Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
Forethought and planning will help you throw memorable parties, without throwing out your budget. Make a complete plan, right down to the beverages and napkins, and get started preparing this month. Some helpful guidelines:
1. Don't plan too much food. You will save both money and effort this way. People love small tastings of numerous items. Around 7-9 different dishes/items is a good goal. (For this application, something like veggies and dip would be considered one item.) Design your meal with offerings that compliment, and offerings that contrast, with one another. Not only is this a delicious and fun way to dine, you're more apt to have “something for everyone”.
2. Buy ahead. Watch for sales and you'll be ready without overspending the week of the party. Suggestions:
b. Freezable ingredients, such as cheeses, meats and juices
c. Pies, cakes and other desserts that are frozen (if you're not one to bake them yourself)
d. Cooking and baking ingredients, including flour, spices, sugar and oils
e. Bottled beverages
f. Shelf-stable ingredients, such as gelatin and bread crumbs
g. “Special little extras” (that pull your party together), such as table covers, platters, colored toothpicks, even “˜to go' containers to send extra food home with guests
3. If children will be at your party, never underestimate the power-to-please of simple “˜kid' foods. Most children (and even some adults) are much more excited by easy pb & j than fancy cucumber finger sandwiches. So don't overextend your budget and frustrate yourself counting them in amounts for any “fancy food”. Go cheaper (and kid-happier). The point is that they enjoy. And they will.
