The Budget Chef
KW Publishing
PO Box 4755
West Richland, Wa. 99353
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Party Entertaining on a Small vs. Large Budget
Party Entertaining on a Small vs. Large Budget
by: Patricia Mendez
Copyright 2009
Everyone wants to save time and money when hosting a party. However, you need to be realistic with exactly how much of both time and money you can save simultaneously. For instance, if you have a lot of time for preparation, the most budget-friendly option is to do most of the preparation yourself. If your life is so busy that you have no time for preparation, you can still throw a great party as long as you realize that you will be paying for the convenience of someone else doing the preparation. Look at the different budgets below to see where you can save both time and money for your party.
Small Budget with more time for preparation – Prepare all menu items yourself. Choose easy recipes for dishes that are delicious, yet inexpensive. Don’t buy paper goods, but use the dishware and serving pieces you already have. Or if using your own dishware is out of the question, buy disposable plates from a closeout or discount store. Serve non-alcoholic drinks and/or a bottle of wine, rather than cocktails. Choose your favorite music CD’s or download to your IPOD and play for ambiance. Use unscented candles in candle holders or hurricanes on the table. If you have any pretty flowers or fruit trees in your yard, you can display a flower bouquet or a bowl of any fresh fruit for a beautiful centerpiece.
Medium Budget with some time for preparation - Prepare some of the menu items yourself and fill in with some delicious purchased items. Many times warehouse stores or small favorite restaurants have delicious items for the budget-conscious host. Use some paper items such as napkins, dessert and dinner plates, but use your own glasses and silverware. Purchase a bouquet of flowers and put in a low vase on the table. Offer one “cocktail of the evening” in pitchers or offer beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages.
Big budget with little time for preparation – Purchase all food prepared from a favorite restaurant or caterer and make one special dish yourself, perhaps a dessert or one or two fantastic appetizers. Many times the paper goods are included in the caterer’s price. Purchase floral arrangements for the buffet table and dining table. Hire a DJ, offer two “cocktails of the evening” along with beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages.
Cost is no object budget and no time for preparation – Hire a party planner and let them hire the caterer and take care of all the details including hiring servers to serve at your party. The party planner will take care of all the details including decorations and hiring a bartender for an open bar. He/she will hire a band or performer for live music and customize the party according to your wishes.
You should enjoy yourself when entertaining family and friends, so think about your budget and customize the amount of money you can save versus how much time you can save. Find the right balance for you because no matter how busy you are, entertaining should fit your life.
Patricia is the author of the book, Easy Entertaining for Beginners. The book is an award-winning finalist in the cookbook: general category of the National Best Books 2008 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News.
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