7 Simple Ways to Host On a Budget

It’s exciting to have your friends and family over for a holiday or dinner party but it could be costly. As someone who loves to host almost anything and everything, I will share with you ways I have learned to host on a budget. 

After learning how to cut corners without sacrificing quality, I realized that making small changes – such as getting more creative and thinking outside the “hostess with the mostest” box-  was key. By the way, I haven’t had any complaints about any gatherings when I have hosted on a budget. 

In this post, you will learn easy, stress-free ways to host on a budget without it being obvious that you cut some corners all while pulling off an impressive shindig! 

Less is more

•  Keep an intimate guest list. The more people you have, the more food and drinks you will need, meaning the more money you spend. You can make your dollar stretch with fewer people.

•  Serve simple food. This is a big lesson I’ve learned throughout my hosting years; not every gathering needs to have a Michelin-star meal. Having a simple menu is not only budget-friendly but typically more comforting and enjoyable to eat.

Always use what you have when hosting on a budget!

Get creative! We all want to impress our guests and show off all the hard work we put into our pretend cooking show (No? Just me?). Go through your freezer, refrigerator, and pantry to see what you can make with what you already have. 

Host a potluck

A potluck is the best way to host your friends and family while hosting on a budget. Nobody wants to come empty-handed, so having a potluck will allow everyone to contribute and feel involved. Just make sure you assign everyone what to bring so you don’t end up with too much dessert or guacamole.

Plan an activity 

An activity can help make a gathering more focused on something engaging to do or to watch, rather than just a large spread of food and an indulgent dessert table. Consider playing a game, watching a movie or an awards show, creating vision boards, or starting a book club. These activities encourage interaction and can create memorable moments without making it obvious you are hosting on a budget.

Have a start and end time

I love having people over for hours as much as the next guy. But keeping things on a schedule can seriously lighten the load—both on your wallet and the stress of hosting. You can manage how long you hang out based on your budget. The longer your guests stick around, the more you’ll need to provide.

Host a breakfast or brunch

Having people over for breakfast or brunch is the perfect way to host on a budget! The food usually costs less, plus you can whip up a bigger mix of dishes and drinks. It’s the perfect chance to get creative in the kitchen and treat your guests to a delicious start to their day!

Relax!

Getting everyone together is a great way to spread joy among family and friends to create new traditions and lasting memories. Don’t stress too much when hosting on a budget or stress if you can’t top the picture-perfect extravagance you see online. What really counts is how welcoming you are. Just try to have a good time and focus on being in the moment with your guests!

This post was all about how to host on a budget without it being obvious. You can still pull off an amazing gathering with delicious food for friends and family without it costing so much-the way it’s done at Mona’s. Happy hosting!