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If you love to entertain family and friends, you might be wondering how you can do so on a budget. Entertaining can be expensive, when you consider the cost of food, decorations, and everything else that can be involved. Instead of going broke trying to arrange a good time, take a look below at tips for entertaining on a budget. These tips will help you throw one heck of a party for pennies!
1. Make your own décor.
You don’t have to be super crafty to create your own party décor. You can easily find supplies such as candle holders, votives, flowers, fun frames, and other party supplies at your local dollar store. Whip up simple centerpieces for the tables and buffet, use lots of candles, and create a sparkling ambiance for less.
2. Buy reusable serving supplies.
Invest in some plates, cloth napkins, and serving pieces that you can use from party to party. This way, you aren’t throwing money away on disposable products. Yes it is a little more work to wash it all instead of just throwing it away, but in the long run you will be savings some serious cash.
3. Ask guests to share a favourite side.
Encourage your guests to show off their culinary skills and bring a favorite side. Provide a main dish and allow the sides to fill in for the rest. Make this fun by asking them to bring the recipe too, that way they can share and show it off to the other guests. This is a great way to take some of the food burden off of you.
4. Get creative with beverages.
Make a fun punch from drink mix and fresh fruit. Drink mixes cost just pennies a gallon and are much less than buying cans or bottles of soda or booze. Dress up pitchers of ice water with fresh lemons, cucumbers, or limes. It is fancier and cheap than providing bottles of water.
5. Provide cheap entertainment.
Set up a table with easy to grab games such as cards, dominos, and other small board games. Allow guests to grab and go and enjoy each other with these items. It is a fun and frugal way to keep everyone organized and occupied!
When throwing a party, you don’t have to spend big bucks. Follow these tips and see how easy it can be to entertain on a budget.
Do you have a tip for Entertaining on a Budget?
Elizabeth Lampman is a coffee-fuelled Mom of 2 girls and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She enjoys travelling, developing easy recipes, crafting, taking on diy projects, travelling and saving money!
Dandi D
Tuesday 10th of May 2016
These are some great tips for me because we really like to entertain in the summer, but I am also very frugal.
kathy downey
Wednesday 4th of May 2016
Thanks these are great money saving tips
Carole Dube
Tuesday 3rd of May 2016
Thank you for the great tip! I find it expensive to entertain! Especially with me not working right now!
KD
Tuesday 3rd of May 2016
Disposable products take a toll -- on the pocketbook and the environment!
Cheryl
Tuesday 3rd of May 2016
Thanks for the tips. I love to entertain but do find it crazy expensive. I like the idea of asking people to bring something kinda like a pot luck :)