Memorial Day kicks off barbequing season for most of the United States (unless you live in the Sun Belt, where you probably fired up the grill for Easter). Barbeques involve a lot of people, but they don’t have to be stressful:

• Make Sure Your Grill Is Ready - You don’t want to be preparing it the day of the barbeque. Make sure it is cleaned, that all appropriate supplies are bought, and that if it’s a propane grill, that your tank is filled. For more, see Top Ten Tips - Getting Ready For Summer.
• Prepare What You Can Ahead Of Time - Instead of going crazy the day of the barbeque, prepare what you can ahead of time. Marinate meat, shape hamburger patties, create salads and more the few days before the barbeque. Also remember to shop a few days before the barbeque, just in case you forget anything. Who wants to scramble around going to the supermarket right before a barbeque?
• Consider Having A Pot-Luck Barbeque - If you’re having family or close friends for an impromptu, casual barbeque, consider making it potluck. Have one person bring a salad, another dessert, and another drinks, for instance. If they bring their own Tupperware, make sure it goes home with the correct person at the end of the day.
• Stay Simple With Snacks And Desserts - Don’t make yourself crazy by cutting cheese and arranging it on crackers with homemade pesto and cherry tomatoes cut into the shapes of flowers. Barbeques are supposed to be easy! Guest will be just as happy with cut vegetables, chips, cookies, fruit and other easy, simple snacks and desserts.
• Use Disposable Flatware And Cutlery - If you’re not up for washing dishes after your barbeque, buy disposable flatware and cutlery for easy garbage tossing after you’re finished. Same goes with tablecloths and napkins.
• Buy Bagged Ice - Instead of worrying that your freezer will not make enough ice in time for the party, just head to your nearest convenience store or beverage distributor to buy a bag of ice. It’s cheap, and it will save you a headache. Store the ice in an ice bucket or cooler.
• Place Garbage Cans In Strategic Places Around Your Yard - If you want people to throw out their own garbage, make sure that garbage cans or bags are accessible at a few points. If people don’t see garbage cans, they’re likely to let plates and food pile up around the yard.
• Create One Garbage Can For Recyclables - If you take cans and bottles to the recycling center, make sure you provide a pail specifically for recyclables so you don’t have to go sorting through the garbage after the party. Clearly mark which pails are garbage and which pails are for recycling.
• Have A Weather Plan - If it begins to rain, have a game plan. Will you have a tent set up, or will you move everything in side? If it does start raining, make sure others help you get everything inside.
• Put Your Music On Shuffle - Put your iPod or CDs on shuffle, or just put on a radio. Don’t worry about fussing with music.

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