Entertaining Under $10
With the fall and winter holidays just around the corner, I thought I would share some of my top tips for hosting without breaking the bank. Enjoying food, drinks, and company with friends does not need to cost a fortune.
Do not be afraid to use shortcuts
I use shortcuts all the time when I am entertaining my friends and family. There is a misconception that everything we bring to the table should be from scratch, but that just is not the case. Oftentimes, things that come from a box or can just taste better. Some of my favorite shortcuts are boxed brownie mix (I can’t make it any better than it comes in a box), doctored cake mix (google is your friend here), and using pre-made ingredients like popped popcorn for recipes (mine is linked below).
The dollar store is your friend
Decorating for an event doesn’t need to be extravagant. Creating small, yet impactful vignettes can give the illusion of large scale decor. I like going with a campy, fun theme for effect. Recently, I threw my best friend a birthday party with a princess theme. It was fun throwing an adult birthday party fit for a kid, and made the night all the more special. Also, throwing a party using dollar store decorations means that you won’t be stressed about ruining your nice tablecloths and champagne glasses.
Ask for help
Lastly, I cannot recommend asking for help enough. So many times do I see my friends trying to do it all themselves, and consequently, not be able to enjoy the party with their guests. Even if it is the most casual of events with just a couple good friends, if they’re really good friends after all, they’ll be more than willing to help you. Ask them to bring simple things like cutlery, order out the dessert, or just to come early for setup. They know you can do it all, but you don’t have to.
