Tis the season - its time to party like its 19.99!
Posted on 10-Nov-2009 to Entertaining
Last year during the holidays as we hopped from one holiday party to another we searched for great eggnog and creative tips on how to throw an unforgettable get together that your guests will think cost you a fortune (it was hard work but someone had to do it!) . One year later and its that time of year again so we'de like to share what we uncovered.
Drinks
If you're serving wine, buy a less expensive (but tasty) boxed wine and then put it in a beautiful decanter. Don't you worry, your guests will never know the difference and you'll be richer for it. You will save up to 25%. And to stretch your wine even further, consider serving Sangria, which can be made with inexpensive white or reds, along with soda, fruit, juices and brandy.
Or better yet, rather than serving wine, serve hard liquor. A 750 ml bottle of wine will pour 6 drinks, while a 26 oz. bottle of vodka will serve 26 drinks. That's more than four times the drinks! And instead of offering an extensive bar, serve your own house cocktail. Martini anyone?
Dinner
For dinner parties, hit up your local farmer's market or ethnic market for fruits, veggies and even meats. You will spend a fraction of what you would pay at a large grocery chain. One fabulous hostess we met found a beef tenderloin at the local grocery store for $49.47 and she was able to get the same cut of meet at our local butcher for $35.97 - 28% less!
If cooking gourmet specialty items is your thing, test out a local cooking studio where you can prep your meal ahead of time. These trendy studios offer wannabe chefs a variety of recipes, in which all ingredients and cooking supplies are included at a Smart Cookie Approved price. You then take the meal home uncooked and simply follow the cooking instructions on the day of your party. Cost average is about $5 per serving.
Dessert
Don't be shy. When your guests ask if they can bring something, your answer should always be "yes"! Dessert is a great item to suggest your guests bring. But whether it's a dessert, an appetizer, or a bottle of wine, don't be afraid to ask because your guests will be glad to contribute.
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