“When it comes to food at birthday parties, it’s my experience that children are very happy with whatever is served and usually eat it all, starting with the fruit plate! We have to let go of our old expectations and trust our children to appreciate what’s healthy, but fun, food”Have you ever come home from a party and your child is bouncing off the walls, sick and irritable? It’s more than likely all the additives and the sugar-high from ‘traditional’ party foods.My conscience just won’t let me serve that stuff up to kids anymore. There are so many yummy, healthy things you can make instead. Sure have a treat or two in there if you like, but balance it out with loads of the good stuff.Okay, so here is my tried and true formula for catering a healthy kid’s party.KISS – Keep it Simple Sweetheart.
Remember my.I serve four different types of food, plus the cake. I put them onto eight smallish serving plates, so it looks impressive. I do a fruit, a vegetable, a savoury and a sweet, plus the cake. Fruit♥ Passionfruit cups. From Rebecca Mugridge’s new book. This is a sneak peek, the book isn’t out yet! Sign up to Bek’s to stay updated. All you do is scoop the flesh out of the passionfruit, make a fruit salad, add the passionfruit back in and serve it with some toothpicks. All compostable!♥ Fruit skewers like these by Hayley at.♥ Apple Snax. Use some lemon juice to stop the apple browning, top with homemade nut butter and some yummy toppings.
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You could even make it a fun party activity and let the kids make their own.♥ Or just do a simple fruit platter like the one pictured up the top. Fruit in season is cheap and delicious!2.
Vegetables♥ I am deadly serious. Serve up some cherry tomatoes, baby qukes, baby carrots, snow peas and strips of capsicum with my yummy Serve the dip in half a capsicum for a bit of fun.♥♥ You can try!3. Savoury♥ Serve it cut into squares with half a cherry tomato on top.♥ amazing My kids love these and we have been making them with lots of different vegetables like carrot and broccoli.
Yum.♥ Chicken drumsticks or wings, baked with a sticky organic tamari and honey glaze. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped spring onion.♥.
No, not the ones from a packet! Try some of my homemade, super healthy. Serve with some easy home-made.♥ Salad wraps.
Choose a good quality wrap like Sorj or Mountain bread, add some boiled egg, organic chicken or organic ham, loads of salad, roll up and slice into small rounds. They looks so pretty.♥ Popcorn.
Buy the variety and pop it yourself in a popcorn machine or in a pan with a little coconut oil. Top with a or some. Do not buy the microwave popcorn – it’s.♥ Sushi and rice paper rolls. You can buy these if you choose carefully!♥ Kids love meatballs!
Try my or make some chicken or beef ones with loads of vegetables. Bake in the oven to make it quicker.♥ Cyndi O’Meara’s healthy, vegetarian sausage rolls have pretty much gained legend status. The kids will never know they are healthy.
If you haven’t tried them, you must! Get theRepeat after me. Just say no to the cheerio! Sweet♥♥♥♥♥♥ Thermomix Sorbet. If you are lucky enough to have, fresh fruit sorbet is pretty darn impressive. CakeWe talked cake the other day.
Check out my six healthy birthday cake recipes.♥ If you have children with any allergy issues, check out this from Happy Tummies to mark your goodies with.♥ Too busy too cook? Add in a few healthy packet snacks. Check out to find the best.♥ You can easily make many of these ideas ahead of time and freeze.Okay, who’s still with me? Let’s talk drinks.♥ Water. Get a huge container of water and ice and.♥ from Jo at Quirky Cooking. Super healthy and easy to make.
Doesn’t it look the bomb!♥ Make freshly squeezed juice, smoothies or milkshakes. Set up your juicer/blender/thermomix on a table and you can make them to order like a juice bar!♥ Alisha from has little kids and she uses plain Cocobella coconut water in poppers at her parties. She also told me to google this crazy idea.♥ Make a watermelon your drink dispenser!
See how to do it at. Fill it with a and just watch the kids go nuts for it!I could go on, but I won’t!
I hope this has given you some things to think about and try for your next kid’s party.I will leave you with some awesome blog posts about healthy parties from and.As always, I would so love to hear your ideas. Add a link or let me know your fabulous tips for healthy party food!Sharing is caring! I just hosted a raw food and whole food party for my two year old and we had lots of yummy things on the menu. All were dairy, processed sugar and wheat free.
Watermelon spritzer, peaches filled with fresh coconut cream, freshly squeezed fruit ice blocks, inca berry and chocolate balls, salted caramel dip with green apples, blueberry jelly in oranges (made from agar agar), and vanilla and raspberry raw cheesecake which the kids loved! I’m in the process of writing an e-book relating to this topic. Hi, love this. As a mum who does home made birthday parties, in a healthy way, love it.Was just curious because it has thrown me for a six. I partially saw a TV show with Jo Frost, aka super mum, arguing that parents were putting their childrens hyper party behaviour down to sugar (i will also add the word crap) from party food and not just from excitment.They did some test (i didn’t sit and watch just saw bits and peices) had one group eat crap the other group eat fruit etc, then got parents to judge “sugar highs”. Naturally, the fruit parents all said their children were high and then (this bit I did watch cause I was gobsmacked) they concluded the behaviour from both groups was just excitment, sugar did nothing to them, and was ok to have.
Parents needed to calm down about it all.I’m still reeling and can’t believe it was said. Did you see it? I think the show is called extreme parenting. Just curious as i am still annoyed about it. The message it was sending.
I did a dinosaur party and all the catering (naturopath/chef) a couple of years ago. I made a mudcake volcano with orange icing for lava; “meateors” meatballs, crocodilian biscuits (gingerbread), “swamp juice” green lemonade with bicarb, dinosaur biscuits I can’t remember what else; I think some sort of dip and vegies – all food was labelled with dinosaur themes and that was the bomb – all the parents got really excited about the food labelling and that got the kids eating because the kids were all laughing and shouting about the meateors or whatever.I promised DS a pokemon party but I think it will be just a pool party but I love these ideas and will try them for this party.
Other ideas are:– Banana ice cream – make it by putting frozen sliced banana into the food processor. It takes a while, but works. You can add berries, peanut butter, cocoa or if you want to allow a little sugar some chocolate chips (I know it goes against your theme, but it doesn’t need many and is a tasty combo and the kids love it if you call it monkey poo ice cream).– Corn fritters –, you can add grated zucchini or kumera. Use a non stick pan and very little oil is needed for cooking.– Grape caterpillars – green grapes on a skewer and a couple of dots of icing for eyes.– Sandwich sushi or shapes – take their favorite sandwich and cut in shapes like stars or butterflies, or roll them up like sushi.I have been on a research mission this week for my son’s party, and your list was by far the best.
Ready to feed an army of kids healthily!
I love to entertain. I also love to save money. Therefore, it’s been a bit of a hobby of mine to come up with cheap party food ideas. Feeding lots of people on a budget became a bit of a specialty for me five years ago.My family and I were deep in consumer debt, to the tune of $60k+.
I didn’t want to give up hosting family gatherings and holidays, but I also knew that I had to stick to my budget. So, I got creative and started finding ways to feed big crowds for less. You can for parties and for everyday living if you try.It’s now become second nature for me to choose party foods that taste great but aren’t expensive. And by choosing the right foods and knowing some shopping secrets, you can do the same.
Table of Contents.Brunch IdeasBrunch menus can be cheap if you choose the right foods. Here are some ideas. Egg BakeI got this recipe over twenty years ago from a friend at work, and my entire family still loves when I serve it. Ingredients. 8 slices of bread, cubed. 5 c. Shredded cheddar cheese.
1 16 oz. Tube Jimmy Dean sausage. 2-1/4 c. Milk. 12 large eggs. 1/2 t. Ground sage.
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup w/ 1/2 can milkDirectionsIMPORTANT: You need to start this the night before you need it as it sits in the fridge overnight, unbaked.Grease a 9×13 pan or baking dish. Spread cubed bread into pan. Brown sausage and spread that evenly over cubed bread. Sprinkle cheddar cheese over top of sausage and bread.In a large bowl, beat eggs and milk thoroughly. Pour over cheese/sausage/bread mixture.
Cover with tin foil and refrigerate overnight.In the morning before baking, mix mushroom soup and 1/2 can of milk together thoroughly in small bowl. Spread evenly over egg bake. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 to 1/5 hours or until golden brown. Serve hot.Note: If you’d like, you can add mushroom slices over sausage before you add the cheese. You can also add diced green pepper and/or onion in as you’re browning the sausage.Also, we often change this recipe up. For instance, we’ll use ham instead of sausage, and add spinach, broccoli or other veggies.
Fruit SaladFruit salad is another one of those food items that can be expensive or it can be cheap. To make it inexpensively, you simply need to choose the right ingredients by shopping on sale.Fruit salad works in just about any combination of fruits. We typically use grapes (on sale) as a base.We then add in fruits such as:. Blueberries. Strawberries.
Mandarin oranges. Sliced bananas.
Raspberries. Melons of some sort such as Watermelon, Cantaloupe or HoneydewAgain, we buy the fruit based on what’s on sale so it’s affordable. With fruit salad, you don’t necessarily have to have a large variety of fruit. I served a fruit salad yesterday with only Mandarin orange slices and strawberry slices. It went over great.Just shop around the sales and try to have somewhat contrasting colors to make your table colorful.
Baked GoodsAnother super affordable brunch menu item exists in any variety of baked goods. You can make muffins, cinnamon rolls, corn bread, banana bread and more. Banana BreadBaking homemade is key to keeping costs down. I’ll share my great grandmother’s banana bread recipe here since it’s a long-held family favorite. It’s also cheap as well as super easy to make. Ingredients. 3 overripe bananas.
1 c. Sugar.
2 well-beaten eggs. 2 c.
Flour. 1/2 c. Vegetable oil. 1 t. Baking sodaDirectionsPreheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 8×4 loaf pans.
In large bowl, mash peeled bananas well. Add in eggs, vegetable oil, sugar, and baking soda and mix well. Add in flour and mix thoroughly. Pour half of the batter into each loaf pan.Bake 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Note: add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips for extra flavor if desired. Cool somewhat before removing from pan and before slicing and serving. This recipe can also be used with a muffin pan to make 12 muffins. French ToastFrench Toast is another great, cheap brunch idea. Just mix eggs and milk in a large bowl as if you were making scrambled eggs. Add some ground cinnamon for extra flavor.Coat both sides of each piece of bread with the egg mix.
Fry it on a greased griddle on both sides, like you’d do with pancakes. Once both sides are golden brown, the bread is done.Serve with butter, and syrup or jam. Keep warm on a baking sheet in the oven or use a chafing dish to keep it warm. Lunch or Dinner IdeasLunch or dinner menus for parties can be costlier for you as the host, but they don’t have to be. Here are some great cheap food ideas for lunch and dinner parties.
Pasta BarA pasta bar is one of my favorite things to serve at parties. Here’s what you’ll need:. Two or three varieties of pasta (Trader Joe’s and warehouse club stores like Sam’s sell it for $1 a pound or less). Two or three varieties of sauce – I serve a basic red sauce from a jar, and this. A basic garden salad.
Adult Birthday Party Food Ideas
French bread with butter ($1 a loaf at Walmart).You can serve a lot of people for a little bit of money with the pasta bar option. Baked Potato BarAnother super affordable party meal option is the baked potato bar. Here are some options for serving:.
1 large baking potato for each guest, and a few extras just in case some are extra hungry. Butter and sour cream (hit the warehouse clubs for the best value). Miscellaneous toppings. Some suggestions include shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, bacon crumbles, chopped broccoli pieces, red pepper, ham, parsley, and BBQ sauce.You can also add other items to your toppings list or ask each guest to bring a certain topping. Serve buffet style, with each guest adoring their potato as they please 7. Taco BarTaco bars always go over well and are pretty cost effective at parties.
Ingredient ideas include:. Soft and hard taco shells (we make – it’s super cheap that way). Prepared, seasoned ground beef (buy on sale). Shredded lettuce. Shredded cheese. Diced tomato.
Salsa and sour cream.Some other topping ideas can include chopped cilantro, diced jalapenos or guacamole. Serve buffet style.Now, here are some specific recipes I serve at parties sometimes that are relatively inexpensive and go over well. Sloppy JoesYou can’t beat sloppy joes for a good, cheap party meal. I always buy buns at the warehouse club or at Aldi, and I buy the beef on sale. Here’s the recipe I use.For each pound of ground beef, you’ll want to add:.
1/3 c. Ketchup. 1/4 c. Worcestershire sauce.
1 t. Salt. 1 small onion, finely choppedBrown the beef and onion together.
When fully cooked, add remaining ingredients to pan, mix well and simmer until hot. Keep warm and serve in a crock pot for convenience when serving at a party. Hot Roast Beef SandwichesIf you can get your roast on sale, this is a party food that will get rave reviews every time. I’ve never served it without getting multiple compliments. Ingredients.
5 lbs. Chuck roast.
3 c. Worcestershire sauce. 10 fresh garlic cloves, pressed. 4 beef bouillon cubes (you can skip these and just add more salt and garlic if you’d like). 2 T. Salt. 1 onion, chopped fineDirectionsPut all ingredients into a crock pot and cook on medium for at least twelve hours or overnight on low.
Pull apart with a fork as it gets tender and add more water, salt and garlic if necessary. Serve with chips or any kind of salad.
Italian Pasta CasseroleThis is a recipe that varies a bit from the traditional pasta bar. Basically, you’re spicing up the pasta before you serve it. It’s cheaper and easier to prepare and serve than lasagna, too.The recipe listed here will serve at least six guests. Simply multiply if you’re serving more.
Ingredients. 1 jar of your favorite red sauce – we use Rinaldi. 1 lb.
Of pasta (I use a basic Fusilli or Penne). 1 c. Shredded mozzarella cheese.
1/2 pound chopped, cooked Italian sausage or ground beef. 1/2 onion, chopped fine.
Ground Parmesan cheese for toppingDirectionsPreheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook and drain pasta as directed. Place in greased 13×9 pan. Add all ingredients except Parmesan and mix well. Top with desired amount of Parmesan.Cook until cheese is golden and bubbly. Serve with French bread and/or garden salad. Transfer to a crock pot to keep warm, or use a chafing dish.
Appetizer IdeasIf you’re choosing to serve appetizers at your party, you’ll be glad to know there are lots of frugal choices. Here are some of my favorites. Veggie and Dip BarIf you’re willing to put in a bit of work, you can serve this inexpensively. The key is to buy and chop the veggies yourself instead of buying them pre-chopped. Note: If you have a warehouse club membership, the pre-chopped ones will be super affordable.Arrange a variety of chopped veggies on a platter.
Some ideas include:. Carrots. Celery. Green pepper slices.
Grape or cherry tomatoes. Cucumber slicesServe with dips such as hummus, guacamole and this homemade ranch dip: 12. Homemade Ranch DipI started making this homemade ranch dip when I learned our son was allergic to chemical preservatives and additives. I get lots of compliments on it. 1 – 16 oz. Container sour cream (I use Daisy).
8 oz. Of real mayonnaise. 2 t.
Garlic powder. 1 t. Parsley flakesBlend all ingredients well and place in Tupperware container. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving. Cheese, Cracker and Fruit TrayThis is an appetizer that can be expensive but doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips on how you can serve cheese, crackers and fruit cheaply. Get your crackers at a store known for low prices, such as Aldi.
They have a knockoff brand multi-variety cracker box that tastes terrific. They also have knockoffs of Ritz and other popular cracker brands.
Buy cheese in bulk and slice it yourself. Pre-sliced cheese is very expensive!. Buy accompanying fruit that’s on sale. Check your ads and buy around what’s on sale. Make homemade dips and cheese balls if you’re serving them with the crackers.
You can find many great recipes online.By using these tips, you can serve a beautiful display of cheese, crackers and fruit for cheap. Deviled EggsDeviled eggs are another cheap appetizer that goes over well. You can get 18 eggs for about $2 at this writing, and the accompanying ingredients shouldn’t cost any more than another $1 or so. For $3 or so you can serve 36 deviled egg halves.You can use your favorite recipe for the insides.
Hint: Use real mayonnaise and a spicy brown mustard instead of yellow mustard for an extra kick. Mini QuichesHere’s another great, inexpensive appetizer you can serve if you have a mini muffin pan. We like to serve mini quiches at brunches and dinners alike. We’ll serve them as appetizers also.Hint: make a homemade pie crust for the bottoms instead of using store bought – it’s much cheaper. Ingredients.
6 large eggs. 1 c.
Sliced green onion. 1 c. Bacon crumbles (you can use finely diced ham too). 3/4 c. Shredded cheddar cheese. 1/2 c. Finely diced red pepper (optional).
1 or 2 homemade pie crusts, uncooked. Salt and pepper to tasteDirectionsPreheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease mini muffin pan.
Cut 2 & 1/2-inch size circles from dough (we use an inverted glass to do this). Press circles down into muffin cups.Make scrambled egg mix in a large bowl by mixing eggs and milk. Add in cheese, onion, meat and red pepper. Salt and pepper to taste. Spoon mixture into muffin cups on top of dough.Fill nearly to top, but not quite.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until egg is set and quiches are golden brown. Chips, Pico de Gallo and GuacamoleAnother appetizer that is inexpensive and will get rave reviews from guests is tortilla chips with homemade Pico de Gallo. If you have a little more you can spend, make homemade guacamole dip too.Here are the recipes for each. Pico de GalloThis recipe is delicious and refreshing. People always make comments about how great it is to have that fresh veggie taste with the chips. Ingredients.
6-8 Roma tomatoes, diced. 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped. 1 red onion, diced fine. Salt and pepper to tasteDirectionsSimply mix the ingredients together in a large bowl, cover and chill for 1 to 2 hours before serving.
Note: you can add other ingredients to this recipe too such as corn, black beans and green pepper. This will make it more of a Cowboy Salsa type of a recipe, but it will still taste great! Homemade Guacamole DipHere’s another simple but delicious recipe. We make this when we’re having Mexican food if I can find avocados on sale. Ingredients.
4-6 large, ripe avocados (they should be fairly soft). 1/2 red onion, chopped fine. 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped. 1 t. Garlic powder. 1 t.
Ground cumin. 1 t. Chili powder (you can use Chipotle chili powder for an extra kick).
1 t. Salt.
Juice from 1/2 of a fresh lemonDirectionsRemove the skins and pits from the avocados and place the avocados in a large bowl. Mash thoroughly with a potato masher or fork.Add in remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Chill for one hour or serve immediately. Note: Avocados can be expensive; we usually only make this if I can find them on sale. Dessert IdeasWhat’s a party without dessert? Here are some cost-effective dessert ideas for every party occasion. However, let me start with a tip: It’s almost always cheaper to do homemade when you’re talking dessert.And bonus: it’s the healthier choice as well.
Now, onto some dessert options. Famous Chocolate Chip CookiesOkay, I hesitate to share this recipe as I have a reputation for making the best chocolate chip cookies EVER. Nearly everywhere I bring these cookies, I’ve got someone begging me for the recipe. I’m not sure I want to share this status, but here goes. Ingredients.
2 sticks butter, softened (real butter only – organic if possible). 3/4 c. Brown sugar (I use C&H – it’s got the best flavor). 3/4 c.
White sugar. 5 c. Flour. 2 eggs, beaten. 1/2 t. Pure vanilla extract. 1/2 t.
Pure almond extract. 1 t. Baking soda. 1 t. Milk chocolate chips. Optional: ½ c. Chopped walnutsDirectionsPreheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large bowl, mix all ingredients except flour and chocolate chips, thoroughly. Add flour and blend well. Pour in chocolate chips and blend well again.
Mix in walnuts with chocolate chips if you are using them.Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Hint: I use Pampered Chef’s small scoop for this part and it works perfectly.Bake for 8-9 minutes or until the edges are golden. Let cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Makes roughly 36 cookies.Note: I use organic butter, sugar and flour in all of my baking recipes. Costco sells these items for cheaper than I could buy non-organic at a regular grocery store. CakeCake mixes usually run about $1 or so if you can get them on sale, and they’ll serve at least 12 people. You can buy frosting in a can or find a homemade frosting recipe online. Decorate in a way that fits in with the theme of the party.Note: if you’re serving a large number of people, the warehouse clubs are usually the cheapest for bakery cakes. And they taste great. Order well in advance, especially during the summer season.
Bar BuffetAnother inexpensive option for party desserts is to serve a bar buffet. Bake a variety of different bars and serve on a separate table. Some bar ideas include:. Brownies. Lemon bars. Chocolate chip bars (hint: you can use the cookie recipe above and simply press and bake it in a 9×13 pan).
Rice Krispy bars (add peanut butter and top with melted chocolate chips for an extra flair).You can add your family favorites too for more variety. Or, to save even more, have each attendee bring a pan of their favorite bars. My Favorite Cheap Party Food IdeasThere are several keys to feeding a crowd for cheap. Some involve the types of food you choose to serve, while others involve how you get them. Here are some of my favorite cheap party foods, and ideas for making great party foods for less.
Your Party Determines Your Food ChoicesThe first tip I have for feeding a crowd on the cheap is to know that the type of party you’re having is vital. For instance, if you’re having a or wedding shower, finger foods are perfectly acceptable.However, if you’re having a bachelor party or football party, you’ll need food with more substance. By knowing who your guests are and what the appropriate food choices for them are, you’ll plan a better party.As such, you’ll spend your money on food that fits in with the theme and avoid waste.
Choose a Time of Day that Fits in with Your BudgetChoosing a time of day that fits in with your budget is important too. With some events, such as football games, you can’t choose your time.However, with other events, such as holiday parties or showers, you have more flexibility. Time is important because different times of the day require different types of food.As an example, if you hold a baby shower at noon your guests will expect a full lunch. However, if you hold a shower at 2 it’s perfectly acceptable to serve finger foods.Therefore, if you’re on a super tight budget you can plan your party at a time when people won’t be expecting a full meal. But I’ll also share some ideas here for feeding a full meal on the cheap, so never fear. Plan Your Guest List CarefullyYour guest list is also important to having a frugal food budget when hosting a party.
Be sure your guest list is limited to those you really want to invite. For instance, when you’re planning a wedding you can keep the guest list to first cousins instead of inviting every last known relative.That doesn’t mean you can’t have a crowd; just know that with more people comes a bigger food budget. Be thoughtful about your guest list and your food budget will stay lower.
Choose Foods that Fit the SceneAnother tip for throwing a frugal party is to choose foods that fit the occasion. Example: throwing a football game party for the guys requires hardy foods like meatballs and subs.If you buy dainty tea sandwiches and vegetable salads, you may be throwing away a lot of food. Choose foods that fit the guest list and the party event to avoid food waste as much as possible. More Tips for Throwing a Cheap PartyThere are other things you can do to serve food cheaply at parties as well. Here are some of the tips I use to feed a crowd for less. Buy Your Food on SaleBuying your food on sale is vital. After you’ve planned your menu (I suggest doing this well in advance) start keeping an eye on sales flyers.
Then start stocking up as you find things you’ll need on sale.For instance, I’m throwing a high school graduation party for my oldest daughter this year. I bought paper plates in January when they were on sale at Sam’s Club.
I also started stocking up on soda in March.Whenever I see a sale on something I know I’ll need for the party, I buy it. Remember to keep expiration dates and storage in mind when you do this. You don’t want to serve expired soda at a party or buy only to realize you don’t have storage capacity.Note: if you have a bigger family or entertain a lot, a deep freezer (zero temp) is a must. This will allow you to freeze meats and other items for as long as a year without getting freezer damage.I buy a quarter of grass fed, no-antibiotic, no-hormone beef every year for $4.50 a pound since we have a bigger family.
I can stock up in this capacity only because we have a large freezer that ensures the beef will keep. Being able to buy in such a large quantity saves a ton of money on our grocery bill.You can save too if you keep an eye on the sales and stock up in advance on what you need. Beware of the Beverage BudgetOne of the most expensive parts of a party food budget is beverages.Ways you can lower your beverage budget for parties:.
Don’t serve alcohol; make it a bring your own event. Only serve beer and wine. Buy soda on sale. Serve frugal beverages such as lemonade, punch, coffee and water. Serve soda in 2-liter bottles instead of individual cansI’ve used all of these ideas at parties before and they go over just fine with guests.
Bonus: I save huge money in the process. Know Which Stores Sell CheaperKnowing which stores sell what types of foods for cheaper is another bonus that will help you save cash. I do most of my party food shopping at Aldi, Walmart and Sam’s Club or Costco.However, you need to know which items which stores have the best deals on, and which don’t. Soda is ridiculously expensive at Sam’s Club, so I never buy it there. However, I always get cakes there because they’re delicious and dirt cheap.Conversely, chips are super cheap at Sam’s, and astronomically prices at other grocery stores in our area.
Therefore, I almost always buy chips at Sam’s Club.Knowing where the items you need are sold at the cheapest prices will help you keep your food budget low. Ask for HelpAnother option for keeping your party’s food budget frugal is to ask others to pitch in. Now, I’d be careful in this area and practice good etiquette rules before doing this.As an example, you don’t want to ask random guests to bring food to a wedding. However, if it’s a smaller wedding you could ask parents or close friends to bring a salad. Or you could ask a baker who is a close friend to do the cake at a discounted price.In conclusion, if you’re throwing a party with close friends and family, asking them to bring a dish is perfectly acceptable.
And it will help you cut down on food costs.The key to success here is to use wisdom and check etiquette rules as to what is acceptable. Taking your relationship with loved ones into account is key as well. If your family is super casual, they likely won’t mind helping with food at all. SummaryWith a little ingenuity, it is entirely possible to throw a party without spending a lot of money on food.
Just get creative and combine your favorite menu items with the other tips I’ve mentioned here.The more you practice at throwing a great party with cheap foods, the better you’ll get at it. You’ll eventually be able to rattle inexpensive ideas off the top of your head for foods that don’t feel or taste cheap.So forego the salmon and steak tar tar for some of the more affordable ideas listed above. Then start using all of the cash you’re saving to put toward reaching financial independence.How do you serve food at a party for cheap? Share in the comments below. I’m not a wedding planner, nor am I an expert in that area.
However, I do not think it would be appropriate to ask certain guest to bring things and others not to. If your budget is tight, hors d’oeuvres would be cheaper than a meal for everyone. You could also limit or eliminate alcohol to greatly reduce the cost.Could you have it in a friend’s backyard or another setting that is free or cheap rather than paying for a traditional venue? Also, perhaps a friend could make the cake?
There are lots of ways to reduce the costs of a wedding if you look for them. Good luck with your wedding and your marriage and congratulations!
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