Beer budget
Instead of a holiday dinner, invite guests to a special brunch. Not only is the food less costly -- since most of your dishes will be based on eggs and veggies instead of meats -- but it's a wonderful alternative for guests whose evenings are getting booked up with dinner parties.
Trish loves interactive meals such as fondues, where everyone gathers around a communal serving pot. Or you might create a potato bar, where a steaming Dutch oven filled with baked potatoes is surrounded by yummy fixings: sour cream, chives, bacon bits, cheeses and other favourites.
Combine a relatively modest but delicious main course, such as Frenched Chicken with lots of beautifully presented side dishes: asparagus bundles tied with a single stalk of lemongrass, exquisitely arranged crudités, brightly coloured squash. Also consider locally grown root and other vegetables, inexpensive and delicious this time of year.
Instead of serving a whole meal, hold a wine and cheese tasting, especially around a theme such as Chardonnays or Canadian wines, many of which are excellent and wonderfully reasonable in price. Many liquor stores have experts on staff who can help you find some great selections.
Instead of a potluck dinner, invite friends (or accept their offers) to help cook a fabulous multi-course dinner. It's not only a great way to get them involved, but lets you keep the menu organized.
On a high budget or a low one, recruit guests to pass around the hors d'oeuvres; food is one of the greatest icebreakers there is.
Read more in Food & Entertaining and Party Planner
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