How to host a dinner party on a budget
If you're on a bit of a tight budget, consider these tips when hosting a dinner party.
We’ve all experienced a situation where it’s the end of the month and now your friends want to arrange a get-together, but now it’s your turn to host.
Hosting a dinner party for a small group of friends won’t break the bank if you prepare with caution and plan well.
Avoid buying anything new or splashing on fancy centre pieces. Follow these steps on how to host a dinner party with what you already have.
1. The entertainment
Usually when there’s alcohol involved, people tend not to focus on the snacks that much. Start off by inviting your friends for a dinner party, but ask them to each bring a board game. Board games are fun, but they also take preference to eating.
This way, you’ll distract your friends from noticing you didn’t in fact prepare an eight-course meal.
2. The food
When hosting a dinner party on a budget, think about things you can prepare that won’t be too costly while providing for a bigger group.
Consider pasta dinners like lasagne, macaroni and cheese, oven baked chicken and rice with veggies, bobotie, and perhaps even fondue.
Here is an easy-to-make recipe with just a few ingredients that would provide for a bigger group.
Creamy avocado pasta
Ingredients:
– A packet of spaghetti or linguine
– 2 large avocados
– 250ml cream cheese
– 1/3 cup chopped onions
– 1 tablespoon lime juice
– 2 teaspoons garlic
– 1 teaspoon salt
– ½ teaspoon pepper
– 3 tomatoes
– 1 jalapeno
– Parmesan cheese to taste
Method:
Cook the pasta.
While the pasta is cooking, peel and pit the avocado and throw it in the blender. Add the cream cheese, onion, lime, garlic, salt and pepper. Blend until it’s nice and smooth. Then set it aside.
Dice the tomatoes and jalapeno.
Drain the pasta and add a little bit of olive oil to keep the noodles from sticking together.
Place the pasta on a dish and top with the creamy avocado sauce, tomatoes and jalapenos (if desired).
Top with Parmesan cheese.
For dessert consider some ice cream with a nice homemade chocolate sauce and sprinkles.
3. Drinks
Many people prefer asking their guests to bring their own drinks due to people having so many different choices and preferences about what they like to drink.
But if you would like to serve an alcoholic beverage when people arrive, consider making some fruit punch, with or without alcohol.
– Orange fall party punch
Ingredients:
– 2-liter Sprite, chilled
– 2-liter Fanta Orange soda, chilled
– 6 to 8 scoops orange sorbet
– Vodka
Method:
Combine Sprite and Fanta Orange in large punch bowl, and stir. Add scoops of sorbet just before serving for some fun frothy goodness.
Add vodka to taste.
Transfer to large punch bowl with glasses, or serve out of jars.
There you have it. With some affordable tips on food, drinks and even entertainment, you’re sure to have a lovely dinner party with friends.
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 072 435 7717.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram.
- We have exciting news! We’re offering a free alert to help you always be in the loop. Send an email with the word ‘Subscribe’ to breakingnews@rekord.co.za to receive your free daily breaking news update.
