With the warm summer weather on the way, you are no doubt beginning to think about throwing some kind of bash to get all of your nearest and dearest together. Perhaps it’s a BBQ that you want to hold? Or a picnic in the park? Maybe you’re hoping to host an elegant afternoon tea?
Whatever ideas you have for this year’s summer get together, the chances are that you’re adamant you’ll be the best hostess there is – aka the hostess with the most-est. Naturally, you want your get together to wow your guests, but the only issue is that money is slightly tight right now.
You want to throw a fabulous event that will be talked about for months, but you don’t want to break the bank doing it. The question is, is this doable? Of course, it is, it’s just a case of knowing how to be savvy about it, that’s all.
Here are some useful tips for planning any kind of get together on a small budget:
Plan Ahead = Save Money
Whatever type of get together you’re throwing, planning is the key to budget-friendly success. This means taking the time to shop around online to find the cheapest deals on items that you need for your event, from bunting and fairy lights to glam up your garden to alcohol from budget liquor stores to make the night more memorable, planning and research is key. The more time you have to shop around, the better, as the more savings you will make. If you know that you want to make cocktails, for example, spend time online browsing all of the cheapest plastic cocktail glasses and kits, until you find the one that offers the best value for money.
Go DIY Food (& be savvy)
When it comes to the food, what you want to do is go DIY wherever possible, such as with the burger buns, bread, and dips, as by going DIY you can make some big savings. This might sound like a lot of work but it doesn’t have to be, it’s actually much easier than you would think to make your own bread, dips and other items. As for the meat that you’re using either for your BBQ, afternoon tea, or picnic, aim to use cheaper (but just as delicious) cuts of meat. Instead of buying ready boned chicken breasts, buy thighs and drumsticks. These are cheaper to buy but actually, have more flavor. If you’re serving fish, look for cheaper fish. Remember, cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean less tasty or lacking in quality; it’s just that different cuts have different values. To breathe new life into basics, such as hot dogs, burgers, or finger sandwiches, find ways to glam them up a little. Stuff hot dog and burger buns with blue cheese, cheddar, or ricotta, add avocado to finger sandwiches or try using different types of bread that offer a more unique taste. The more creative you can be, the better.
A Little Help From Your Friends
One of the best ways to keep costs low is to ask everyone to bring a little something. This could simply be a bottle of fizz, or it could be a salad of some sort – perhaps one they’re famous for? Or, how about a dessert?
See, it is possible to be a fantastic hostess and it not set you back hundreds, it’s just a case of being smart about it, that’s all.
Photo credit: Pixabay
