How to Make Food Fun Again
Parties! Doesn't matter what type of party – birthdays, park dates, graduations, family reunions, barbecues, church activities, sleepovers, weddings… Where there's a political party, there must exist nutrient! Today we're sharing some of our favorite cheap party food ideas!
Whether the party is big or small, we all know that people gather together where there is good food. No matter the size or style of your party, I'yard sharing all the tips for planning and prepping an astonishing political party for cheap! Not only that, we have an amazing list of party food ideas to help you effigy out exactly what to serve!
*Notation: When you lot click the links in this post, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
If you know me, you know I dearest to party! I am an entertaining NUT. We love having people over, whether it's one couple or forty friends – we love to entertain. A LOT. Unfortunately, if you're not careful, feeding a crowd tin can be expensive! Don't worry, my friend, I've got some tips to help you lot stay on top of your party budget!
FEEDING A Oversupply ON THE CHEAP
You ready to get started? Here are helpful tips to go along your wallet in check when feeding all the people:
- Programme Your Menu – Check out this section to learn about all the factors you should consider earlier planning your carte du jour for your upcoming party.
- Cheap Party Food Ideas – I'm including a huge list of party nutrient ideas that yous can employ as a resources.
- Store for your Political party – These tips for shopping will assistance you stay on budget.
- Political party Accessories and Must-Haves – Bank check out what I employ regularly when I host and entertain the masses.
Pssst…. don't want to read the whole post? Just click on the section you're curious about higher up and we'll take you there!
*Don't forget to check out my Studio v segment for details about feeding a crowd in the summertime!
Here are some things to await at when planning your carte du jour:
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE Attention?
If you lot're hosting a graduation party at your house and plan to invite all your family and friends… I wouldn't recommend serving steak. That would become an extremely expensive political party! However, if you are hosting a dinner party with ii of your best couple friends then sure, steak is a piddling more reasonable. Food Network has a corking barbecue party calculator for figuring out how much to make per person.
Pro Tip: Always ask for an RSVP by a sure engagement so you lot tin get an accurate number. Doing it via text, Facebook, or email will get y'all the most results. People detest having to telephone call!
WHAT TIME IS YOUR Party?
Time of solar day is a HUGE determining factor for what kind of party food you lot should plan to serve. There is null worse than going to a shower at 12:30 and merely getting a few finger desserts to consume. Then, here'due south a chart to assistance determine what you lot should serve:
If your political party goes from nine:30-11am, that would mostly autumn under the "calorie-free snacks" rule. A later party from 6pm-8pm, by and large falls under the "full dinner" rule. If your party is from 11:30am – 1pm, that mostly falls under "full lunch" rule. Meet how that works?
Another thing to keep in heed with time of 24-hour interval is that people will swallow and drink more at night than during the solar day, so plan accordingly.
VARIETY… MORE = LESS
Accept a dessert party, for example, if yous have more variety of desserts, people will swallow less of each and will be satisfied with smaller bites. If you take a dessert party with three cakes and nothing else, you should cut big slices and expect them to be wiped out. But if you have smaller cakes, cookies, pastries, cake bites, credibility bites, and other pocket-sized things, you tin can serve less of each and make much smaller portions because there is more multifariousness.
WHAT IS YOUR PARTY BUDGET?
With anything in life, setting a budget is primal. Decide early what y'all are willing to spend and base your menu around information technology. Believe it or not, it's quite easy to do a party for cheap or fifty-fifty free. Potluck, BYOM BBQ, dessert party, or fifty-fifty a pasta political party all can be done for merely a few dollars.
Age OF ATTENDEES AND SEATING SITUATION
If there are going to exist lots of kids at your party, avert dark-colored punch, soups, and meals that could cause a mini disaster in your house. When people will accept a table to sit at, soups and taco salads are fine to serve. If people volition mostly be standing and mingling, finger foods are best. When it's something similar a family reunion, consider a menu that has something for anybody, something that everyone from trivial kids to seniors would enjoy.
WHAT'S THE OCCASION?
For a bachelor party, I probably wouldn't do a salad bar… Maybe stick more than to a hearty BBQ. Having a baby shower? I'd avoid chicken wings and focus on a lighter card. Just keep your attendees in mind so the food is fitting!
Fourth dimension OF YEAR
Broiled spud confined, soup bars, and pasta confined are perfect for wintertime months. Salad bars and BBQ'southward are perfect for spring and summer. Potlucks are great all yr. Just consider what's in season, and what time of twelvemonth information technology is.
Inexpensive PARTY FOOD IDEAS
All of that being said, here are some examples of neat menus that I use to feed a crowd on the cheap:
DINNER Political party Nutrient IDEAS
A lot of these ideas are archetype! These are foods that people honey, and the best part is that they tin be cheap if you plan right! Some other bonus – a lot of them will too work for lunch time.
- Baked Murphy Bar– Baked potato bars are a wonderful political party food idea! Potatoes are cheap and easy to fix in advance. Just bake your potatoes straight in the crock pot and you can keep them warm and serve them straight from the same pot. Have a diversity of toppings to choose from. Delicious Made Easy has some swell irish potato bar ideas!
- BBQ – This is a favorite for summer months. You lot provide burgers, dogs, or other shredded meat of choice, plus buns and condiments. Have your guests bring a side, drink, or dessert to share.
- BYOMeat BBQ– Yous provide the grill, sides, buns, condiments and drinks. Everyone else brings their own meat and even a side to share. You offer to melt everyone's meat or let them practice it themselves to their liking!
- Hawaiian Haystacks– These are so easy and delicious, plus easily adaptable for people with allergies. Provide everything yous need to create a Hawaiian haystack and ask your guests to bring a side, dessert, or even a haystack topping. Plan in advance to avoid too many duplicates. Clean Eats and Treats has even more Hawaiian haystack ideas, so be sure to check those out!
- Taco Bar – Who doesn't dearest a taco? You provide everything you would need to build a taco. Ask guests to bring a side or dessert to share.
- Potluck – The most inexpensive party thought is a potluck, only information technology does require a bit more planning. Provide the drinks and a dish or 2. Have everyone else contribute a dish, likewise. You can ask for specific dishes – master, side, or dessert.
- Pasta Bar– For a very filling dinner party, pasta is an splendid option! Provide a few types of pre-cooked pasta, sauces, and toppings. Ask guests to bring breads or light-green salads. Avoid if children are at your party, unless they will be seated at a table. Bank check out this adorable pasta bar from Somewhat Simple.
- Salad Bar– Take everyone bring a salad to share or provide different kinds of greens and take anybody bring a salad topping and build their own salad, like a conventional salad bar. Provide drinks, breads, soup, mini sandwiches, or some other side.
- Soup or Chili Bar– This is great for winter months. Avert if children are at your party or if guests will not be seated at a table. Yous provide the soup and soup toppings. Inquire your guests to bring a side, dessert, or toppings. Plan in accelerate to avoid duplicates. Get even more not bad chili bar ideas and tips from Garnish with Lemon!
BRUNCH Party Nutrient IDEAS
If your party can be turned into a brunch, you're in luck because you tin can mass produce all kinds of brunch foods for cheap. And people dear breakfast foods.
- Make Your Own Parfaits – You'll need a whole lotta yogurt for this one, plus some granola and fresh fruit! That'south information technology! You can fifty-fifty make your own giant batch of granola to save a niggling money. Become fifty-fifty more great ideas from One Brass Flim-flam's yogurt parfait bar!
- Waffle, Crepe or Pancake Bar – This is 1 of my favorite fun group meal ideas. Toppings can include everything from yogurt, ice cream, and chocolate syrup, to peanut butter, Nutella, and chopped nuts.
- Bagel Brunch– This is such a unique idea that bridges breakfast and luncheon perfectly. Check out this amazing bagel brunch from Celebrations at Home blog.
- Breakfast Sandwiches – Brand a bunch of breakfast sandwiches. These are easy to make in an associates line, so grab some helpers! Have guests bring fruit, pastries, or other yummy breakfast or brunch foods to share.
- French Toast Casseroles – Make a casserole or ii and invite guests to bring a French toast casserole to share.
SNACK Party FOOD IDEAS
In that location are so many means to mix upwardly snacks and have a super fun party! The heaven is the limit. Here are just a few ideas to go y'all started thinking.
- Dip Party – Ask anybody to bring a creative dip (this bacon cheeseburger dip from The Cookie Rookie would be a hitting) to share, then you provide all the dipping items. Or you provide the dips and accept your guests bring items to dip! Cheese fondue, anyone?
- Finger Foods – Yum! These are the all-time party foods out there. You don't take to worry then much most utensils, since the goal of finger foods is to contain the mess and eat with your fingers!
- Sliders– Quick, like shooting fish in a barrel, versatile party food that everyone loves! There are so many good recipes out at that place for astonishing political party sliders.
- Snack Boards– Anybody loves a cheese lath! Add some more fun to your cheese board to make the ultimate snack board. This is such a unique idea and makes it like shooting fish in a barrel for everyone to contribute a snack and throw it all out in bowls or on boards. 2 Peas and Their Pod have a smashing sweet and salty charcuterie board.
- Favorite Appetizers– Have anybody bring their favorite appetizer! Then you'll merely need to provide drinks and a few of your ain favorites!
DESSERT Political party FOOD IDEAS
Great for late-night become togethers. Provide drinks and a few main desserts, as your guests to bring a dessert to share. Toss in a veggie tray for the healthy eaters.
- Ice Cream Sandwich Bar – A giant batch of cookies and some water ice cream go a long manner! Check out this gorgeous, inspirational water ice cream sandwich bar from The Tomkat Studio.
- Brownie Bar – Start simple and just accept everyone bring a brownie or bar to share. So yummy and piece of cake!
- Build Your Ain Sundae Bar – Take hold of a couple gallons of ice cream – the more flavors the better. And then enquire everyone to bring their favorite toppings like fruits, nuts, sprinkles, chocolate syrup, whipped foam, etc. Don't forget to accept a few of the basics on hand!
- Due south'mores Political party – This is the perfect thought for summer and lounging around with friends. It's a perfect political party food idea! Get even more swell s'mores bar ideas from Fun365.
- Popcorn Bar – Talk virtually easy and cheap! Popcorn is super inexpensive and mix-ins are easy!
- Cookies – Wanna go along information technology unproblematic? Just make a behemothic batch of cookies and invite everyone to bring a batch of their favorite cookies. In that location will be enough to go effectually and anybody will get something they love.
We likewise have a printable version of this listing plus all the topping and food ideas, be certain to grab that list!
Remember…even the simplest (and cheapest!) meals can be succulent and a crowd pleaser.
Here are some quick tips for keeping your grocery beak down when shopping for a party:
STOCK Upwardly
Throughout the year, picket the sales! If you see condiments become on sale, stock up. Same with fries, paper plates, napkins, drinks, and other pantry items. This too goes for annihilation you can freeze (cheese, tortillas, meat, etc.).
USE WHAT YOU Take
Before running to the shop, open your refrigerator, freezer, cupboards, and pantry and employ what you have! This goes for decorations, besides. Trust me…you'll salve A TON of money if yous simply get artistic with what you lot already have.
PLAN YOUR MENU Effectually SALES
The week of your political party, go along an eye on the ads and employ it to influence your carte. If Coke products are on sale that week, buy those instead of Pepsi products. If Heinz ketchup is cheaper than Hunts, then buy Heinz. That alone will salvage you TONS.
BUY IN BULK
Ownership majority will save you tons of money when cooking for a crowd! I prefer shopping at Costco, personally, but fifty-fifty grocery stores have bulk sections. I avoid ownership cutesy plates and cups since they are WAY more expensive. Rather, I stick to the bulk plates and cups and apparel up my political party in other ways. See below for ideas!
Be SMART. PLAN AHEAD. DON'T GO CRAZY.
Yous don't need to serve gourmet ketchup at your BBQ; just buy whatever is cheapest. Don't just shoot from the hip and purchase eight heads of lettuce for your taco bar unless y'all know for certain that it's exactly how much you demand. Waste material non, be reasonable, and don't go crazy! 🙂
PARTY ACCESSORIES & MUST-HAVES
Accessories make the outfit when it comes to throwing a party. Whether it's functional must-have'due south or little touches that give a party some POP!, here are some accessories that I recommend for feeding a crowd:
Option A COLOR SCHEME
Now, you lot don't have to become crazy with it, only just incorporate information technology here and there to tie it all in together. Whether information technology's with picayune decorative pieces, invitations, nutrient labels, napkins, table cloth, candles, or with the food itself, bringing a pop of color in can bring your gathering to the next level.
For a dessert party I threw, I had yellow and green equally my accent colors. To tie the colors in, I simply placed unlike sheets of 12×12 scrapbook paper under some of the dishes. You can also use tissue newspaper and wrapping newspaper for this. And yep, you can utilise the paper for time to come projects!
STATEMENT NAPKINS
This is an cheap mode to wearing apparel upward a gathering. Lately I have been ownership my beautiful napkins from Ikea. Await at how adorable they are! I love them because they are Big (sometimes party napkins are itty fragmentary), and are super sturdy. They're affordable, also!
SERVING WARMERS
An amazing crockpot is e'er a must when serving a crowd. You lot tin can cook and serve right in the crockpot, so it cuts down on dishes and mess! I accept two different electric serving warmers and I'm OBSESSED! I got one for Christmas a few years ago from Costco. It'south perfect for food that you've fabricated in advance, and want to keep warm.
I got the Oster buffet server warmer tray ane year for Christmas. I love it considering information technology's iii private crock pots that actually melt, which makes for easy make clean-upward since I'm doing everything in the same pot.
These are the handiest tools Ever for feeding a crowd. They salve space, keep your food warm, and look nice and professional. They are pretty affordable. I recommend keeping your eyes peeled and buying them Afterward Christmas when they get on sale. It'due south an investment that you volition be able to apply over and over! I even employ these for our Dominicus dinners.
STYLISH TABLE CLOTH OR RUNNER
This is not only an easy way to dress up your gathering, but will also protect your furniture. I have had luck buying them at Home Goods for $5. I like the vinyl ones that are like shooting fish in a barrel to wipe downward, just I also have textile ones that I tin throw in the washing machine. Once again, it'due south an investment that yous can use over and over.
Keep in mind that you can as well utilise a roll of wrapping paper down the center of a table equally a dispensable runner! I also like the cheap table cloths from the dollar store, considering you can toss them guilt-complimentary if they're too dingy to continue and reuse later.
SIGNS AND FOOD LABELS
No demand to buy any fancy ones from Etsy or other shops. They're uncomplicated! Y'all can fifty-fifty make them on Discussion or in Canva! Labels add together cuteness and creativity to a gathering, but are likewise really functional… Specially for dessert parties then people can know if in that location are nuts in the dessert they are about to swallow.
I always like to put a sign on my front door so people don't experience like they have to knock and look for me to answer, AND and so they know they are at the right house. Once again, just make information technology on your computer, print information technology, and stick information technology on some cute scrapbooking paper. Easy and free 🙂
Space-SAVING TOOLS
Functionality and flow is key when feeding a crowd. You don't want people to have to attain over 3 different trays of nutrient to reach the napkins! Here are some tools I similar:
- I bought a birch Lazy Susan table from Ikea for under $15. This is SUCH a great tool for condiments! People can spin the table, grab what they want, and it doesn't take up much space. It looks neater and helps people become what they need without reaching over all the food.
- Cupcake stands are a nice way to save space. You lot can buy these especially cheap at craft stores using coupons. Think, Michaels always has a 20% off code!
Utilize WHAT Yous HAVE
I dear using babe food jars or leftover tupperware to serve sauces and toppings. Wrap a cute ribbon around them, put a characterization on or next to them, and at that place you get.
I salvage and re-utilise plastic baby food containers (the Walmart make). I LOVE THEM because they are like tiny tupperware. For my potato bar, I prepared the toppings alee of fourth dimension, stacked them in the refrigerator, then pulled them out when it was fourth dimension to start the party. I also utilise colorful baby spoons because they are the perfect serving spoon size.
SERVING PLATTERS, PLATES AND DISHES
The dishes you employ to display your food tin can really make a statement at a gathering. The skilful news? There are TONS of ways to go inexpensive platters and dishes! Thrift stores, dollar shop, Target, Walmart, clearance, and even getting artistic and making some yourself. I've even made a stand out of dollar shop items and mucilage! You can get TONS of DIY project ideas from Pinterest.
We got a tiered stand up as a wedding gift and have used information technology probably a 1000000 and one times. Purchase a functional piece for a proficient deal, and yous will utilise it over and over! This rectangular serving stand looks like it would be perfect for so many types of parties! Neat investment!
STORAGE TOOLS
My MIL bought me an astonishing picnic caddy from Costco one year and I use it for EVERY Single gathering we accept. I dearest it considering it avoids having to stack things (plates, napkins, silverware), keeps things keen and organized, and takes upward fiddling counter or table space.
I absolutely Dear my centre-folding plastic table I got at Costco. They sell them online for a petty under $90, but I'm pretty sure I got mine for much less in the store…peradventure $50 or $60?
Costco's plastic utensils are THE All-time. They are so sturdy, I actually toss them in the dishwasher and utilise them over again! But, if I'm outside (like at a family reunion or picnic) then nosotros tin can toss them, guilt costless. They always have coupons for them too, so stock upward when they go on auction.
Party DRINK IDEAS
You know we're all about the food, but don't forget almost the drinks!
DRESS YOUR H2o Upwardly
Rather than serving fancy, expensive drinks, give your water a face-lift! Slice up fruit to make flavored h2o. Put your water in a cute pitcher. Dress it upwardly with fancy ice cubes. All like shooting fish in a barrel ways to serve a nice drink…for inexpensive or free. Ikea has great ice cube trays for cheap. The black tray is really cool because it creates ice cube rods that yous can put in water bottles! You can make a groovy brandish out of these for people to put in their cups.
Take fruit that is hobbling or on it's manner out, and freeze it. When it's time for a party, break upwards the fruit and freeze it in your water ice cubes. How fancy is that?! I adopt serving my water in a large dispenser and then I don't have to keep filling it upwardly throughout the party. I shopped effectually for one for a year or two, and then finally settled on a $17.99 pitcher from Costco that has been fabulous.
SERVING SODA
When I desire to serve something other than water, I often go the easy route and buy a case of h2o bottles or serve soda in the tin. I keep my eye on soda all twelvemonth and stock up when it goes on sale. Mix a clear soda with some Crystal Light and you have a succulent party punch anybody volition love!
And so there you go! Wow, this was the longest post ever. Hopefully at present you have all the tools you lot need to accept LOTS of gatherings this twelvemonth… on the cheap. Call back, even the cheapest and simplest meals can make for an unforgettable party with a picayune creativity and a lot of love.
*Don't forget to check out my Studio 5 segment for details about feeding a crowd!
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If you're new here, welcome! You tin can get all budgeting and finance tips, and my surreptitious sauce in my fun-to-watch video plan Budget Kick Camp!
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WHEW, well in that location you have information technology! All of my best tips, tricks and cheap party food ideas. What's your go-to political party food when y'all accept people over? Let united states know in the comments!
Looking for more great ideas?
- If you loved these party food ideas, then yous definitely want to check out these inexpensive and fun party ideas to throw with friends!
- Don't throw that leftover political party nutrient out! Use these creative ideas to reuse information technology.
- Nosotros've got some slap-up birthday political party ideas, too!
Hope you lot enjoyed these fun and cheap party food ideas! Happy partying 🙂
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