entertaining on a budget – 21 top tips

There’s no doubt about it, home entertaining is back, in a BIG way.  We have all heard about the current state of the economy and what the experts are forecasting. The reality is that eating out is a luxury that many people just won’t be able to afford to do on a regular basis. 

Despite the lack of spending money, people will still want to get together with their friends and family, and home entertaining makes this possible for everyone. Let’s face it, we still have to eat! Entertaining does not have to be expensive and extravagant – it’s about sharing a meal and good conversation with people that you care about.

One of the many wonderful reasons to entertain at home is that you can control the cost of the meal. So here are 21 tips and ideas to keep your budget in check whilst still being the host/ess with the most:

1. Plan early, decide on a budget and stick to it. If you do your homework, $10-$12 per head will allow you to serve three courses, and if you skip entrée it will cost you even less.
2. Read the grocery store flyers and keep an eye on supermarket specials. Purchase what you need prior to the date of your event. Meats can be frozen, most cheeses have a shelf life of at least 4 weeks and pantry items keep for even longer periods.
3. Make a shopping list when you buy your groceries and stick to it! It’s very easy to throw a few extras in the supermarket trolley that you don’t really need.
4. Home Brands are fine for staples such as flour, sugar, tinned tomatoes, etc.
5. Make as much of the food as possible from scratch. Buying items such as pre-baked pie shells may save you time, but they will cost you significantly more.
6. Being organised and cooking ahead of time will help to avoid the temptation of purchasing expensive last-minute convenience foods.
7. Go seasonal. There are so many good reasons for using in-season produce – and saving money is one of them. Sign up to the free Entertaining Made Easy monthly newsletter to find out what’s in season each month.
8. If guests ask if they can bring something, say “yes”!  A plate of hors d’oeuvres, fresh bread, dessert….
9. Avoid expensive, extravagant foods like lobster, caviar, truffles and imported French cheeses.
10. Serve fillers such as rice, pasta, potatoes and bread with your entrée or main meal.
11. Budget-friendly chicken is always popular and an excellent choice for a main meal. It can be prepared in so many ways: curried, roasted, braised….
12. If you prefer to serve meat for a main course, the cheaper cuts such as chuck, blade and skirt are perfect for curries, stews and braises.
13. Instead of serving expensive bottled water, a pretty jug of iced water and a few lemon or lime slices will suffice just as well.
14. Alcohol can often be the most expensive component of entertaining, so ask each guest (or couple) to bring a bottle. If you plan to serve specific wines with each course, be precise about the type of wine they should bring.
15. Borrow equipment that you don’t have. If you’re short of glassware, cutlery, crockery, tableware or equipment, ask a friend or neighbour to lend you what you need.
16. Presentation is everything. Attractive garnishes and serving ware can make even the most ordinary meal look appetising. 
17. Instead of buying cookbooks, refer to the many websites that provide recipes for free. Refer to our webpage for our recommendations.
18. Decorate with candles, inexpensive flowers or decorations from a $2 shop.
19. Host a Potluck Party – ask each guest to bring a dish. If you are doing a sit-down dinner, you could provide the main meal, and ask your guests to bring appetisers, a salad, dessert, etc. If you’re doing a buffet, having a theme such as Asian or Italian will ensure that the different dishes will complement each other.
20. Take a trip back to the 70’s and organise a progressive dinner party. This works really well with neighbours, as you can walk from house to house. 
21. If you have a group of friends that you regularly dine with, why not organise a dinner party club and take it in turns to host the dinner.

Chicken Stroganoff is an inexpensive meal to serve your guests
(click on photo to view larger image)