10 cheap and cheerful ways to entertain
Sharing good food and wine with friends is one of the most enjoyable things we can do. However, entertaining doesn’t have to be as lavish or competent as the Iron Chef, or as nightmarish as Gordon Ramsay shows us. You can have just as much fun keeping things simple, yet stylish. And the big bonus is you can entertain with a minimum of fuss, even on the tightest of budgets.
Here are 10 clever ways to keep costs down when entertaining at home.
1. Plan ahead - make a plan and budget for what you will serve. Around $10 a head should cover it but allow extra for "fancy" food or alcohol.
2. Recipe finder - don’t spend a fortune on cookbooks when you can get free budget entertaining recipes online or from your local library.
3. Fresh is best - when planning what food you will serve, stick to simple dishes that feature fruit and vegetables that are in season. Using produce in season is a whole lot cheaper than paying a premium for imported or hard-to-get products.
4. Save with specials - check supermarket catalogues and buy items on special. You’ll be surprised how much you will save, particularly when using Homebrands or No Brands.
5. Freeze frame - buy special cuts of meat for entertaining while on special and freeze until needed.
6. Stretch your meals - using rice or pasta will make a meal go much further. Add more vegetables and less meat for a tasty way to save on ingredients.
7. Potluck Party - invite guests to bring and share their signature dishes. Set up a buffet so guests can try a bit of everything. This works particularly well with a themed dinner such as an Indian curry or Italian pasta night.
8. Table talk - a spectacular table centerpiece or theme is a terrific way to inject the "wow" factor into your entertaining. There are plenty of ideas around that you can adapt for free just by using your imagination. If that fails, $2 shops are great for table decorations such as candles and holders.
9. Chill out - A jug of chilled water with a few lemon slices looks beautiful on the table and is much cheaper and healthier to offer guests than juices or soft drinks.
10. Scale down - If you’re still concerned about spending too much, scale down your entertainment plans. Instead of a "whole" meal, host a morning or afternoon tea, brunch, or afternoon nibblies. You can entertain even more cheaply by having a cards, board game or puzzle night where you only need to serve snacks.
There’s no need to miss out on inviting friends over and having fun just because you’re focusing on paying off your mortgage, getting that credit card debt down or saving madly for a holiday. Sensible planning at the start could see you kicking up your heels and enjoying a great night in.
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