Entertaining On A Budget

The worst part of entertaining is the preparation. Trying to anticipate everyone’s needs can be a lot of work. You can spend countless hours racking your brain to come up with the perfect plan. Every host or hostess wants their presentation to be perfect, but there aren’t enough hours in the day, especially if guests show up unannounced. The instinct is to order food to be delivered from a local restaurant or order a pizza. Both are highly expensive and not very personal.

An option is to run out and purchase prepackaged foods. Food warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club sell prepared food trays. Tray sizes vary so it is easy to choose the one that fits the number of guests you are serving. And they offer a wide variety of selections. Create a buffet with cheese, meat, deli, fruit, chicken, and cracker trays. You can also purchase a variety of appetizers to serve as a meal. This can keep your costs down while offering a little bit of everything for everyone. Because they are usually frozen, they can be conveniently kept in your freezer and taken out when guests arrive. Plus kids love appetizers and adults love variety.

Offering a variety of sodas can be messy – and expensive. Instead, fix a citrus punch bowl.

You will need: two or three 2-liter bottles of lemon-lime soda, two cans of pineapple juice, a bag of ice cubes, and a tub of lime sherbet.

The taste is light enough for everyone. If you don’t want to use regular ice cubes, fill your ice trays with some of the punch. As the punch warms up, add punch-flavored ice cubes to cool it down without watering it down. If you really want to offer soda, get the 2-liter bottles. This way people can serve themselves and you won’t be picking up half empty cans for hours after the party. Plus you can limit the amount of sugary soda that kids get.

A wise hostess keeps a list of things to do around town that are free or cost very little. Keep a folder of newspaper articles and brochure from places in your area. Several websites offer lists of things to do in your area. Guests with kids may like zoos or museums. A picnic or cookout in the park gives everyone a chance to eat, socialize, and take advantage of park activities all in one venue. Other options are State Parks, local public attractions such as art fairs, state and county fairs, and nature reserves. All are very affordable, and guests love to visit the local attractions. If you have yard games like bocce ball and croquet, it’s a great opportunity to stay home and socialize while getting a little exercise.

If guests are spending the night, make it as convenient as possible for them and you. Purchase trial size bottles of deodorant, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and travel toothbrushes from the dollar store. Guests may bring these items, but having a basket of these miniatures in their room will help them if they forgot anything. You may also want to include a local newspaper or magazine so they see what your area has to offer. Also magazines often have tear-out cards with trials of perfume or cologne in them. Pull out these cards and place them in the basket. It’s a great way for guests to try a new scent and for you to find a use for these sometime annoying cards.

Entertaining can be painless and fun even for those who don’t particularly like to play host or hostess. Even on short notice, you can whip up a meal, draw up an event calendar, and prepare a room for those unexpected friends and family. Making guests feel comfortable and welcomed is simple as long as you have a basic idea of what to do ahead of time. Take advantage of all your area has to offer. Your guests will appreciate the fact that you gave them a great opportunity to experience local events. And you’ll have fun showing them all there is to see and do in your area.

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