5 Tips for Throwing a Neighborhood Summer BBQ

5 Tips for Throwing a neighborhood summer BBQ- This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SeeHowFreshWorks #CollectiveBias

On every summer bucket list you can find ‘BBQ’. Every time we move, we look for a neighborhood that is full of kids playing outside and neighbors chatting on the side walk. This summer we were lucky enough to host the neighborhood summer BBQ in our back yard. Being my first neighborhood party, I learned a few tricks that I wanted to share with you.

throwing the best neighborhood summer bbq ever

Tips for Hosting a Neighborhood Summer BBQ:

DON’T DO ALL THE FOOD YOURSELF

Have everyone bring a different side dish or dessert.  If the crowd is large, separate dish types by last name.  For example, have A-I bring sides J-N bring drinks O-R bring snacks and S-Z bring dessert. This way, you’ll only have to handle the main dish.

HAVE A DESIGNATED DRINK AND SNACK STATION

This helps with the flow and can be set up away from the food.  Depending on the size of the crowd, you could also have a special table with just kid’s drinks and another one just for adults!

Rubbermaid FreshWorks Summer BBQ

HAVE ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES

Turn up the tunes and have games such as , whistle helicopters, frisbees, bags set, hoolahoops, bubbles, footballs, sprinklers, chalk, scooters and a tub with water for super soakers. On hot summer days the water games are most popular. We also had a suntan/bug spray station to keep everyone protected while playing outside.

tips for throwing a neighborhood summer bbq

HAVE FOOD OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE

Because we want to be sensitive to everyone’s health needs we were sure to provide options for everyone. For example, we had a set of ribs with no BBQ, plane baked sweet potatoes, salad and had a fruit salad as a dessert option. Because I know how hard it is to stay away from the cookies and brownies, I always bring my famous fruit salad. I’ve never brought any leftovers home!

tips for throwing a neighborhood summer bbq

tips for throwing a neighborhood summer bbq

Summer Fruit Salad Recipe

Ingredients

  • Strawberries (1 large container)
  • Kiwi
  • Mandarin Oranges (1 8oz can)
  • Pineapple (cut a fresh one for best results)
  • Red Grapes
  • Blueberries (small container)
  • Blackberries (small container)
  • Lemon Juice (a 3 second squirt)
  • Honey (5 second squirt)

See the video below for how to mix my Summer Fruit Salad:

TIP: My biggest secret for this delicious summer fruit salad is keeping the fruit fresh until the weekend in my Rubbermaid® FreshWorks™ produce container.  Two reasons I use my FreshWorks containers over all others are:

  • That they have a Crisp Tray™ which elevates produce away from moisture and promotes proper airflow to help prevent spoilage. The FreshVent™ technology allows excess CO2 to escape, delaying produce spoilage. My strawberries stay fresh all week after my routine grocery trip on Sunday morning.
  • Lid, container, and tray are dishwasher safe and BPA free. Quick to clean and non-toxic for my family.

Rubbermaid FreshWorks produce containers #seehowfreshworks

FreshWorks Rubbermaid produce storage container

MAKE CLEAN UP SIMPLE

Having several designated areas for trash makes it easier on you!  If you are using disposable plates and utensils, it will make clean-up a  snap because everyone will be “pitching-in.” At the end of the night, wash a few containers that held your main dishes and that’s it!

tips for throwing a neighborhood summer bbq

Now that I’ve hosted my first Summer Neighborhood BBQ at our new house, I’m already planning next summer’s 4th of July Bash! Find more Rubbermaid® FreshWorks™ inspiration and learn about how the product works here. No more throwing out moldy strawberries after one week! You can also get $2 off FreshWorks™ produce containers while supplies last with this link.

Here is how you can find Rubbermaid® FreshWorks™ next time you’re at a Kroger near you:

Rubbermaid® FreshWorks™

FreshWorks Rubbermaid produce storage container

Pin for later:

Throwing your first Summer Neighborhood BBQ can be daunting. Here are my tips (including my famous Summer Fruit Salad recipe!) #seehowfreshworks #ad

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Great tips! Your fruit salad looks so delicious! Keeping fruit fresh is a challenge, so I’m checking out this Rubbermaid container!

    • It’s been a superstar! I gotta get more! I tend to over buy fruit and we’re not fast enough at eating it. The FreshWorks produce containers made our strawberries last longer!

  2. Some really great tips. Im also jealous that you live in a neighbourhood like that. Its very hard to find good, decent neighbours these days. Seemed everyone was having alot of fun 🙂

    • It definitely comes with a cost but worth it! I had a great safe neighborhood with lots of kids growing up so we wanted the same for our little girl! It was a lot of fun!

  3. This summer BBQ looks awesome! I have never tried the Freshworks containers before. They look perfect for storing summer veggies.

    • Exactly Sara! I put my farmer’s market finds directly in the containers and wash them when I’m ready to eat them. They last several days longer than they did before!

    • They’re the BEST! They sell them other places than Kroger. I saw them on Amazon and the large size is perfect for romaine lettuce (since Dad doesn’t eat much lettuce).

  4. Perfect timing considering I am hosting a BBQ next month. I am going to also invest in the Rubbermaid you suggested because fresh fruit has to be stored properly.

    • Perfect!! I hope these tips are helpful when planning your party! It is so nice to not have to throw away fruit at the end of the week!

    • Wonderful! I hope you’re able to use these tips for your next party! Thank you! I was pretty happy with my first video! I am excited to do another one!

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