Having loved ones over for a meal (sanitary measures permitting) is one of life’s most comforting little pleasures. On the other hand, feeding several people, especially with the addition of wine and cocktails, can quickly put a big dent in your budget.
However, just because you’re trying to limit your expenses doesn’t mean you shouldn’t entertain the people you love for a nice dinner. By following these tips, you can plan your next dinner party on a budget.
Read on to the end as we share two recipe ideas for a vegan chili and a vegetarian frittata!
Choose the potluck format
By asking everyone to bring a dish, everyone contributes to the meal according to their means. So you’re not left alone with the bill. It’s also a great way to introduce variety and discover your friends’ favourite dishes. Just be sure to let everyone know if you have any food allergies or intolerance!
Do a “bring your own wine” event
As we all know, alcohol can be very expensive. If you really want to take care of the menu, you can ask your guests to bring a bottle of wine to share. People can also bring their favourite beer or spirits. Announce what you plan to serve so that people can choose alcohol that suits the meal.
Have a themed cocktail party
You can also create a specific cocktail for the evening, allowing you to choose a basic spirit that costs less. For the same quantity of alcohol, a large bottle of a single spirit usually is cheaper than several smaller ones.
Think about concocting a good refreshing sangria, which can be made with inexpensive red wine, frozen fruit, orange juice and a fizzy drink of your choice.
Plan ahead
Saving money means planning ahead, and that goes for dinner too! You know you’ll be hosting during the winter vacations and want to make your famous strawberry tart? Plan to stock up on berries in summer, when they’re affordable, and freeze them later.
Make a note of the more expensive ingredients and take advantage of sales to buy them, rather than waiting until the last minute and risking paying a lot more.
Keep it simple
To avoid going over budget, it’s best to keep things simple, from the number of courses and types of dishes to decorations and ambience. Reduce the number of courses and be creative! You could, for example, have an appetizer or bites made from potatoes, allowing you to serve a lighter main course.
For the decoration, if you want to add a few creative touches, don’t hesitate to go DIY. By reusing materials you already have, such as cardboard or even newspapers, tree branches or dried flowers, you can achieve this at virtually no extra cost.
Borrow what’s missing or buy at the dollar store
If you’re short of cutlery, chairs or glasses, don’t hesitate to borrow from someone who has some available. It’s not worth spending money on twenty dessert plates that you don’t need the rest of the time.
There are also rental services available for a fraction of the cost of buying new cutlery. You will, however, need to leave a deposit. Don’t hesitate to use our loan services if this deposit is out of your budget.
You also have the option of going to the dollar store, which often has very affordable flatware. This is a particularly good option for wine or cocktail glasses, which can easily be broken at a drinking party. This will save you from having to replace your own glasses in the event of an accident, especially if they’re more expensive.
Opt for brunch
Who doesn’t love brunch? Moreover, they’re often less expensive to prepare since expensive ingredients like large cuts of meat are avoided. There are also fewer services to think about since a buffet format is more appropriate for this kind of meal. Eggs, pastries, bacon, chopped fruits, fresh bread, and you’re done! Pancakes or waffles are a real treat while being both simple and very inexpensive.
Cook vegetarian or vegan dishes
We’ve already talked about it in another article: vegan or vegetarian dishes often cost less! In fact, here are two recipes for dishes (one vegetarian and one vegan) that can feed a whole table for very little money.
Vegan chili
A good spicy chili warms both body and heart! This recipe is easy to make and is inexpensive. If you’re having trouble finding textured soy protein, this dish is just as delicious using only black beans. This chili can be frozen later if you’ve cooked more than you need. No waste!
Vegetarian frittata
This traditionally Italian dish is easy to make and very versatile. It’s similar to a quiche but without the crust! There’s an egg base with which you can make just about anything.
From this basic recipe, you can add whatever vegetables you like or are in season. Frozen vegetables lend themselves very well to this recipe since everything is well-cooked. You can also add potatoes or sweet potatoes for an inexpensive version that will satisfy your guests’ appetites.
Finally, don’t hesitate to ask for help! Whether it’s to reduce the bill or organize the evening, entertaining doesn’t mean you have to do it all yourself. There will always be someone around to help you set up your decorations, prepare your cocktails or lend you a set of crockery.