Top 5 Tips – Keeping to a Budget When Entertaining
Jun 29th, 2011 by savvyclub
Dear friends of The SaVVy Club®,
Entertaining guests will make any wallet groan. But there are ways to keep to your budget and please your guests at the same time. As experienced Party Planners, here are our five Top Tips:
1 Plan carefully
Be realistic when deciding on your budget, and once decided, stick to it. Keep the number of guests down – inviting 20 people to a dinner party on a budget of £50 is absurd, but remember: you don’t have to make it an occasion to display your culinary talents. Good, simple food shared in a convivial atmosphere is more than enough – as every Italian knows.
2 Check your resources
First, look in your cupboards and freezer to see what you already have, and if appropriate, incorporate it into your menu. Remember that your friends will simply be grateful to be asked out for the evening – they aren’t going to be overcritical about what they are given to eat.
Second, you could ask some of the guests, close friends or relatives, to help out. Perhaps they could bring along a range of desserts between them – that will certainly simplify your cooking. (Some may even enjoy helping you do the preparation – it’s a great form of female bonding.) Most guests will probably bring a bottle along, and while you shouldn’t depend on that happening, it will to some extent replenish your wine racks.
3 Keep things simple
A themed décor can enliven the atmosphere, but needn’t be expensive. What matters is the care you put into selecting a few tasteful materials.
4 Decide if you want music
Don’t waste money on expensive DJ’s. If you feel you must have music, take charge of it yourself or ask a reliable friend to help out, if they genuinely have a talent for that kind of thing. But whoever does it, make very sure you can retain control the timing and the volume. Your guests are coming for a chat. They won’t want to have to shout themselves hoarse just to exchange a few pleasantries.
5 Make your intentions clear
Let people know it’s going to be a simple, unpretentious evening, with a focus on good company, and the rest will follow.
Happy Entertaining!
The SaVVy Club®
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