How to Decorate for a Fun Summer Barbeque

Summertime is a perfect time for a barbeque get-together. Warm weather, good food, and good friends are the hallmark of a summer barbeque. Set the mood with whimsical and informal decorations, such as an old fashioned kids wagon for holding bottled drinks, and handmade rock place cards. Arrange a spacious buffet table for your guests along with a charming tablescape, complete with summer-themed centerpieces. Adapt summer decorations for a patriotic Fourth of July barbeque, or a harvest-themed barbeque.

Summer Barbeque Buffet

Cover a long buffet table with a red and white checked tablecloth of other summer-themed floral print. Mix and match plaids, floral and solid prints for a shabby chic look. Place colorful plastic plates and extra napkins at either end of the buffet table. Place plastic flatware in recycled soup cans that have been wrapped in fabric that matches the tablecloth. Place a carved watermelon basket filled with a fresh fruit salad in the center of the table, as a tasty centerpiece. On a separate table, fill large galvanized tubs with crushed iced and bottled beer, wine coolers and soda. To one side of the table fill a vintage Radio Flyer wagon with more ice and kids beverages, such as juice boxes, lemonade and chocolate milk.

Summer Barbeque Tablescapes

Use decorative and informal touches when setting up your guest tables. Set each place with a colorful place mat, and wrap colored napkins with faux or real flowers for a summertime napkin holder. Decorate small rocks with multi-colored polka dots and paint each one with a guest's name for an easy and inexpensive name card. Place terracotta pots of flowers at intervals along the table in lieu of formal centerpieces. If you plan on holding your summer barbeque later in the evening, place candles and lanterns about the party perimeter, for subtle lighting. Stings of white Christmas lights are another easy and inexpensive lighting option.

Summer Barbeque Guest Favors

Thank your guests for coming to your summer barbeque by sending them home with thoughtful guest favors. Give each guest a jar of luscious homemade fruit preserves, such as strawberry-rhubarb, blueberry or raspberry. Embellish each jar with a pretty label that says "thank-you" (or some other personalized message). Other summer themed guest favors include bouquets of flowers from your garden, jars of local honey, or bags of garden-fresh veggies, such as green beans, tomatoes, peas or cucumbers.