Setting the scene
The type of table setting can set the whole atmosphere for the evening but this doesn’t mean you have to blow your budget.
If you don’t have enough plates, simply borrow some from a friend. You can grab some lovely tableware from charity shops and it's also worth having a hunt around at your local car boot sale - just have your haggle hat on.
For a great table centrepiece, wash out an empty white wine bottle and place a single flower in the middle. As well as giving you an excuse to polish off a whole bottle of wine, the simplistic effect is striking and fashionable.
If you’re going all out and want to make your guests feel special by sending invitations, a hand written invitation is endearing and cost effective. However, if your handwriting leaves something to be desired, a personalised email is completely free and just as effective, so long as your guests check their inbox!
Budget booze
If your guests are drinkers, then nothing gets a dinner party going like a few well thought out beverages.
If your wine cellar is currently empty (blame it on the table centrepieces), there are usually deals on at the main supermarkets. Check out our weekly round-up of Food & drink bargains, discounts and money saving offers for the latest deals.
It’s a great idea to also offer something more exotic to your thirsty guests and a foolproof tip of mine is to add a splash of pomegranate juice to a champagne flute and then top up with some inexpensive Cava.
Not only does this cunningly disguise the taste of the cheap Cava, it also makes your drink go further. Sangria is also a deliciously inexpensive drink to make, with the main ingredients consisting of red wine and lemonade.
Discount dining
Planning what you’re going to feed your guests can be the trickiest part of organising a dinner party.
It’s dangerously easy to fall into the trap of leaving it to the last minute and then frantically dashing around the supermarket stuffing your trolley with anything you come across. But be warned, this behaviour will only result in mountains of wasted food, a massive hole in your budget and one huge headache.
Instead, you should plan your menu well in advance. A great cheat is to head to a supermarket towards closing time on a weekday. I regularly check out Marks and Spencer's on a weekday afternoon, as they always have great reductions on their food.
Although the items will be close to their best before date, most can be frozen so you can buy well in advance.
You could also head to your local market at the end of the day where they sell produce at reduced prices. Remember to flash your best smile and haggle away to get the best deal.
It’s acceptable to cheat at dessert, after all no one will find out unless you tell them. Take a look at MySupermarket to see who's offering the best deals.
For an even cheaper idea, try serving some in-season fruit and fresh cream.
After-dinner entertainment
To make a really memorable evening, it’s essential you provide some after dinner entertainment.
The success of the following activities purely depends on your guests and how much of your Sangria they’ve consumed.
1) Charades: An old fashioned favourite. Free, fun and a great laugh if you have the right people.
2) Party pieces: Get everyone to tell a joke, a story, recite a poem or whatever they fancy.
3) Musical entertainment: If acoustic music is more your thing, then why not ask a musically talented friend to serenade your guests? You could even do a spot of free karaoke.
So now there’s no reason why you can’t throw a beautifully budgeted banquet for your friends. It's time to start sharpening up your cookery skills!