Cheap BBQ Idea #1:

One of the biggest costs at a barbeque is the menu.It's tough to feed a crowd on a short budget. Rather than bending over backwards to find sales or bargain buys, why not have guests try to bring their own meat to the party for a more variety-filled BBQ experience?

Host a "bring your own meat" barbeque by asking guests to bring whatever they want to grill to the party.

This is a brilliant money-saving strategy for two reasons:

You don't have to shell out over $100 to feed all your family and friends.

Guests get to spend as much as they feel comfortable spending and still enjoy exactly what they like.

Oil tycoon Uncle Charlie can bring four filet mignons while family members on a budget can chow down on tasty burgers and hot dogs. Likewise, the "bring your own meat" solution is perfect for vegetarian friends who can bring bell peppers, tomatoes and onions to enjoy on the grill.

Keep the get-together casual and have a member of each family grill up dinner for everyone. This is easier if you host the BBQ at a park where there are multiple grills to use. Then, create one communal buffet table with salads, sides and apps for everyone to enjoy!

A great way to organize a potluck like this one is through the invitation you send out. For an informal summer party, why not use our online invitations? It's easy and fun to create a custom invite and manage guest or potluck lists, too.