Collaborative Post
The great British dinner party remains incredibly popular among Brits. According to a survey into the UK’s entertainment habits commissioned by Stoves, the average household throws at least one dinner party monthly. Therefore, it is a great idea to invite some of your best friends over for a good time. Dinner parties are mostly considered fancy, but you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a great meal with excellent company. Here are some useful tips to help you host a dinner party on a budget.
- Plan well
The best way to spend less money on a dinner party is to plan ahead of time. Consequently, make a list of everything you will possibly need, including plates, glasses, food, napkins, and utensils, and stick to this list. You are likely to shop for unnecessary items if you spend without a list, so keep this in mind. Also, it may be tempting to make lavish meals and redesign your dining room, but simplicity will work just fine here. It is also vital to plan your meals ahead of time to save money as well. Many dinner parties have 4-6 course meals, but you can do a simple 3-course meal instead. Offering guests an appetizer, main course, and dessert will help you spend less while ensuring your guests have an excellent time. Finally, stick to familiar meals instead of preparing complex dishes whose names you have barely mastered pronouncing. Besides, simple meals with minimal ingredients will ensure that you don’t spend much money.
- Buy cheap drinks
A wide range of expensive, fine wines and a fully-stocked bar cart sound like the foundation of a memorable dinner party. However, these drinks can drain your budget, so it is best to invest in cheaper alternatives. It is estimated that 49% of all UK adults are regular wine drinkers, and there is a bottle to suit everyone’s tastes and budgets. Therefore, you can find a wide range of wines in your local supermarket for £10 or less, which can delight guests at your dinner party. You can select one white and one red wine that will pair excellently with most of the dishes being served. In addition, you can offer one signature drink or punch that everyone can enjoy to cut down costs.
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- Host a potluck party
Potlucks are communal gatherings where each guest contributes a different, often homemade, dish to be shared. Therefore, a guaranteed way to trim your dinner party’s expenses is to make it a potluck party. Consequently, you can provide the main dish for your party as the host but tell your guests to contribute a common side dish or dessert. It is vital to specify what kind of dish you would like each person to bring to avoid ending up with all side dishes and no desserts or vice versa. Besides saving you a lot of money, potlucks are a great way to host if you are entertaining picky eaters or have diet restrictions yourself. Also, guests will surely have something to enjoy if they bring their dishes, lessening the odds of disappointment.
- Be selective with attendees
A dinner party for 15 sounds awesome, but it is prudent to consider whether that is what you truly want. If you want to have an intimate dinner party where everyone can engage in conversations with one another, experts recommend aiming for 6-8 attendees, including yourself. Also, consider the number of places you have if you want all guests to fit around the table. If the dinner party is outdoors, you should also consider how many individuals can fit on your deck. Generally, the more people you invite to a dinner party, the more cash you will part with. Therefore, being selective with attendees will help you stay within a low budget and guarantee a better dining experience for everyone.
- Borrow from friends
Many people tend to reserve their finest crockery for big occasions like Christmas, Easter and birthday dinners, as well as celebratory get-togethers. A dinner party is also an ideal time to bring out your best tableware to add a bit of luxury to your dining experience. It is highly likely that you are serving more guests than you have crockery for when hosting a dinner party. Therefore, consider borrowing some glassware, flatware, or tableware from friends instead of buying these items. You can also borrow folding chairs and tables, coolers for drinks, and grills from neighbours if you need them.
