Budget Dinner Party Ideas

October 3, 2007

Handmade Invitations
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    Dinner parties are fun for entertaining friends and family. When you're party planning for a lovely evening with friends, you may feel overwhelmed by the details to work out and expenses that can add up fast. But with a little imagination and these creative and inexpensive party planning ideas, you can have a beautiful dinner on a budget.

Before the Party
Leading up to the party, you’ll want to take care of a few tasks that will make the night go smoothly and be more fun for you and your guests. Will your party be a casual get-together or a fancy affair? What kind of food will you serve? The theme of the night is up to you, but prior party planning makes it easier to accomplish imaginative ideas while staying within your budget.

Handmade Invitations

  • Ask your friends to your dinner party in style with these economical invitations. Start with plain white or cream-colored 3” x 5” cards. Choose a spool of 1” velvet ribbon in a dark, rich color like red, purple or blue. Cut a piece of ribbon to fit the length of the card and glue down firmly along the opening edge of the card. Write the guests’ name nicely just above the ribbon and carefully write the party details inside the card in a matching color. Feel free to use a different type of ribbon to match your party’s theme.
  • If it fits with your plan for the night, ask your guests to dress up to add a little luxury to even the simplest dinner party. No matter if you’re serving pizza or pork loin, getting dressed up will make everyone feel special. If your party is going to be casual, make sure to let your guests know this ahead of time as well.
The Menu
  • Planning your menu ahead will give you time to look for deals on vegetables, cuts of meat and other ingredients instead of buying at the last minute. You’ll end up with better items for less and the food you really want to serve.
  • When shopping, also consider how you will be presenting your food and how it will look on the plate. Adding appetizing color can be as simple and inexpensive as buying red potatoes, vibrant carrots or colorful bell peppers.
  • As a low-cost added touch, type your menu out in an elegant font listing each course and drink selections. If you’re hosting a more casual party, choose a simple font that fits with a laid-back event. Print a copy for each guest and put one next to each place setting.
Food Presentation
The way you present your food can make all the difference between an everyday meal and a memorable dining experience. Our desire for food is driven by what we see, so a beautifully presented plate or platter will up the elegance and the appetites of your friends and family. ubr body cl img ar111

  • A simple and budget-friendly way to present food is to use ingredients from your dishes as garnish on the plates. Sprigs of thyme, rosemary, cilantro or Italian parsley add color and scent to make your meal more enticing. You can also add color and flavor with a complementary garnish such as wedges or slices of lemon,lime or orange.
  • If you’re serving food from platters, try presenting a meat main course surrounded by colorful vegetables or instead of tossing a salad, arrange the vegetables in rows with the brightest on the outer edge and the greens in the center.
  • Use stemware to present a decadent-looking, but simple dessert. Layer the ingredients of your choice in a glass—for example, chocolate pudding or mousse, whipped cream and raspberries, strawberries, coconut or chocolate shavings to top it off.

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