The Ultimate Barbecued Chicken

Stuffed Bacon Cheeseburgers

American-Style Potato Salad

Creamy Cole Slaw

Most of all enjoy the day with friends and family

Happy Celebrating!