Friends and Family Cookout: Our Version of Mandatory Family Fun Day!

When the weekends approach my husband and I try and find fun things to do that don’t always encompass the bars. Since most of the poker runs we ride in to raise money for different things include said establishments, we decided we needed new events that exclude going out. We have an awesome community that we love to spend time with, however, we are burned out on the same places we constantly go to. That’s how the monthly family cookout was born! 

At least once a month someone hosts a cookout. Each family attending brings a dish and what they are drinking. The host provides the main course. This keeps costs down for the host and incorporates a variety of food for everyone! When attending we get everyone together and decide who is hosting next month's cookout, and so on. This concept reminds me of the good ole Marine Corps Mandatory Family Fun Days (the camaraderie that is 😉)

This concept is nothing new but it’s something we all love to do. We figured it’s a potluck with a fun spin on whose house it will be at each month. Next month the family hosting is doing a Mexican theme, so we are all bringing Hispanic dishes! We enjoy looking forward to choosing a dish to make and cook together. 

At our first cookout, we had over 30 guests, and it was a blast. Our guests were amazed at the amount of food and options since everyone brought a dish! We kindly remind our guests of our curfew (you may have read my last blog talking about our Cinderella Liberty -- 9 pm) that way we don’t get stuck entertaining past the time we prefer. 

Knowing that we have a cookout to attend every month keeps us excited about the weekend and the friends we get to spend time with. It’s a positive change of pace. We used to be the only ones doing the events and cookouts which was costly and stressful. Once we came up with the idea of all of us rotating each month, it took the strain off us feeling obligated to be the only ones making the effort. It’s something everyone was open to and excited to participate in! 

Some of the themes we have discussed and done may inspire you to create your own family and friend cookout rotation: 

• Bring your own steak night

The host provides sides and you cook your steak your way on our grill. 

• Family and friends brunch

The host provides an omelet bar. We put out our camping cooktop with a table full of things to put in your omelet, made to order of course! 

• Build your own kabobs

The host provides veggies & protein. Guests bring a dish and build their kabobs while my husband tends to the grill (the kids loved this one!)

These are just a few ideas we have done that hopefully inspire you to start your very own cookout rotation. We try to come up with simple ideas that are fun but take the stress off of hosting and help bring down the costs. Whether it’s a cookout with 2 families or 20 families, it’s still a great way to spend your Saturday with those you care about and of course chow down on some awesome food!