How to host a dinner party for $50 (or under!)
Do you love hosting friends and family, but despise the cost that comes along with it? Here are some of my best tips for hosting friends and family, on the cheap and chic!
You can make an incredibly filling meal simply by omitting meat (which is often the most expensive piece of any meal). Ideas for delicious, and incredibly cheap veggie dishes:
Unless they have the etiquette of a troll, most guests will almost always ask how they can help or what they can bring. I always ask guests to contribute a bottle of wine to ease the blow of purchasing *everything* necessary for the meal.
Nobody loves the chaos of a massive crowd of people. Keep your guest list small, to 6 people or under, which will give you more wiggle room in terms of what you can purchase for your meal!
Mix mascarpone cheese with a few tablespoons of Armagnac, top it with fresh berries, roughly chopped peanuts and chocolate, and a sprinkle of fresh thyme. Simple, chic and incredibly memorable!
Go vegetarian
You can make an incredibly filling meal simply by omitting meat (which is often the most expensive piece of any meal). Ideas for delicious, and incredibly cheap veggie dishes:
- potato pancakes topped with crème fraiche and capers
- vegetarian chilli topped with sour cream, cheddar cheese, avocado, lime and scallions (no one will even notice there's no meat)
- roasted vegetables and tahini drizzle
- falafel wraps with pickled cabbage and garlic sauce
- marinated tofu with yakisoba noodles
- build your own coconut soup bowls with fresh vegetables and sambal
BYOB
Unless they have the etiquette of a troll, most guests will almost always ask how they can help or what they can bring. I always ask guests to contribute a bottle of wine to ease the blow of purchasing *everything* necessary for the meal.
Keep it small
Nobody loves the chaos of a massive crowd of people. Keep your guest list small, to 6 people or under, which will give you more wiggle room in terms of what you can purchase for your meal!
Make an easy, but impactful dessert.
Mix mascarpone cheese with a few tablespoons of Armagnac, top it with fresh berries, roughly chopped peanuts and chocolate, and a sprinkle of fresh thyme. Simple, chic and incredibly memorable!
Last, but definitely not least: SET THE MOOD!
I have gone to so many events, dinner parties and gatherings where I was counting the minutes until I could leave because the ambience was flat, and lifeless. People won't remember what you said, but they'll always remember how you made them feel. Forego purchasing expensive flowers, and instead, clip some branches, wild flowers and long grasses from your yard or local forest, and scatter them throughout your house in vases and bowls. Light candles - the more the better (get them at the dollar store for under a buck a pop!). Curate a sexy, relaxing and elegant playlist - maybe it's an unexpected mix of hip hop and jazz - it'll set a sexy vibe and be a great conversation starter. Make people feel comfortable, at ease and create an ambience that won't make them want to leave. It's all the little things that add up to a memorable experience!
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