Hosting a dinner party doesn’t have to break the bank. If you want to show off your new dinnerware set and make some nice memories with friends, but don’t want to spend a fortune. You’ve come to the right place.

My last dinner party I overspent a little too much, so this time I tasked myself with the goal of creating a nice evening for 3 of my friends on a budget of $70 (I wanted to say $50 but with the price of groceries these days, lets say $70).

A lot of places are going to tell you to start off with picking a theme, I don’t think you necessarily need a theme to invite you friends over to enjoy a meal. If you like to host, all you need is some good food, food wine and good company and you’ll be all set.

When your friends arrived it is nice to offer them a drink to get start while you put the final touches on dinner.

Planning your welcome drink

I always like to have a little welcome drink ready for my guests, whether it be alcoholic or non-alcoholic, guests always appreciate it.

This time I opted for a non alcoholic spritzer! I love the SoCial Lite the cans, they only have 3 grams of sugar per can and were on sale for $6.99! What a steal.

If your guests would like an option that includes alcohol, you can always let them know why are welcome to bring their own. Most people nowadays will bring there own booze (BYOB) but it’s always a good idea as a host to let people know there are limited options.

I also like to do a non-alcoholic drink to start as some of my friends don’t drink at all so it is nice to make them feel included.

Creating Ambiance

Creating a memorable ambiance for your dinner party doesn’t have to break the bank. Focus on simple yet effective elements like dimming the lights and lighting candles to create a cozy atmosphere. 

A single stem flower in a vase can add a touch of elegance without the hefty price tag. Use items you already have at home, such as a vintage tablecloth or a playlist, to set the mood. 

I find small details like using cloth napkins instead of paper can elevate the experience without additional cost. 

By focusing on these subtle touches, you can create a warm and inviting space that your guests will cherish without overspending.

PLANNING YOUR MENU

Probably the most costly part of the night, but also the most fun. You always want to think of what your guests like, do they have any food allergies or intolerance? Once you have narrowed these concerns down it makes it much easy to plan your meal.

Next you need to decide if you are going to do a starter, or a dessert too? Do you want to ask your guests to bring something to keep the cost down?

Personally, I don’t like to invite people over to my house with the expectation that they need to bring a food item. I am inviting you over to relax and enjoy a meal with me, so I do not like to ask them to bring anything. I know this can be different for everyone so go with everywhere you heart desires, its your dinner party.

I like to go the full 9 yards if I am inviting people over, this means appetizers, main course and possibly a dessert. Now comes the hard part, planning it out and shopping accordingly to keep our meal under $70.

Remember this meal doesn’t need to be Michelin Star level, it’s your nearest and dearest you are inviting over. Keep it simple and enjoy the process.

Starter: Small Bruschetta Bites (Crostinis). Always a crowd pleaser and look very fancy if you present them on a wooden cutting board. Cheap enough, a part from the tomatoes (why are they so expensive).

Main Course: I knew my friends love pasta so this was an easy choice for me. A budget friendly option and one of my go-to recipes recently is Gigi Hadid’s Vodka Penne Pasta.

Ok let’s not totally forget about our budget here, right now with welcome drink, starter and main course we are at $51.48. Not bad at all. But in true Laura fashion we need to offer a little sweet treat at the end of a meal.

Dessert: I love a Victorian Sponge Cake. They are so easy to make and if you are already a baker (meaning you probably already have most of the ingredients in your cupboard). The light cake base and cream with raspberry jam gives a gorgeous light but fresh taste. A must try (if you have most of the ingredients on hand).

Coming to a total of $17.44 for the dessert, once we add that in the final total comes to $68.92. Under our budget of $70! Whoo hoo!

I will also add, if you aren’t a frequent baker and don’t have many of the ingredients on hand like I did, you can always either buy a cheap cake at the shop or ask a guest to bring one. I am just being fancy.

Budgeting Tips

We’ve managed to keep the dinner party under our budget of $70, which is not always and easy task. When it comes to hosting a dinner party on a budget, the key is to be strategic with your spending. Start by planning your menu around things you already have in your cupboard and you know are easy to make.  

Consider one-pot wonders like stir-fries or stews that reduce cooking time and costs. Another clever approach is to use items from your freezer or maybe some leftovers creatively to minimize waste and save money.

Lastly, don’t forget to shop sales and plan your shopping list accordingly to maximize your budget.

As you plan your next dinner party, I’d love to hear about your experiences and ideas! Whether you have a favourite budget-friendly recipe, a clever decorating tip, or a memorable dinner party story, sharing it in the comments to inspire others to create their own special gatherings.

Your input can help build a community of like-minded hosts who are passionate about creating memorable moments without breaking the bank.