8 Essential Tips for Summer Hosting (and Actually Enjoying Yourself)

One involves your washing machine… and ice!

One of the best parts of summer is hosting friends and family for grill-outs, barbecues, picnics, and bonfires. The common denominator of all these warm-weather parties? They typically revolve around (delicious) summer-specific food, from grilled meat and crispy salads to cold drinks and s’mores.

But what about you, the host? How do you whip all this summer fun together and still have a good time yourself? We asked our Allrecipes Allstars how they best prepare for summer hangouts—and how to make them even more fun for everybody. Here are their eight steps to easy—and fun!—summer hosting.

1. Buy Your Protein (Way) Ahead of Time

Allrecipes Allstar Amy Barnes has a time-saving tip for grill-outs that may also save you a bit of cash. Instead of grabbing your protein the day of the event, buy your ribs or ground beef in bulk on your next trip to a warehouse club like Sam’s Club or Costco. When you get home, break up the ribs and hamburger right away into serving sizes, and thaw them as the event gets closer. You’ll be relieved you have pre-portioned serving sizes ready to go!

2. Premix Summery Drinks

If you plan to serve cocktails or mocktails at your summer soireé, save time by premixing them in large batches (here are some great ideas) in large jars or a drink dispenser without ice so they’re ready to go and don’t get diluted down. “Then, pour them over ice just before serving,” suggests Allrecipes Allstar Candice Walker. 

3. Plan Out Your Serving Dishes

Planning what you’ll serve is only one part of the equation. You’ll also need to figure out what you’re serving those things in. The day before or the day of the party, get out your serving dishes in advance and add notes indicating what you’ll serve in them. “Taking these extra steps helps me get to enjoy the day of, including not being exhausted by the time my guests get there,” says Walker.

4. Create a Makeshift Cooler

If you don’t have enough fridge space for drinks, you can create a makeshift cooler with your washing machine! “It sounds weird, but fill it with ice, add your extra drinks, and then when the party’s over, just run the draining cycle,” says Allrecipes Allstar Ashley Schuering. Another spin on the same idea: If you’re low on coolers, Allrecipes Allstar Traci Eshleman recommends filling an old planter box with ice to keep backyard beverages cold!

5. Get Creative With Dessert

Hosting a bonfire? Schuering suggests setting up a spread of candy bars, different types of cookies and crackers, and different-flavored marshmallows. Then, have a competition for the best or most creative s’mores combination and send the winners home with fun prizes (like extendable s’mores sticks). 

6. Choose Low-Maintenance Recipes

To save time and prioritize food safety at any summer party, go with recipes you can prepare ahead of time and serve cold or at room temperature, suggests Allrecipes Allstar Lisa Altmiller. “When making burgers or chicken at a party, I even par-grill them so my husband and I don’t have to spend as much time manning the grill and can spend more quality time with guests,” she says.

7. Keep Food Cold with Aluminum Trays

Once you take food out of the fridge, keep it at a safe (and refreshing) temp by freezing water inside aluminum trays. “Just place the same-sized pan on top of your salads or other chilled items,” says Allrecipes Allstar Ashley Berger.

8. Make Restrictive Diet Foods First to Avoid Cross-Contamination

Odds are, one of your guests has a special dietary need or preference, so it’s a good idea to include a gluten-free and vegan side option. Allrecipes Allstar Bri Evans recommends preparing the most restrictive diet foods first to reduce meal prep time and prevent cross-contamination. 

Read the original article on All Recipes.