Who Says You Cannot Party If You Are On A Budget?

Usually when you decide to go a budget, you tend to slash your expenditures related to entertainment. Along with dining out, going on a visit to theaters and splurging on your favorite junk food, partying is one of the first things that are thrown out of the list made for budgeted expenditure. The latest economical epidemic has made partying an unaffordable luxury for most of us and many families are settling down for low- budgeted modest gathering with friends. If you are one of them, here’s some good news for you. You really don’t have to compromise with your enjoyment by slashing down on most of the entertaining features of your party. A party will not be worth calling a party if you do that! So just enjoy …but know how to by not burning a hole in your pocket.

Even celebrity party planners like Joanne Weir( author: Weir Cooking in the City: More than 125 Recipes and Inspiring Ideas for Relaxed Entertaining ) and Bibby Gignilliat( owner Gourmet Gatherings), who are known for their super duper high end bashes, are not immune to the monetary pinch caused by the recent recession. They have designed new ways of partying which don’t burn a hole in your pocket. So take these tips from them and get going for the coming Christmas and New Year. If they work, you can use them for the coming Valentine’s Day too.

You Surely Can Do Without Champagne Can’t You?

Is it mandatory for you to include Champagne in your party menu? I don’t think so. According to Weir, prosecco, the Italian Wine, beats Champagne in flavor and comes at a cheaper price too. Black Box wine is another good alternative for replacing the very expensive Champagne. Go ahead and try these new drinks and your guests’ll simply love them.

Buy Seasonal and Buy In Bulk

Plan your party menu with seasonal foods. I wanted to impress my guests with tomato pilaf this Christmas, but the ones shipping from Mexico are real costly. I dropped the option. The item mesmerizes taste buds for sure! But what’s the point when the single dish is going to cost me a fortune? I went for dishes with persimmons, apples and pears. They surely beat tomatoes in taste and being seasonal are pretty affordable too.

Buying things in bulk will save you a lot of money. You can buy some items with a long shelf life, such as cheese, in bulk and use them throughout the holiday season.

Opt For Simple Dishes

Don’t go for all those gourmet dishes requiring a number of ingredients which are expensive as well as not easily available. Your guests will appreciate you even if you serve them a simple, but a perfectly made dish. Good food is not about using a lot of ingredients, but making the best of everyday ingredients available.

Presentation Is Most Important

You may be serving a simple item, but present it well and your guests are sure going to fall for it. Invent your own mouthwatering desserts with seasonal fruits and cookies and present them attractively.