Dinner Party: Here’s How To Save Money!

The best tips to cut costs! Learn how to entertain on a budget. Tons of “cheap” & affordable dinner party ideas!

Here’s how to save money! The best tips to cut on cost! Learn how to entertain on a budget. Tons of “cheap” & affordable dinner party ideas!…

Hmmm… Really? Is it that easy to throw a dinner party at a low cost?

The answer is YES!! 😊 There are so many possibilities!

In this post, I will share my 65 best tips to cut costs without cutting quality. Your guests won’t even notice how little you paid!

Now, ready to learn all about low-cost dinner parties?

Dinner Party: Here’s How To Save Money!… General Tips

Like I said earlier, there are many ways to save on costs!

And the best, best way to save on costs is to share them! Great idea, isn’t it? 😉

• You can ask your friends to bring a dish; one could bring dessert while another could take care of the entree.
• Your friends could also bring wine.
• Or, one of my favorites, you could turn your dinner party into a potluck! This is probably the best way to cut costs, and it will save you a lot of time too! Curious to see how I plan and organize an easy potluck?
• Choose affordable wine. There are a lot of choices out there; mid-range should be more than ok.
• Serve water at all times… you will save on alcohol and wine.
• Vegetarian dishes are cheaper than meat.
• Choosing a theme for your dinner party could also help you save money. Italian dinner, Mexican Fiesta…
• Mix or add beans to your dishes.
• Use seasonal products.
• Try to buy expensive dry food when on special at the grocery store. It’s always good to have them on hand when it’s time to throw a dinner party.
• Take the time to garnish your plates. A well-garnished plate is always more appealing.
• And of course, Homemade Desserts will make you save a lot! 😉

My best tip of all:

Make it homemade! This is by far THE best way to save on costs!

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I know there is a lot of info here! Make sure you save it so you can refer to it later 😉

Dinner Party: Here’s How To Save Money!… Before Dinner

Now, let’s talk about a few things you can do before dinner time…

Apero time is usually how you will set the mood for your dinner. But we all know how this part of the dinner can quickly increase the bill! So, let me share a few tips on how to save money here.

• Serve a big punch bowl instead of a large selection of beers and drinks.
• Choose to serve one cocktail instead of a wide variety.
• But if your prefer to let your friends choose… no needs to carry every alcohol that is available on the market! A few bottles of wine, beers and one or two popular spirits should do.
• Serve bread-based appetizers. Count 6 to 7 pieces per person. Have a look at these 10 Easy Party Appetizer Recipes; you will find inspiration there for sure!

Dinner Party: Here’s How To Save Money!… How To Serve Your Meal

Of course, the way you serve your meal can also make you save money…

• Place the dishes in the center of the table and let everyone help themselves.
• Slice or cut the meat and place the individual portions on a large plate with the side dishes around.
• Use smaller plates and glasses.
• If you prefer to serve each plate, serve small portions but garnish your plates. Your friends can ask for a second plate if they are still hungry… but they usually don’t!

Dinner Party: Here’s How To Save Money!… What To Serve

That is the question! There are a lot of affordable recipes and dishes to choose from. Here are some tips for choosing the best options.

• Of course, you have to serve a well-balanced menu.
• Get inspired by the promo and rebates at the grocery store.
• Shop in your freezer and pantry first to use something you already have on hand as the base of your dinner.
• Make pasta, rice, or noodles the base of your main course dish.

If you want to keep track of all these dinner parties you will throw, you need this Journal! 😉

 

Dinner Party: Here’s How To Save Money!… Starters and Entrees

As I mentioned earlier, serving bread-based appetizers will prevent your guests from starving and throwing themselves at your dinner!

• Serve two entrees so you can reduce the size of the portions for the main course plate.
• Potages are very low cost and great to fill up your guests.
• Add potato, rice, or white beans to your potages to make them a bit more nourishing. After a few seconds in the blender, no one will notice!
• Salads also make fabulous entrees at a great cost! Add a lovely vinaigrette, olives, nuts, or a bit of cheese to pimp them up a little.

Dinner Party: Here’s How To Save Money!… Main Course

Usually one of the most costly parts of your dinner party! But, good news! 😉 We can save here too!! Because meat, fish, and seafood are more expensive, the trick here is to serve less meat and more of the rest…

No doubts! Pasta is by far the best way to offer a fabulous meal at a great cost. And everybody loves pasta!

There are so many recipes to choose from! One of my favorites is this Baked Pasta recipe by Giada… I just love all her recipes!!

• You can choose between a lovely creamy sauce, pesto sauce, or tomato sauce. Really up to you!
• Top them with a small portion of meat, seafood, or fish… a lot of pasta and just a little meat will help you save.

Some other great low-cost main course ideas:

• Skewers are a great way to save money. Serve them on a bed of rice or couscous. Remember the rule? A bit of meat, a lot of the rest…
• Simmered dishes are an excellent option, again, small meat cubes and a lot of potato and veggies!
• Braising more economical pieces of meat will also save you a lot of money.
• Mix different kinds of meat, such as sausage and chicken, pork and chicken, shrimp and chicken, or beef and sausages; the combinations are endless!
• Stuffed squash or bell peppers are another way to serve less meat.
• Meatballs are great too. Quickly turn them into a fancy meal with a savory sauce on a bed of rice or noodles.
• Au gratin dishes are also perfect for those low-cost meals. Very nourishing, so your guests will eat a little less! 😉
• You’ll see that serving sauce with meat will make people eat less.

And some other ideas for more casual dinner parties

• A soup party! Two or three different soups and warm bread! Mmm… So yummy!
• Taco bar; let your friends garnish their tacos the way they like.
• Chilli party… well, because it’s chili! 😊
• Baked potato bar… that is such a great way to host a casual dinner party!
• A grilled cheese party! I mean fancy grilled cheese! Let your guest create their own masterpieces!
• A pasta bar with a great tomato sauce and plenty of toppings and garnishings!

Dinner Party: Here’s How To Save Money!… Side Dishes

Side dishes are definitely the most important part of your low-cost fancy dinner! Have a look:

• Choose starchy side dishes, such as; noodles, pasta, quinoa, couscous, or rice. And be generous!!
• Always serve more side dishes than meat.
• Try polenta for a fantastic Italian alternative to mashed potatoes!
• Vegetable purées are the best! Enhance them with garlic or a bit of parmesan cheese… and boost them with a bit of white bean or rice…
• Potatoes! I mean, any kind! Look at these Party Potatoes! They are simply amazing…and are the perfect side dish!

Dinner Party: Here’s How To Save Money!… What More Do You Need On Your Table

Small details make a difference too! Details like:

 

• Always have bread, rolls, or scone on the table; easy to access.
• Water at ALL times is a must! You will save so much on wine!
• Perrier or San Pelligrino water is also a good idea here.

Dinner Party: Here’s How To Save Money!… There Are Other Options

Have you ever thought about other hosting options? Such as:

• Brunches would help you save a lot of money, and it’s a fun way to host family and friends.
• Serve an appetizer board instead of a formal meal. There are so many great ideas on Pinterest! Deli board, cheese and fruits, cold meat…tons and tons of possibilities!
• Happy hour with hot and cold appetizers or any bite-size food.
• A dessert buffet in the afternoon. ( I could have that every week! I love desserts so much!! ha! ha!
• A High Tea in the afternoon is such an elegant way to host… we all feel like princesses!
• Host for lunch instead of dinner. You will save on wine and your meal could be a little lighter.

Dinner Party: Here’s How To Save Money!… Most Affordable Meals

Here are some meal ideas you should choose to save a lot of money!

• Turkey or chicken are very affordable.
• Any chicken casserole
• Sausages can also be a good alternative. Make a cassoulet or any other baked dish.
• Pot pies ( beef or chicken )
• Stuffed crepes
• Stuffed veggies, such as bell peppers or squash
• Stews or braised casseroles

Dinner Party: Here’s How To Save Money!… My Best Tips

I already shared a lot of great tips, but these are my best, best tips!

• Keep things simple!
• Make it homemade!
• Say YES whenever people offer to bring something!
• Don’t go overly crazy with alcohol and wine!
• Focus on side dishes!
• Make sure that your guests have fun; while they chat and laugh…they eat less! 😉
• Set a budget before and stick to it!

Dinner Party: Here’s How To Save Money!… To Conclude

As you can see, there are tons of ways to cut costs and still offer a fabulous dinner to our guests.

Now that you learned all these great tips stop holding back on inviting your friends over for dinner! 

Which of these tricks will you use?

As always, I would love to hear from you! 🖤 Use the box below for any questions or comments. Or even better! Use that comment box to tell me what is YOUR favorite tips to cut costs? I’m such a curious girl; I just can’t wait to find out!

**If you liked this post, let your friends know! 😊 Please share it!

Talk to you soon!

 

 

Related Posts:

-4-Course Dinner On A Budget

-How To Host Kids When You Have None

-10 Easy Appetizer Recipes