I'm throwing my boyfriend a very casual birthday BBQ this weekend.?!
I'm throwing my boyfriend a very casual birthday BBQ this weekend.?
There will be around 25 people attending. I want it to be nice and fun, but I don't want to spend alot of money on the food. What are some creative things I could do to spice up the normal hot dogs and hamburgers? What are some great sides that I could serve?
Also, should I buy lots of different beer and wine or just serve one or two kinds and maybe a drink like margaritas?
I'm not going to have much time for preparation and setup. Thanks for your help!
Answers:
OK, I'll hit the most important topic first: BEER! :)
There are three different types of beer drinkers in the world...
First, there's the "Beer Snobs". They know the best and most obscure beers in the world and drink only those that meet their exacting standards. They will always bring their own beer in their own cooler to any gathering, with enough extra to offer to indoctrinate their own fine tastes to the heathen masses. You don't have to worry about these folks. They'll take care of themselves.
Second is the "Brand Afficionado". They have a favorite (generally mainstream) beer and drink only that brand at home or when ordering out, though when at a party they'll usually drink whatever is available without quarrel. Buy a couple different kinds of mainstream beers and you've got these guys covered.
Third is the "Beer Drinker". This is the person, when asked "Would you like a beer?" doesn't reply, "Umm, what kind do you have?", but instead cheerfully says, "Sure! Gimme one!". Obviously there's no thought to be wasted on this creature. If you have beer, they're happy. :)
As for the other spirits, you have to decide based upon the type of folks who'll be attending. Buy one bottle of Chardonnay and once bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon (decent, not expensive) per three people you think of as wine drinkers attending.
Go ahead and get a bottle of tequila (doesn't have to be expensive if using for mixed drinks) and a couple bottles of basic margarita mixer. Be sure to have plenty of ice. You're all set from the liquid side of things.
You can spice up the normal hotdogs/hamburgers by using...
Sides: Keep it simple. Go to the deli area of your local supermarket. No preparation and low cost.
OK, soapboxtime: I'm a man and I'm assuming you're a woman. I'm also assuming your boyfriend's a man, which means he and I have more in common than you can ever imagine (sorry, hon, but the Venus/Mars thing is true :)). Think of things from his perspective (it's his party, after all). If most of the attendees will be his friends, take your cue from him as to how to arrange the atmosphere. If it's not a surprise party, feel free to ask his opinion on things. Be advised that he'll do the usual amount of hem-hawing "don't do anything special on my account" sort of thing. Ignore it and forge ahead, having gained a small measure of wisdom from his "hem-hawing". ;)
I wish the both of you a happy life. :)
Serve 1 or 2 kinds of domestic beer. As for the hamburgers and dogs, you can make them really delicious if you mix 1 part Woody's Cooking Sauce to 2 parts Stubbs original bbq sauce (or another GOOD sauce) and about 1/3 of the bear of that little bear bottle honey.
First of all, alcohol is probably going to be the most expensive item on your list if you are providing. You might think about just supplying just some of it, and invite your guests to bring some additional drinks if they want something special. What is your audience? More wine drinkers or beer drinkers? Maybe ask your friends to bring the margaritas or a bottle of wine? Beer is probably going to be cheapest to provide for your guests, and its probably easier to just buy a bulk of one or two types of beer.
To spice up hamburgers and hot dogs, I would suggest a rub of some sort. Rubs are usually powdered spices that can be purchased cheaply at any grocery store and just worked into the meat prior to you making the patties (before you put them on the grill*). Hot dogs are a little harder to spice up as the only thing you can add is a topping. Fresh tomato, pickle relish, and onion are the original toppings for hot dogs, but you can really add anything that sounds good ranging from melted cheese to chili or the more traditional mustard and ketchup.
Give people plenty of choices for toppings; guacamole, chili, grilled peppers & onions, grilled jalapenos, grilled pineapple, etc. For sides, deviled eggs, coleslaw, potato salad, chips & dips, macaroni salad, fruit salad are always good. As far as the alcohol is concerned, make it a BYOB party, and you can supply the mixers, or maybe the margaritas. Have plenty of sodas and water for those who don't drink.
Have fun!!
As a former night club/bar owner, I can tell you that buying that much liquor for that many guests will cost you a major amount of cash. Also, wine is really out of place at a BBQ.
If you know what your boyfriend likes, buy a case of that. That way he will have plenty, and if some else likes his flavor they can have some. You don't want the guy to get tore down on his birthday, you could make the night more special that way "wink".
Honest, you can't go wrong with potato salad, chips and pork n beans. Might get a few ears of corn, slice them in half to throw on the grill. Three and a half cases of beer, make sure to get your boyfriends fav, and a couple of 12 packs of a light beer. If you insist on liquor, make daiquiris. They go a long way. Just go light on the rum.
All that should run you about 150 bucks, depending on where you live.
I have no more parties. I used to but those things always start out nice, but always end up nasty and vile, I quit.
I am also having a surprise party bbq I am also doing hamburgers, hotdogs and sausage. and chicken kabobs
My sides are
potato salad
macaroni salad
coleslaw
chips
dips
veg. tray
fruit tray
shrimp cocktail
pickles
and diffrent olives
birthday cake of course and
Here is another pasta recipe which is excellent that everyone LOVES and it is diffrent
1 box lingine cooked
1 8 oz. bottle italian salad dressing
3/4 bottle of suddenly salad supreme (spice aisle)
1/2 stick pepporoni sliced into bit size pieces
1 can sliced black olives
1 can baby corn
mix cooked patsa with all ing. put in the frig I like this one because it is better the longer it sits in the frig so if you can make it the night before. As for the drinks
I just bought some soda, and water and then I bought one Keg of Coors light and I told everyone to BYOB but I will also have a keg of Coors light this way if they don't like that kind they know to bring there own.
Hope this helps and have a Blast with party!
Good Luck!
Have a drink for me hehe
Supply one or two kinds & let people know to bring their own drinks.
I went to a BBQ & the host made this:
take medium cooked shrimp slice down the middle & add a small slice of jalopeno pepper (or any kind) wrap in 2" slice of bacon & put onto skewer Cover in BBQ sauce & cook until bacon is done. prep does take sometime, but it is so good!!!
Make some salads easy & quick
Ambrosia salad
3/4 to 1 bag mini marshmallows
1 container of cool whip (thawed)
1 can of crushed pineapple (drained)
1 can of fruit cocktail (drained)
1/2 to 3/4 bag of shreadded coconut
Mix together
Pistachio salad
1 box of pistachio pudding
3/4 to 1 bag of mini marshmallows
1 can crushed pineapple (drained)
1 container of cool whip (thawed)
Mix together
Pasta salad
1 bag of cooked spiral or fun colored pasta (rinse w/cold water)
1/2 bottle of italian or cheese fantastico dressing (add to your taste)
1 can of olives
1 small container of cherry tomatoes
1 cucumber peeled & sliced
Whatever else you like in a salad. Mix & serve.
Be at ease & your guest will have fun
Oh ya salads can be made the night before
Are you throwing it at a trailor park? Seems like the theme. I'd suggest maybe a side of sliced spam and a couple cans of pork and beans. I don't know if that would fit in your budget.
Buy a keg of cheap beer.
I would serve maybe two types of bear and some wine, keep it simple. As for jazzing up the hamburgers buy some baby bella mushrooms and chop them up really fine and add them to your hamburger mix, they keep the burgers nice and juicy and make them meatier. You could also do a lot of different toppings for the dogs and burgers such as, sauerkraut add a little beer to it while it is cooking, chili, cheese, sauteed onions or mushrooms, pickles, etc. You could also serve different types of rolls and people could really make it their own.
Some great sides would be cole slaw, sliced veggies with ranch dip or even blue cheese dressing, potato salad, potato chips. You could make just a nice salad as well and have a variety of dressings available. Good luck, and Have fun.