Thrifty Thursday: Dinner Parties

If you'd like to host a party but don't want to go broke, here are ideas for scaling back without losing out on the fun!

- Reduce the number of dishes, or have guests bring some to share. One or two dessert/appetizer/spread offerings are just as appetizing as four or five or more, and guests will eat less with fewer options.
- Fancy tablecloths. You can use a plain white or other solid colored cloth, and use inexpensive decorations to create a festive feel (pinecones, tinsel, leftover curling ribbon, flower pots in the spring, dried leaves in the fall, etc).
- Plan ahead and buy ingredients based on sales, used boxed or bargain wines, and be creative with ingredients you already have in your pantry.
- Skip throwaway dishes and utensils. If you decide to use them, have guests write their names on the cup to keep track of it and avoid using several.