Before the Party

Leading up to the party, you’ll want to take care of a few tasks that will make the night go smoothly and be more fun for you and your guests. Will your party be a casual get-together or a fancy affair? What kind of food will you serve? The theme of the night is up to you, but prior planning makes it easier to accomplish imaginative ideas while staying within your budget.

• Ask your friends to your dinner party in style with these economical invitations. Start with plain white or cream-colored 3” x 5” cards. Choose a spool of 1” velvet ribbon in a dark, rich color like red, purple or blue. Cut a piece of ribbon to fit the length of the card and glue down firmly along the opening edge of the card. Write the guests’ name nicely just above the ribbon and carefully write the party details inside the card in a matching color. Feel free to use a different type of ribbon to match your party’s theme.



• If it fits with your plan for the night, ask your guests to dress up to add a little luxury to even the simplest dinner party. No matter if you’re serving pizza or pork loin, getting dressed up will make everyone feel special. If your party is going to be casual, make sure to let your guests know this ahead of time as well.

• Planning your menu ahead will give you time to look for deals on vegetables, cuts of meat and other ingredients instead of buying at the last minute. You’ll end up with better items for less and the food you really want to serve.



• When shopping, also consider how you will be presenting your food and how it will look on the plate. Adding appetizing color can be as simple and inexpensive as buying red potatoes, vibrant carrots or colorful bell peppers.



• As a low-cost added touch, type your menu out in an elegant font listing each course and drink selections. If you’re hosting a more casual party, choose a simple font that fits with a laid-back event. Print a copy for each guest and put one next to each place setting.

Food Presentation

The way you present your food can make all the difference between an everyday meal and a memorable dining experience. Our desire for food is driven by what we see, so a beautifully presented plate or platter will up the elegance and the appetites of your friends and family.

• A simple and budget-friendly way to      present food is to use ingredients      from your dishes as garnish on the      plates. Sprigs of thyme, rosemary,      cilantro or Italian parsley add color      and scent to make your meal more      enticing. You can also add color and      flavor with a complementary garnish      such as wedges or slices of lemon,      lime or orange.    • If you’re serving food from platters,      try presenting a meat entrée      surrounded by colorful vegetables or      instead of tossing a salad, arrange the      vegetables in rows with the brightest      on the outer edge and the greens in                                            the center. • Use stemware to present a decadent-looking, but simple dessert. Layer the ingredients of your choice in a glass—for example, chocolate pudding or mousse, whipped cream and raspberries, strawberries, coconut or chocolate shavings to top it off.

Beautiful Budget Décor

Creating an eye-catching table with interesting place settings and centerpieces is an excellent way to give your dinner party a fun or impressive look without spending a lot of money.

• Tie a bow with simple ribbon or raffia around a knife, fork and spoon (add a soup spoon or salad fork if you will be serving these dishes) for an easy and distinctive look.
• Check out our article on Decorative Napkin Folding for fun folds that will put the finishing touch on your place setting.
• Set a calm and relaxing mood by dimming the lights and lighting candles, scattered tastefully through the center of the table. Have a helper light the candles just as your guests are seated.
• Bring your table together with our article on
  Natural Sculpture Arrangements. This adds an organic and inexpensive centerpiece with a festive seasonal touch. When placing a centerpiece, make sure it’s not blocking your guests from seeing or chatting across the table.

Whether you use just a few of these ideas or every one, creating a memorable evening without spending a lot of money is simple. You’ll feel good about what you have accomplished and your guests will have a great time.

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