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Select an appropriate day. Choose your guest list. Send out invitations. Ask guests to RSVP in advance. Make a shopping list.

Article:
You can hold a cookout on a holiday, to celebrate an event, or on any day of the week you feel like. Pick a time and day when most people you'll be inviting are free from work and school, such as a weekend.  Check the long-range forecast before deciding a date, and try to choose a day that has no chance of rain or storms. To make sure you and your guests have lots of time to prepare, start planning your barbecue at least two weeks in advance. Your cookout can be as big or small as you like, and you can invite anybody you want. Some people you might want to consider, include friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and classmates. Remember that the more people you invite, the more food, tables, and other essential supplies you'll have to prepare. The more people you invite, the more you'll spend. The invitations don’t have to be formal or even written, but you should give guests plenty of warning so they can plan to attend. On the invitation, you may want to ask guests to inform you about dietary restrictions. The invitations should include the event type, date, time, and location. There are lots of ways you can invite your guests, including:  Formal written invitations Evites An email with all the details A phone call to each person Having a guest list is essential not only so you know who’s coming, but also so you know how much food to purchase and prepare. On written invitations, write a date by which you want guests to respond. On the phone simply ask guests to tell you by a certain day if they can make it.  The RSVP deadline should be at least a few days before the cookout so that you know how much food to buy. As guests RSVP, make a note of who is and isn't coming. Go through your kitchen, barbecue tools, cupboards, and party gear and make a list of things you need for the cookout (other than food). Things you may need include:  Plates Utensils Napkins Barbecue fuel Barbecue utensils Decorations Tablecloths Aluminum foil