A decorated table for a fancy dinner at home.

Under a tight budget, people believe that they can’t go out and have fun.  Maybe the “going out” part might be impossible, but really, how much fun is “going out”? You can’t get exactly what you want, when you want it. You often have to wait in line, wait for someone to bring your food, and then wait for them to bring the check.  The food is rarely worth all the effort. The important part of going out is the company, so why not bring the company in?  Have a dinner party!

1.       Don’t be afraid to make “poor food.”  Soups, beans, stews and pastas are all delicious and budget friendly.  Most people do enjoy that kind of home cooking.  For guests, I made a ham and bean soup with fried hoe cakes and homemade peach jam.

2.       Be creative with meals. Fried eggs, scrapple, and biscuits make a lovely breakfast for dinner. Bake pizza crusts ahead of time and have the guests help with topping them.  Better yet, make each person a small crust of their own. 

3.       Ask the guests to contribute something. Majority of folks ask if they can bring something.  We’ve been conditioned to instantly say “no, of course not!”  Instead, ask them what they might like to bring that would complement your meal or what their specialty is. When people ask, they do want to bring something, they just need some direction. This weekend, I told my friend to bring vegetables to dinner.

4.       Have fun with table decorations. I’m not suggesting that you go out and buy something, but it is fun to decorate the table with something as simple as a table cloth or a vase of flowers from the garden.  Decorations can make the dinner feel special.

5.       Choose “theme” meals.  I’ve been known to make Chinese, Indian or Thai themed meals. Now, are they as good as “authentic” meals? Probably not. However, they are tasty all the same! There are about a gajillion different recipes available online. (yes, I’m aware that’s not an actual number, but I’m using hyperbole here)

6.       Your slow cooker is your friend. No, seriously, it is! There is no rule that says you have to make a labor intensive meal to impress the tar out of your friends.  Make the day less stressful on you and use a tasty slow cooker recipe. If you feel funny about serving straight from the cooker, you can put the food in a dish or bowl for the table.

7.       Choose one part of the meal to emphasize. By making one part of the meal the focal point, the rest of the meal can be fairly simple.  For instance, bake your own bread for the pasta, but don’t worry about making a complicated side dish. The meal will seem elegant and all parts will be able to stand together without competition.

We often have people over for dinner; as of late, it has been three times or more a week.  These tips are things that I do, sometimes, though the theme meals not as regularly. The meal is mostly about sharing fellowship with people you care about, not about the food.   The important thing for you to remember is that your friends are just that because they like you, not because they are after your cooking. 

Does anyone else have some suggestions for dinner parties? Favorite recipes? Tips?