Party Planning on a budget- need suggestions

[StephB1170]

I need some suggestions on how to throw a big surprise 40th birthday party for hubby but I need to do it on a budget, but not make it appear to be.

I have about 50 people coming. It will be at my house- so I need: great nice appetizer recipes, food ideas (what is your favorite thing to eat at a party??) DIY decorating ideas, any tips on how to save $$ on things like table rentals, linens, etc....

One neat suggestion I heard was to use martini glasses for putting out peanuts and decorating the food with flowers. Anybody else have any great party planning tips?

TIA!! Steph

[TennJane]

You may want to check out Foodtv.com and look up past episodes of a show called Party Planners. They have lots of recipes for yummy apetizers and they usually try to keep a modest budget. I like the idea of putting munchies into martini glasses - that's easy but would look very nice.
If you are going to have a buffet table of food I think it looks great to use fabric and things from around the house to make a tiered serving effect. Basically you put things like boxes or upside down bowls of different sizes and heights on the table and then cover the entire thing with a piece of fabric. You then place your serving plates and platters on the elevated surfaces you've created with the boxes and bowls. (I hope I explained that in a way that allows you to kind of picture how it would look :) ) It's much more interesting than just placing plates on a table and I bet you could find some nice, inexpensive fabric.
HTH - Good luck planning your party!

[andrew&shannah]

I love to throw parties and they usually require a strict budget...here are some things that usually go over well (but don't cost a lot):
Decor
- Candles, candles, candles...they are a super cheap way to add some decor
- Flowers are also great if you can buy them from a flower market
- Use food for color...I tend to make my food colorful to add to the look of the event

Food
- cheese board with fruit (I usually just get what is one sale from the cheese aisle)
- warm olive plate (inexpensive but a great way to add color to the table)
- bruschetta (inexpensive but always a hit!)
- use fruit to make ice for drinks or put zest of fruit in ice cubes
- put mini cream puffs into martini glasses and drizzle with chocolate

Some Recipes I use very frequently:
Mini Frittatas with Ham and Cheese (put fresh pasley or other leafy herb on white platter and serve frittatas on top)

INGREDIENTS:
Cooking spray
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2/3 cup chopped reduced-fat ham (about 2 ounces)
1/3 cup (about 1 1/2 ounces) shredded reduced-fat extra-sharp cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
4 large egg whites
1 large egg

INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350°.
Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add ham; sauté 3 minutes. Remove from heat; cool 5 minutes. Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl; stir with a whisk. Add ham mixture, stirring with a whisk. Spoon mixture into 24 miniature muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until set.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 3 frittatas)
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White Bean Dip with Pita Chips (slightly 'nicer' version of chips/dip)

INGREDIENTS:
1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup olive oil, plus 4 tablespoons
1/4 cup (loosely packed) fresh Italian parsley leaves
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
6 pitas
1 teaspoon dried oregano

INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Place the beans, garlic, lemon juice, 1/3 cup olive oil, and parsley in the work bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is coarsely chopped. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the bean puree to a small bowl.
Cut each pita in half and then into 8 wedges. Arrange the pita wedges on a large baking sheet. Pour the remaining oil over the pitas. Toss and spread out the wedges evenly. Sprinkle with the oregano, salt, and pepper. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until toasted and golden in color.
Serve the pita toasts warm or at room temperature alongside the bean puree.
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Caprese Antipasticks

INGREDIENTS:
1 package 8-inch bamboo skewers
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
2 (1 pound) tubs bocconcini (small balls of fresh mozzarella), drained
24 leaves fresh basil
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Salt and pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:
For caprese sticks, skewer tomatoes and bocconcini bites, placing basil leaves between them. Drizzle these sticks with extra-virgin oil and season with salt and pepper, to your taste.
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I guess the biggest way i keep costs down is to keep the menu very limited and focused around some theme. For example, I've done a mexican menu with chips/salsa, quesadillas, 7-layer dip, etc. I've done an asian theme with edamame, california rolls, spring rolls, and chicken satay. Most recently, I did an Italian party where we had a cheese board, olive plate, caprese sticks (posted above), and two types of dip (antipasto salsa and white bean) with pita chips.
Then, I usually add two sweets to the list (for the italian I did the cream puffs and something else I can't remember).

Another great way to keep costs low is to limit the drinks that are served (especially if alcohol is involved). Pick 1-2 signature drinks to serve in addition to beer (often we just do beer, white and red wine). Stay away from hard liquor where possible because it jacks the cost up quickly :)

I'll check tonight and see if I have any other tips and come back. There is a magazine published called 'Everyday Entertaining' which is awesome! they usually have a TON of tips in there about making the party nice but not breaking the bank.

[Amuse Bouche]

Homemade hummus is really cheap to make and looks nice if you sprinkle paprika on the top.

Bake cupcakes and get a few square boxes in graduated sizes -- wrap the boxes in wrapping paper and display the cupcakes as his birthday cake.

I would spend more money on food and drink and less on decor, because I think food and drink really contribute to how much fun people have and decor gets forgotten in the first few minutes. That being said, you can get dimmer switches for your lamps and lights cheaply at the hardware store and that creates a nice ambience.

[StephB1170]

andrew&shannah I love the idea of a theme since DH loves Mexican, but is that too limiting to all of the guests? What if people don't like mexican style food?

[mrstim]

Steph -

One thing that my mom always did for a bigger party like that was of course either appetizers or a mexican theme. BUT she did "haystacks" which is layering chips, meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, jalepenos, rice, pecans, salsa, & sour cream. Everything can be prepared earlier on and refrigerated in nice serving bowls. Then she did the taco meat and put it into a crockpot. That way the cooking was done long before and she could concentrate on anything else. If someone doesn't like Mexican they can just make a salad!

As for decorations, candles, pictures of your husband help. We're doing a "clothesline" this weekend at a shower I'm giving, where I'm swagging clothesline along my kitchen and clipping pictures to it. If you do Mexican it wouldn't be too expensive to get a pinata!

There's lots of different ideas and people here are so creative!

Good Luck!
amy

[andrew&shannah]

I don't think it is really too limiting as Mexican food can encompass a broad range of things :)
For example, tomato quesadillas are a mexican themed food but really only consists of tomatos, cheese, and a tortilla. You don't really have to LOVE mexican food to like them :)
If you do chips with salsa and maybe a 7 layer dip, that allows guests to eat chips alone or add things to it if they choose. Maybe try to do a slight variation on a traditional salsa to get more takers...this is always popular in our home:
Black Bean-Mango Salsa
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 teaspoons finely chopped canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped jalapeño pepper
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 mango, peeled and chopped
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

Combine all ingredients in a bowl; toss well.

Another option is a something like black bean salad...serve it with some lettuce on the platter :)
Black Bean Salad
1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup chopped tomato
1/4 cup diced peeled avocado
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
1 tablespoon chopped seeded jalapeño pepper
4 cups gourmet salad greens

Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; stir well with a whisk. Add beans, tomato, avocado, onions, and jalapeno; toss well. Cover and chill 2 hours. Serve over salad greens.

Adding in somethings that have a small mexican touch (black beans, chipotle chilis, etc) but still are "regular" dishes with wide popularity really helps keep the menu pleasing to the majority of guests.

For drinks, Sangria is a great way to please everyone because it isn't too strong and has a pleasing fruit flavor :)
Easy Sangria
1 (1.5-liter) bottle dry red wine, divided
2 tablespoons brandy
2 tablespoons Triple Sec (orange-flavored liqueur)
1/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
5 whole cloves
3 whole allspice
1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
2 cups sparkling water, chilled
8 orange wedges
5 lemon slices
5 lime slices

Combine 1/2 cup wine, brandy, liqueur, and sugar in a 2-quart glass measure. Microwave at high 1 minute or until mixture is warm; stir to dissolve sugar. Stir in the remaining wine, juices, cloves, allspice, and cinnamon. Chill at least 2 hours.
Strain mixture into a pitcher, and discard spices. Just before serving, stir in sparkling water and the remaining ingredients.

[kimthebride]

- Check out www.CookingLight.com to search for recipes by theme, ingredient, ease-of-making, no-cook, etc. I always get raves from the ones I've used.
- Flowers: Buy cheap at the grocery store, BJs Wholesale or order online at www.2groses.com - I used them for my wedding and the quality is great!
- See if it's easier to rent bunsen burners (sp?) or buy them at Party City to keep hot foods hot.
- Buy colorful cheap napkins and paper plates at Party City - put the napkins on the platters to keep a coordinated look.
- Ask your friends if they have any nice platters, serving dishes, etc if you don't. (For example: I have a full set of fine china, linens & stemware for 12 from my wedding registry - I'd let a good friend borrow it for a fancy dinner party if she only asked).
- I got very inexpensive but nice quality white linen tableclothes at Target for when I hosted Easter dinner at my place. Looked very restaurant-y when on.
- Candles, flower petals and dim lighting can do wonders to transform a home.
- Have an iPod? Download an evening's worth of music DH would like (or use his favorite song list) and have it playing via your computer's speakers all night.
- Want to do it kind of cheeky? My DH got a huge kick out of it when I did decor almost like a kid's bday party: I had colorful balloons and streamers and confetti all over. Really brightened up the place and added a festive air. Bought a single-use helium tank for $30 that filled 60 balloons (came with the balloons & curly ribbon to tie them with).
- Have a photo printer? Get his mom to send you a ton of pics of him from birth on, scan them into your pc and print them out as 8x10s. Put a bunch on huge inexpensive poster boards with little captions on them as a conversation piece.

Have fun!

[andrew&shannah]

Just have to add the cookinglight.com ROCKS for getting recipes :) If you aren't a subscriber, the current newstand code is fithouse

[mrsface]

I would definitely suggest picking a theme- Mexican Fiesta is a great one. It makes it so much easier to plan the menu/decor/music etc...

I throw parties all the time, and have a blast doing it. I have some simple white tablecloths that I use for almost everything. I start with those as a base and then get colorful runners and napkins, candles, flowers etc. to spice it up. It's a great way to decorate without having to buy/rent EVERYTHING...

Good luck!

[ManteoChik]

I saw that someone else suggested Hummus....I have the best recipe for hummus and I make it all the time. It's super easy and takes maybe 10 minuts max from start to finish. It is also really cheap to make and it's something a little elegant that people think is difficult to make and it's not.

This particular recipe makes 10 servings, best if served with warm pita points....
Ingredients
1 (15 1/2 oz) can Chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
4 teaspoons Tahini (sesame paste)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 garlic clove
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions
1) Drain and rinse chickpeas, reserving 1/3 cup of the canned chickpea liquid; set aside.
2) In a food processor or blender, combine the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, lemon rind, garlic, cumin, and salt. With the processor running, gradually add the reserved chickpea liquid through the feed tube and process until smooth.

Obviously you would just double (or triple) the amounts of everything. Everytime I make it people always comment on "how long it must have taken me"...lol. I was also able to find all the ingredients that I needed. Most of which I found on the spice or ethnic foods isle.