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Frugal Entertaining

Do you love to have company in your home, but hate to spend big money to do so? Even weekend visitors can put a crimp in your family budget. You can do frugal entertaining with family and friends anytime without having to take out a loan.

The worst part of entertaining is the preparation. Every host or hostess wants their presentation to be perfect, but there aren’t enough hours in the day, especially if guests show up unannounced.

The instinct is to order food from a local restaurant, by delivery, or order a pizza. Both are highly expensive.

An option is to run out and purchase prepackaged foods. Food warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club sell prepared food trays. Tray sizes vary so it is easy to choose the one that fits the number of guests you are serving. Create a buffet with cheese, meat, deli, fruit, chicken, and cracker trays.

Offering a variety of sodas can be messy – and expensive. Instead, fix a citrus punch bowl.

You will need: two or three 2-liter bottles of lemon-lime soda, two cans of pineapple juice, a bag of ice cubes, and a tub of lime sherbet.

The taste is light enough for everyone. If you don’t want to use regular ice cubes, fill your ice trays with some of the punch. As the punch warms up, add punch-flavored ice cubes to cool it down without watering it down.

A wise hostess will keep on hand a list of things to do around town that are free or cost very little. Guests with kids may like zoos or museums. A picnic or cookout in the park gives everyone a chance to eat, socialize, and take advantage of park activities all in one venue. Other options are State Parks, local public attractions, and nature reserves. All are very affordable, and guests love to visit the local attractions.

If guests are spending the night, make it as convenient as possible for them and you. Purchase trial size bottles of deodorant, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and travel toothbrushes from the dollar store. Guests may bring these items, but, having a basket of these miniatures in their room will help them if they forgot anything.

Frugal entertaining can be painless and fun even for those who don’t particularly like to play host or hostess. Even on short notice, you can whip up a meal, draw up an event calendar, and prepare a room for those unexpected friends and family.