It is exciting to be able to host your friends or family for a casual barbeque, a themed party, or a game night. However, entertaining may be expensive without the right planning, especially if you incur all the food and drink costs. Creativity and strategic planning allow you to host a memorable party without draining your wallet.
Learn more about how to entertain on a budget with our timely tips.
Have a Budget and Work Around It
By settling on a theme and creating a budget, you can determine how much you can spend on drinks, food, decor, entertainment, etc. A budget allows you to plan, reduce overspending, and avoid surprises.
Consider Inviting a Small Group
Hosting a large group of people can mean spending much on food and drinks. Consider keeping your guest list small to save money and stick to a budget. Having a smaller group will reduce costs and create an intimate experience where you can easily bond.
Settle for an Inexpensive Meal
When hosting your friends, you don’t have to splurge on pizza, chicken, or expensive desserts. You can serve dinner on a budget by exploring different options. Simple sandwiches, pasta, sauteed potatoes, soup, and hot dogs are some food choices you can try. Check your pantry for ingredients you can use before going grocery shopping.
Timing Is Everything
Picking the right time to host your friends or family is key to entertaining on a budget. Avoid planning your party or event in the morning or mid-morning, as you may have to offer a brunch. Hosting your party in mid-afternoon or late evening is excellent, as it allows you to offer simple snacks and drinks to keep people entertained.
Shop for Seasonal Ingredients
Shopping for seasonal ingredients can help you save money as the produce is readily available. During winter, you can get potatoes, butternut squash, oranges, apples, Brussels sprouts, etc., while in summer, you can take advantage of popular veggies like spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, cherries, watermelon, etc.
Host a Potluck Style Dinner
Buying food and drinks for a group of people can be expensive and may not be an option if you’re on a budget. Hosting a potluck-style dinner where you provide the main dish and your guests bring in salads, side dishes, appetizers, and desserts can help you save money. You can also opt for your guests to bring drinks to cut costs. Potluck-style dinners reduce your expenses and add variety to the menu.
Repurpose What You Have as Decor
Purchasing decor for an occasional party can be costly. Find creative ways to repurpose what you have in your home as decor. You could use framed photos, candles, live plants, etc., to create unique decor pieces.
Reduce Disposable Items
While disposable cups, plates, and other utensils are convenient, they are expensive, especially if you’re hosting a large group. Consider using reusable utensils to save costs and lessen the environmental impact.
Create a Signature Drink
Buying cans of beer or soda or providing bottled water can be expensive. Get creative with beverages by creating a signature drink using ingredients like flavored syrups, juice, and soda. To reduce costs, serve the drink in a dispenser or pitcher.
Plan Budget-Friendly Activities
You don’t have to invite your friends to a fancy restaurant for dinner or a bowling session for an enjoyable experience. You can entertain your guests through budget-friendly activities like a game night at home, a movie night, hosting a karaoke sing-along, playing charades, or being competitive with board games.
Explore the Outdoors
Planning your events or parties indoors all the time can get boring. Consider exploring the outdoors to keep your guests entertained and to save on indoor venue costs. You could host a beach party with volleyball, organize a picnic at the park, or plan a backyard barbeque if the weather permits.
Rent or Borrow Equipment
You don’t have to spend money on decor or party items; you’ll only use them once. Renting or borrowing equipment from party rental companies reduces costs and allows you to create an entertaining experience.
Host on a Budget
Entertaining doesn’t have to be expensive. With the above tips, you can still host your family or friends within a budget. Hosting a memorable and enjoyable gathering takes proper planning, creativity, and financial awareness.
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