Throwing cheap parties

**Granola** · 09-20-2007, 12:30 AM

I had some people over for a simple dinner and a movie party, and it was a big success. I served inexpensive fare- spaghetti with tomato sauce, homemade bread, steamed broccilli with garlic and lemon (all this is is broccilli steamed with some mined garlic and then tossed with a squeeze of a lemon and some salt) salad and two desserts- homemade brownies and some plum cobbler made from a super simple recipe in The Vegetarian Family Cookbook.

I thought it was all rather humble, but my friends LOVED IT. I could have just made the brownies or cobbler, even- although I liked being able to send everyone home with a little extra dessert. I bought the salad, plums, spaghetti, sauce and broccilli from Sam's, because I can use the salad, plums and broccilli to eat myself all week and the spaghetti and sauce will keep.

Photos of the food and my friends:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66919832@N00/1409920995/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/6691983...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/6691983...n/photostream/

I think a good, homemade dessert, plus homemade bread, means just about anything you make will look good. That and using real dishes and good company.

This could be a great way to celebrate a friend's birthday without having thr buy any gifts. Have you thrown any successful, cheap parties lately??

**TheRootedNomad** · 09-20-2007, 07:26 AM

We frequently host a card party at our house with mostly male attendance. I always put on a big pot of sauce and a pasta dish and hommade cookies. Sometimes we go more extravegant, but as long as there's pasta and cookies the guys are happy.

**PrairieRose** · 09-20-2007, 08:30 AM

I recently had a b.d. party for my ddad. I had about 47 guests for whom I cooked brisket, pinto beans, potato salad, chopped up gobs of garden fresh tomatoes (our garden), cut up cucumbers and onions and put in oil and vinegar, had fresh peppers from the garden. We served canned drinks (bought some myself, guests brought some) on paper plates and such. It was a cheap party for so many. We were thrilled with the food and had just a tiny bit left over, not much at all.

**PrairieRose** · 09-20-2007, 08:32 AM

Meant to add.....your party looks like a hit. Good for you for cooking and not just ordering out or whatever.

**rainbowgc** · 09-20-2007, 08:37 AM

I loved your party idea! Two thumbs up!

**FrugalMomof3** · 09-20-2007, 09:35 AM

Seems your party was a hit and the found sounds yummy! Glad everyone had a good time!

**Judi Dial** · 09-20-2007, 09:41 AM

Also take a look at:

evite.com

which will help for more elaborate bashes.

There's even a party budget estimator!

Judi

**latierra84** · 09-20-2007, 09:46 AM

mmm sounds delicious! you're making me hungry

**coltsmama** · 09-20-2007, 09:48 AM

We often have football parties, I will usually make alot of inexpensive bite size foods such as, meatballs, ot wings , veggies and dip. Or I will do a large dish such as, chili, lasagna, or potato soup and make some bread or cornbread. I'm glad your party went over well

**Daisygirl** · 09-23-2007, 08:24 AM

Sounds wonderful! I love stuff like this!

**ilovechocolate** · 09-23-2007, 08:39 AM

Sounds like a great time!

I've served chili or pans of Stouffer's lasagne or really easy stuff before, and everybody loved it.

The food at a party is important, but more important is the fellowship and fun.

**pita1213** · 09-23-2007, 09:59 AM

it's been awhile since i had anyone over other than kids birthday parties. but when we do have friends over it's always simple fare too. usually spaghetti a salad and a homemade dessert. i think that in this day and age where most people it out or eat a lot of prepackaged food, it's nice to have someone make you a meal in their house and that's why most people are happy with simple yummy food. it also reminds folks of eating dinner at teh table with their families when they were kids so there is some nostalgia with it too.

**thriftstorequeen** · 09-23-2007, 11:39 AM

Wow! You've got me thinking! I love parties!!! Maybe I'll plan one. It always seems like a party when my kids come over. It might be fun to invite some people over that haven't been here before. Thanks for the idea!