Warm weather is here and your backyard is calling for a barbecue. You’re ready to go but your budget is saying, “Hold up, wait a minute.” Have a great cookout does not have to break the bank. You can have fun, a fabulous menu and decorations on the variety of budgets. Here’s how.
Start with a realistic budget. We’re going to look at what can be done with $25, $50 and $100 for 15 people. Do what you can do to make the event as spectacular as you can. What people come for that is priceless is the enjoyable company of family and friends. Plan your guest list and invite the people who you want to spend time with. Invite the fun people in your life who will add joy and pleasure to your barbecue.
If all you have is $25 to spend on a cookout use that money for the following:
- Decorative Paper products (plates, cups, and napkins)
- Plasticware
- Aluminum foil
- Ice
- Frozen juice
- Lemons
- Ketchup, Mustard, and Relish
- Charcoal for the grill
- Flowers for a centerpiece
You are providing the barbecue basics with a well-set table and floral centerpiece, an amazing fruit punch with frozen juice and freshly squeezed lemons and a hot grill.
The menu is:
- Hamburgers
- Hotdogs
- Grilled chicken
- Baked beans
- Roasted corn
- Potato salad
- Pasta salad
- Deviled eggs
- Cupcakes
Divide the menu among your invited friends and this barbecue becomes a group effort potluck. Food is excellent as a glue between family and friends. The people you invite will welcome the opportunity to bring a dish and join in the fun.
For the $50 budget start with the same basics of the $25 cookout and add the meat. Spend $25 on ground beef and buns, hot dogs and buns, drumsticks and wings, barbecue sauce, sliced cheese.
Find friends to also bring coleslaw and fruit salad. Ask someone to bring flowers from their yard for your centerpieces. They add beauty without any cost. Have nice vases to put them in. Decorate your table and backyard furniture.
For the $100 budget start with everything that’s included with the $25 and $50 budgets. With the extra $50 that you have, you can do several things. Double your guests and you will have the necessary money to double everything that you have. Make sure you also double the number of people bringing dishes.
You can also add more to your menu with the additional money with dishes that you make like mac and cheese, corn casserole, chicken kabobs, grilled vegetable kabobs, zucchini gratin, turkey and veggie burgers.
The extra money can also be used to buy more ingredients for the amazing fruit punch like blended strawberries and pineapple.
Having a great barbecue doesn’t have to break the bank. Choose your budget, get started and enjoy the fun. Visit our Recipe page here.
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