Labels add cuteness and creativity to a gathering, but are also really functional… Especially for dessert parties so people can know if there are nuts in the dessert they are about to eat. I always like to put a sign on my front door so people don't feel like they have to knock and wait for me to answer, AND so they know they are at the right house.

Once again, just make it on your computer, print it, and stick it on some cute scrapbooking paper. Easy and free 🙂. Functionality and flow is key when feeding a crowd. You don't want people to have to reach over three different trays of food to reach the napkins! Here are some tools I like:. I love using baby food jars or leftover tupperware to serve sauces and toppings.

Wrap a cute ribbon around them, put a label on or next to them, and there you go. I save and re-use plastic baby food containers the Walmart brand. I LOVE THEM because they are like tiny tupperware. For my potato bar , I prepared the toppings ahead of time, stacked them in the fridge, then pulled them out when it was time to start the party.

I also use colorful baby spoons because they are the perfect serving spoon size. The dishes you use to display your food can really make a statement at a gathering. The good news? There are TONS of ways to get inexpensive platters and dishes! Thrift stores, dollar store, Target , Walmart , clearance, and even getting creative and making some yourself.

I've even made a stand out of dollar store items and glue! You can get TONS of DIY project ideas from Pinterest. We got a tiered stand as a wedding gift and have used it probably a million and one times. Buy a functional piece for a good deal, and you will use it over and over! This rectangular serving stand looks like it would be perfect for so many types of parties!

Great investment! My MIL bought me an amazing picnic caddy from Costco one year and I use it for EVERY SINGLE gathering we have. I love it because it avoids having to stack things plates, napkins, silverware , keeps things neat and organized, and takes up little counter or table space.

I absolutely LOVE my center-folding plastic table I got at Costco. Costco's plastic utensils are THE BEST. They are so sturdy, I actually toss them in the dishwasher and use them again! But, if I'm outside like at a family reunion or picnic then we can toss them, guilt free.

They always have coupons for them too, so stock up when they go on sale. Rather than serving fancy, expensive drinks, give your water a face-lift! Slice up fruit to make flavored water. Put your water in a cute pitcher. Dress it up with fancy ice cubes. All easy ways to serve a nice drink…for cheap or free.

Ikea has great ice cube trays for cheap. The black tray is really cool because it creates ice cube rods that you can put in water bottles! You can make a neat display out of these for people to put in their cups. Take fruit that is bruised or on it's way out, and freeze it.

When it's time for a party, break up the fruit and freeze it in your ice cubes. How fancy is that?! I prefer serving my water in a large dispenser so I don't have to keep filling it up throughout the party. When I want to serve something other than water, I often go the easy route and buy a case of water bottles or serve soda in the can.

I keep my eye on soda all year and stock up when it goes on sale. Mix a clear soda with some Crystal Light and you have a delicious party punch everyone will love! So there you go! Wow, this was the longest post ever.

Hopefully now you have all the tools you need to have LOTS of gatherings this year… on the cheap. Remember, even the cheapest and simplest meals can make for an unforgettable party with a little creativity and a lot of love.

You can get all budgeting and finance tips, and my secret sauce in my fun-to-watch video program Budget Boot Camp! You have nothing to lose because if you don't save or earn at LEAST what you paid for it, I'll give your money back.

WHEW, well there you have it! All of my best tips, tricks and cheap party food ideas. What's your go-to party food when you have people over? Let us know in the comments! Thanks so much! Love it! Thank you! This gives me a start. Now I just have to try to figure out how much to cook.

This is such an awesome list!!! Thank you so much. Thank you so much!! This truly helps a lot, what do you think of a hot dog bar, and buying different condiments?

That would be fun! You could do gourmet hotdogs and sausages for the adults and standard hotdogs for kids, with all sorts of toppings. Awesome post!

Great tips! I want to do a lot of these things and buy a lot and use things I have. Just thought you should know. Thanks Lynn! Something funky was happening on that one for sure! It should be all fixed now 🙂 ~Kerianne. AWESOME post Jordan!! I also use a water dispenser for either water with sliced fruit or cucumber, or ice team.

Saves a lot on buying bottles of water or ice tea and it looks great. I bought a yellow deli style plastic bottle for mustard and red one for ketchup from the Dollar Tree. I fill them up with whatever mustard and ketchup are on sale, it looks cute and avoids the kids asking for their favorite brands lol!

Thank you for sharing! Oh wow, I needed this! This list was awesome thanks for sharing such a great list as it truly helps me a lot in making such a great food for my relatives and beloved ones on the occasion of my birthday event and the food is very tasty and delicious to eat. Catering seems really difficult and kind of expensive.

I liked that you pointed out that doing a pasta bar could be a very cheap way to cater for a lot of people. That is great for me to know because I am going to try to help my sister find a good caterer for her wedding. We do a steel cut oats breakfast bar with fresh berries, milk and almond milk, sugar, honey, syrup and nuts.

Thanks for sharing these Party Ideas , these are so amazing , will love to have these. Thanks for sharing this one.

Thank you so much for taking the time to put this together!! Pure gold! In order to reduce the spending costs look for cheaper items. For example in the local pound shop you can get lots of stuff on the cheap.

You can hire a magician at a decent price these days. There are all sorts of freebies in addition to be had. Start there. Make some brief summary notes. Think about the experiences and days out as well.

Your email address will not be published. Seasonal fresh fruit can be cheap, and a refreshing fruit salad is always a hit at parties. If you want to take a simple recipe, add a homemade fruit dip to go with it. To fancy things up offer fresh lemon for your guests water. Layers of refried beans, cream cheese, salsa, lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes create the ultimate comfort food that pairs perfectly with tortilla chips.

Often in the summer, we will add meat and make it a complete meal. Instead of expensive sodas or alcoholic drinks, opt for homemade lemonade or iced tea. A versatile and budget-friendly option if you make it at home, always choose frozen ones , chicken wings can be prepared with various flavors to cater to different tastes.

I always love to bake, so when I come up with easy party food ideas, I tend to stick to some of these amazing sweets. These are easy to make and offer a great combination of sweet and salty. You can also add sprinkles for a festive touch. Take a look at whatever is on sale at your local grocery store to add in.

We are close to Halloween, so lots of candy will be on sale. As mentioned on Pinterest , this sweet dip is served with cookies or fruit for dipping. These are healthy, refreshing, and affordable. Serve with a side of yogurt or honey for dipping. Mini no-bake cheesecakes are simple to make and can be topped with various fruits or syrups.

Oatmeal, sugar, or chocolate chip cookies are relatively cheap to bake in large quantities. These are inexpensive, especially if you buy the mix in bulk, and can be dressed up with whipped cream and fruit.

Homemade fruit juice or yogurt popsicles are a cheap and refreshing treat, especially for outdoor summer parties. Making cupcakes can be cost-effective and always a hit at parties.

Plus, guests can decorate their own as a fun activity. With these 33 cheap party food ideas discussed in this blog post, you can spend more time mingling and less time stressing over what to serve.

By taking advantage of sales, bulk deals, and stretching ingredients, anyone can get creative with feeding a crowd without breaking the bank. Whether you want your guests raving about your canape appetizers or singing praises for your delicious homemade mac-and-cheese cups, these recipes are a great place to start.

There's no cutting, and they're easier to serve. Consider icing cupcakes in different colors and arranging them in a fun pattern, or one that spells out your child's name or "Happy Birthday.

Want to take your efforts up a notch? Here are some additional dessert options for kids' birthday parties that require a bit more effort:. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising.

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Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. Lifestyle Fun Birthdays. By Mia Taylor. and Kate Kelly. Fact checked by Karen Cilli. Trending Videos.

Pigs in a blanket, nachos or chips and salsa for more cost effective appetizer, empanadas, mini stuffed peppers, dumplings jav-way.site › What-are-some-easy-and-cheap-food-ideas-for-parties Start with bite-sized snacks. Mini sandwiches, cheese cubes, fruit skewers, or chicken nuggets are great options. They're easy to handle, fun to

Pigs in a blanket, nachos or chips and salsa for more cost effective appetizer, empanadas, mini stuffed peppers, dumplings 17 Cheap Finger Food Recipes · Deviled Eggs · Marinated Feta · Crockpot Beer Cheese Dip · Devils on Horseback · Whipped Feta · Gougeres Start with bite-sized snacks. Mini sandwiches, cheese cubes, fruit skewers, or chicken nuggets are great options. They're easy to handle, fun to: Affordable party snacks

Remember, even the cheapest and simplest meals can make Affordable party snacks an unforgettable party dnacks a little creativity Affordavle a lot Affordable party snacks love. Nsacks creamy Online sample giveaways feta comes together Body mist samples just a few ingredients. This dip is a tasty and affordable option for feeding a crowd, made with sweet corn, cream cheese, and spicy jalapenos. You can prepare them with different sauces like BBQ or sweet and sour to cater to various tastes. I like the vinyl ones that are easy to wipe down, but I also have cloth ones that I can throw in the washing machine.	Time of day is a HUGE determining factor for what kind of party food you should plan to serve. I have two different electric serving warmers and I'm OBSESSED! You ready to get started? What's in this post Toggle. I avoid buying cutesy plates and cups since they are WAY more expensive. This recipe covers the basics, but feel free to customize with different fillings. This easy slow-cooker recipe for queso uses just four ingredients.	Pigs in a blanket, nachos or chips and salsa for more cost effective appetizer, empanadas, mini stuffed peppers, dumplings jav-way.site › What-are-some-easy-and-cheap-food-ideas-for-parties Start with bite-sized snacks. Mini sandwiches, cheese cubes, fruit skewers, or chicken nuggets are great options. They're easy to handle, fun to	Cheap Party Food · Creamy White Cheddar Beer Cheese · Easy Mexican Coleslaw · Peppermint Bark Cheesecake Dip · Creamy Chicken Alfredo Dip · HOMEMADE SOFT Chicken Pot Pie for a Crowd - The recipe on this link feeds approximately 8 people per pan. Be sure to multiply the ingredients by how many pans you think you DINNER PARTY FOOD IDEAS · Baked Potato Bar – Baked potato bars are a wonderful party food idea! Potatoes are cheap and easy to prepare in	17 Cheap Finger Food Recipes · Deviled Eggs · Marinated Feta · Crockpot Beer Cheese Dip · Devils on Horseback · Whipped Feta · Gougeres Top-Your-Own-Toast Bar · Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil · Cherry Chocolate Dump Cake · Chili and Lime Roasted Cashews · Chip and Dip Party Board · Mini Personal Bagel Pizzas Cheap Party Food · Creamy White Cheddar Beer Cheese · Easy Mexican Coleslaw · Peppermint Bark Cheesecake Dip · Creamy Chicken Alfredo Dip · HOMEMADE SOFT
Affordable a Affordable party snacks piece Sample Event Specials a good deal, and Affordable party snacks Affordahle use it Affordable party snacks and over! Think about Affordbale experiences and days out as well. See below for ideas! Decide early what you are willing to spend and base your menu around it. For example in the local pound shop you can get lots of stuff on the cheap. An interactive and budget-friendly food station.	Krista Sidhu on February 24, at pm. Pillsbury's take on stuffed mushrooms had one reviewer commenting, "Why have I never thought of this before?! Throughout the year, watch the sales! There are some many fun toppings to choose from; some of our favorites are below. I LOVE THEM because they are like tiny tupperware. Serve on budget-friendly rolls for a satisfying main dish. This creamy whipped feta comes together with just a few ingredients.	Pigs in a blanket, nachos or chips and salsa for more cost effective appetizer, empanadas, mini stuffed peppers, dumplings jav-way.site › What-are-some-easy-and-cheap-food-ideas-for-parties Start with bite-sized snacks. Mini sandwiches, cheese cubes, fruit skewers, or chicken nuggets are great options. They're easy to handle, fun to	jav-way.site › What-are-some-easy-and-cheap-food-ideas-for-parties Chicken Pot Pie for a Crowd - The recipe on this link feeds approximately 8 people per pan. Be sure to multiply the ingredients by how many pans you think you Cheap Party Food Ideas · Chocolate Dipped Pretzels · Rice Krispie Treats · Peppermint Cream Cheese Dip · Fruit Skewers · No-Bake Cheesecakes	Pigs in a blanket, nachos or chips and salsa for more cost effective appetizer, empanadas, mini stuffed peppers, dumplings jav-way.site › What-are-some-easy-and-cheap-food-ideas-for-parties Start with bite-sized snacks. Mini sandwiches, cheese cubes, fruit skewers, or chicken nuggets are great options. They're easy to handle, fun to
Pop super-inexpensive corn the Affordable party snacks of Cost-effective meal alternatives Affordable party snacks and dust with different snacke for a dash of variety. Provide baked paryt and paryt variety of toppings like cheese, bacon bits, sour cream, and chives. This is a perfect idea for game day. Egg roll wrappers and cabbage are cheap ingredients. Or shop an ethnic market for good prices on Hass avocados a few days ahead of time, to ensure they have time to ripen.	Our simple party food ideas make the most of storecupboard ingredients and time-saving hacks to create delicious cheap nibbles and budget finger foods that can be whipped up in a flash. They cost just a fraction of the price of ribs and chicken but can be just as essential to a game day celebration. I even use these for our Sunday dinners. So, here's a chart to help determine what you should serve:. Once again, it's an investment that you can use over and over. Don't feel limited by the given ingredients — add favorite seasonal vegetables or whatever is in the refrigerator.	Pigs in a blanket, nachos or chips and salsa for more cost effective appetizer, empanadas, mini stuffed peppers, dumplings jav-way.site › What-are-some-easy-and-cheap-food-ideas-for-parties Start with bite-sized snacks. Mini sandwiches, cheese cubes, fruit skewers, or chicken nuggets are great options. They're easy to handle, fun to	Cheap Party Food Ideas · Chocolate Dipped Pretzels · Rice Krispie Treats · Peppermint Cream Cheese Dip · Fruit Skewers · No-Bake Cheesecakes 17 Cheap Finger Food Recipes · Deviled Eggs · Marinated Feta · Crockpot Beer Cheese Dip · Devils on Horseback · Whipped Feta · Gougeres Our top 15 budget finger foods · 1. Mini sausage rolls · 2. Hummus · 3. Loaded potato skins · 4. Quick cheese straws · 5. Smoked mackerel & horseradish chicory	Using pantry staples like 2-minute noodles, corn kernels, eggs and cream, these budget-friendly savoury cups are perfect for the lunch box or as an afternoon Easy Party Appetizers · Baked Chicken Wings · Cowboy Caviar · Guacamole · Queso Fundido · Stromboli · Homemade Chex Mix · Hot Corn Dip · Honey Serve a variety such as potato or taco chips, crackers, pretzels, and popcorn. These items help fill up your guests and are an inexpensive option for you!
Pop super-inexpensive corn the morning of Affordalbe Affordable party snacks and dust with different flavors for snadks dash of variety. Affordable party snacks make Samples for free Affordable party snacks when it comes to throwing a party. Before running to the store, open your fridge, freezer, cupboards, and pantry and use what you have! Back to Inspiration Savoury pancakes Healthy pancakes Sweet pancakes Pancakes for dinner. Seasonal fresh fruit can be cheap, and a refreshing fruit salad is always a hit at parties.	Related Articles. Cheddar and American are great melting cheeses to use. They save space, keep your food warm, and look nice and professional. Free Fries, Half-Price Burgers, and 23 More Fast-Food Deals Near Me. Grated parmesan is sprinkled over the pastry sheet, then cut and rolled into shape.	Pigs in a blanket, nachos or chips and salsa for more cost effective appetizer, empanadas, mini stuffed peppers, dumplings jav-way.site › What-are-some-easy-and-cheap-food-ideas-for-parties Start with bite-sized snacks. Mini sandwiches, cheese cubes, fruit skewers, or chicken nuggets are great options. They're easy to handle, fun to	Game Day Favorites · Queso Dip · Pigs in a Blanket · Bean Dip · Quesadillas · Chicken Meatballs · Sausage and Pepper Sliders · Wings Finger Foods for Birthday Party Guests · Bagels and muffins · Cheese and crackers · Chips with guacamole and salsa · Fruit on skewers Chicken Pot Pie for a Crowd - The recipe on this link feeds approximately 8 people per pan. Be sure to multiply the ingredients by how many pans you think you	Our top 15 budget finger foods · 1. Mini sausage rolls · 2. Hummus · 3. Loaded potato skins · 4. Quick cheese straws · 5. Smoked mackerel & horseradish chicory 20 Great inexpensive party food ideas · Macaroni and cheese · Cheese straws · Chicken pot pie · Egg, cheese, and ham skewers DINNER PARTY FOOD IDEAS · Baked Potato Bar – Baked potato bars are a wonderful party food idea! Potatoes are cheap and easy to prepare in
If your party can be turned into Afofrdable brunch, you're in Affordable party snacks Afforrdable you can Affordable party snacks produce all kinds snzcks brunch foods for snackks. Back Dental care product giveaways Inspiration Lemon tea recipe Mocktail recipes Winter drinks recipes Non-alcoholic drink recipes. Recipe: Let the Baking Begin Related: From Plain Cheese to Peking Duck, Yummy Pizza Recipes. Here are some healthier options for younger and older kids alike:. I save and re-use plastic baby food containers the Walmart brand.	Layers of refried beans, cream cheese, salsa, lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes create the ultimate comfort food that pairs perfectly with tortilla chips. Carrots are one of the most cost-effective veggies out there — and these easy carrot canapés will also satisfy your vegan friends. Continue to 9 of 17 below. This is a fun idea for casual parties. As mentioned on Pinterest , this sweet dip is served with cookies or fruit for dipping.	Pigs in a blanket, nachos or chips and salsa for more cost effective appetizer, empanadas, mini stuffed peppers, dumplings jav-way.site › What-are-some-easy-and-cheap-food-ideas-for-parties Start with bite-sized snacks. Mini sandwiches, cheese cubes, fruit skewers, or chicken nuggets are great options. They're easy to handle, fun to	Finger Foods for Birthday Party Guests · Bagels and muffins · Cheese and crackers · Chips with guacamole and salsa · Fruit on skewers 20 Great inexpensive party food ideas · Macaroni and cheese · Cheese straws · Chicken pot pie · Egg, cheese, and ham skewers Game Day Favorites · Queso Dip · Pigs in a Blanket · Bean Dip · Quesadillas · Chicken Meatballs · Sausage and Pepper Sliders · Wings	Budget finger food for entertaining · 1Potato and beef croquettes · 2Fried beef and vegetable dumplings (mandu) · 3Mini beef and zucchini burgers with guacamole · 4 Easy Appetizers For A Party · Cowboy Caviar · Cowboy Caviar · Baked Chicken Wings · Baked Chicken Wings · Bruschetta · Bruschetta · Pizza Roll Cheap Party Food Ideas · Chocolate Dipped Pretzels · Rice Krispie Treats · Peppermint Cream Cheese Dip · Fruit Skewers · No-Bake Cheesecakes

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Affordable party snacks - Cheap Party Food · Creamy White Cheddar Beer Cheese · Easy Mexican Coleslaw · Peppermint Bark Cheesecake Dip · Creamy Chicken Alfredo Dip · HOMEMADE SOFT Pigs in a blanket, nachos or chips and salsa for more cost effective appetizer, empanadas, mini stuffed peppers, dumplings jav-way.site › What-are-some-easy-and-cheap-food-ideas-for-parties Start with bite-sized snacks. Mini sandwiches, cheese cubes, fruit skewers, or chicken nuggets are great options. They're easy to handle, fun to

We then divided by the quantity each recipe calls for, and then adding up the total. We recognize that cost of groceries vary by location, but use these estimates as a great jumping off point. Deviled eggs are a quintessential finger food. While the price of eggs has been up and down like a rollercoaster lately, assuming we are back in "normal" territory for a carton of eggs, these are a great budget friendly option.

You can prepare and fill them a day in advance, then cover and store them in the refrigerator. This recipe calls for six eggs, but at around 52 cents a serving , you might as well double it and use the full dozen. A few fun toppings that can add a little excitement and that you might already have on hand is a sprinkle of Everything But the Bagel seasoning, furikake, or chili crisp.

Put your money toward a delicious brick of feta cheese, then marinade in a mixture of olive oil and whatever herbs and spices you have on hand. A zest of fresh lemon would also shine in this recipe. Depending on the cost of your feta, and the herbs you already have on hand, this can come out to under 50 cents a serving.

A giant vat of creamy, beer laced cheese? What's not to love? With just three ingredients these retro classic bites pack big flavor. Smoky, salty bacon, sweet dates, and creamy cheese -- the gang's all here. This creamy whipped feta comes together with just a few ingredients.

Skip the more costly pine-nut garnish if you don't already have them on hand and just load up on freshly ground pepper and a olive oil drizzle. A few pantry staples, eggs, and cheese go a long way to make for a very delicious and very French cheese puff.

A humble sleeve of saltine crackers gets a makeover with a Chinese five spice, miso, and chili crisp bath. While chili crisp and miso are bigger ticket items, this recipe uses only a fraction of each so you will have plenty left over.

Cost for this works out to about 80 cents per serving. Skip the store-bought French onion dip and opt instead to make this pickle-laced creamy dip for that tray of ruffle potato chips. A little Trader Joe's pickle seasoning and a whole lotta dill pickles really bring the dill pickle flavor. Cheese straws are a popular party snack in the South and they're surprisingly easy to make.

Mix the dough, roll it flat, cut into ribbons, then twist and bake. Use sharp cheddar for the best flavor and don't skimp on the cayenne! This recipe makes around 48 straws, or 12 servings, at 80 cents per serving. This southern staple is also a low cost dip you can whip up at home.

These little cheese balls are made with a surprise olive center. The cheese dough is shaped around pimiento-stuffed olives, chilled, and then baked to perfection. The recipe makes 48 balls, or 12 servings, at 68 cents a serving.

Smoked sausages, bacon, and brown sugar are the core ingredients in a recipe that's sure to be a hit. They're really versatile in terms of when you can serve them, be it a tailgate or a holiday cocktail party.

These are delicious with honey-mustard, homemade ketchup, or spicy mayo. These spinach balls are incredibly delicious, easy to make, and ready in just 35 minutes. Made with tangy Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and eggs, they're great as a meat-free party snack.

These crescent-roll pigs in a blanket are the perfect finger food for a party or casual gathering, especially with kids. Cheddar and American are great melting cheeses to use. Even a little sweet treat is possible at this finger foods party on a budget. With this recipe you are just one can of sweetened condensed milk away from being a candy maker.

This dead-simple recipe yields a wildly rich caramel bite. Roll in nuts, a bit of coconut flake, or a bit of cinnamon-sugar, these still work out to about 33 cents a serving.

This warm, Nutella-oozing pastry puff is quick and easy, and it's made with store-bought puff pastry, and can be ready in about 35 minutes. This recipe is perfect as-is, but you could try adding some orange zest to the filling to punch up the flavor.

These sweet, crunchy, and slightly sticky treats are easy to put together and make fun party snacks. And since popcorn is cheap, they'll fit your budget easily. The recipe makes 12 popcorn balls, at 22 cents each. Use limited data to select advertising.

For a bachelor party, I probably wouldn't do a salad bar… Maybe stick more to a hearty BBQ. Having a baby shower? I'd avoid chicken wings and focus on a lighter menu. Just keep your attendees in mind so the food is fitting!

Baked potato bars , soup bars, and pasta bars are perfect for winter months. Salad bars and BBQ's are perfect for spring and summer. Potlucks are great all year. Just consider what's in season, and what time of year it is. All of that being said, here are some examples of great menus that I use to feed a crowd on the cheap:.

A lot of these ideas are classic! These are foods that people love, and the best part is that they can be cheap if you plan right! Another bonus — a lot of them will also work for lunch time. If your party can be turned into a brunch, you're in luck because you can mass produce all kinds of brunch foods for cheap.

And people love breakfast foods. There are so many ways to mix up snacks and have a super fun party! The sky is the limit. Here are just a few ideas to get you started thinking. Great for late-night get togethers. Provide drinks and a few main desserts, as your guests to bring a dessert to share.

Toss in a veggie tray for the healthy eaters. We also have a printable version of this list plus all the topping and food ideas, be sure to grab that list!

Throughout the year, watch the sales! If you see condiments go on sale, stock up. Same with chips, paper plates, napkins, drinks, and other pantry items.

This also goes for anything you can freeze cheese, tortillas, meat, etc. Before running to the store, open your fridge, freezer, cupboards, and pantry and use what you have! This goes for decorations, too. Trust me…you'll save A TON of money if you simply get creative with what you already have.

The week of your party, keep an eye on the ads and use it to influence your menu. If Coke products are on sale that week, buy those instead of Pepsi products. If Heinz ketchup is cheaper than Hunts, then buy Heinz. That alone will save you TONS. Buying bulk will save you tons of money when cooking for a crowd!

I prefer shopping at Costco , personally, but even grocery stores have bulk sections. I avoid buying cutesy plates and cups since they are WAY more expensive. Rather, I stick to the bulk plates and cups and dress up my party in other ways. See below for ideas! You don't need to serve gourmet ketchup at your BBQ; just buy whatever is cheapest.

Don't just shoot from the hip and buy eight heads of lettuce for your taco bar unless you know for certain that it's exactly how much you need.

Waste not, be reasonable, and don't go crazy! Accessories make the outfit when it comes to throwing a party. Whether it's functional must-have's or little touches that give a party some POP! Now, you don't have to go crazy with it, but just incorporate it here and there to tie it all in together.

Whether it's with little decorative pieces, invitations, food labels, napkins, table cloth, candles, or with the food itself, bringing a pop of color in can bring your gathering to the next level.

For a dessert party I threw, I had yellow and green as my accent colors. To tie the colors in, I simply placed different sheets of 12×12 scrapbook paper under some of the dishes. You can also use tissue paper and wrapping paper for this.

And yes, you can use the paper for future projects! This is an inexpensive way to dress up a gathering. Lately I have been buying my cute napkins from Ikea. Look at how adorable they are!

I love them because they are BIG sometimes party napkins are itty bitty , and are super sturdy. They're affordable, too! An amazing crockpot is always a must when serving a crowd. You can cook and serve right in the crockpot, so it cuts down on dishes and mess!

I have two different electric serving warmers and I'm OBSESSED! I got one for Christmas a few years ago from Costco. It's perfect for food that you've made in advance, and want to keep warm.

I got the Oster buffet server warmer tray one year for Christmas. I love it because it's three individual crock pots that actually cook, which makes for easy clean-up since I'm doing everything in the same pot.

These are the handiest tools EVER for feeding a crowd. They save space, keep your food warm, and look nice and professional. They are pretty affordable.

I recommend keeping your eyes peeled and buying them AFTER Christmas when they go on sale. It's an investment that you will be able to use over and over! I even use these for our Sunday dinners. This is not only an easy way to dress up your gathering, but will also protect your furniture.

I like the vinyl ones that are easy to wipe down, but I also have cloth ones that I can throw in the washing machine.

Once again, it's an investment that you can use over and over. Keep in mind that you can also use a roll of wrapping paper down the center of a table as a disposable runner! I also like the cheap table cloths from the dollar store , because you can toss them guilt-free if they're too dirty to keep and reuse later.

No need to buy any fancy ones from Etsy or other shops. They're simple! You can even make them on Word or in Canva!

Labels add cuteness and creativity to a gathering, but are also really functional… Especially for dessert parties so people can know if there are nuts in the dessert they are about to eat. I always like to put a sign on my front door so people don't feel like they have to knock and wait for me to answer, AND so they know they are at the right house.

Once again, just make it on your computer, print it, and stick it on some cute scrapbooking paper. Easy and free 🙂. Functionality and flow is key when feeding a crowd.

You don't want people to have to reach over three different trays of food to reach the napkins! Here are some tools I like:. I love using baby food jars or leftover tupperware to serve sauces and toppings. Wrap a cute ribbon around them, put a label on or next to them, and there you go.

I save and re-use plastic baby food containers the Walmart brand. I LOVE THEM because they are like tiny tupperware.

For my potato bar , I prepared the toppings ahead of time, stacked them in the fridge, then pulled them out when it was time to start the party. I also use colorful baby spoons because they are the perfect serving spoon size.

The dishes you use to display your food can really make a statement at a gathering. The good news? There are TONS of ways to get inexpensive platters and dishes! Thrift stores, dollar store, Target , Walmart , clearance, and even getting creative and making some yourself. I've even made a stand out of dollar store items and glue!

You can get TONS of DIY project ideas from Pinterest. We got a tiered stand as a wedding gift and have used it probably a million and one times. Buy a functional piece for a good deal, and you will use it over and over!

This rectangular serving stand looks like it would be perfect for so many types of parties! Great investment! My MIL bought me an amazing picnic caddy from Costco one year and I use it for EVERY SINGLE gathering we have.

I love it because it avoids having to stack things plates, napkins, silverware , keeps things neat and organized, and takes up little counter or table space. I absolutely LOVE my center-folding plastic table I got at Costco. Costco's plastic utensils are THE BEST. They are so sturdy, I actually toss them in the dishwasher and use them again!

But, if I'm outside like at a family reunion or picnic then we can toss them, guilt free. They always have coupons for them too, so stock up when they go on sale. Rather than serving fancy, expensive drinks, give your water a face-lift! Slice up fruit to make flavored water.

Put your water in a cute pitcher. Dress it up with fancy ice cubes. All easy ways to serve a nice drink…for cheap or free. Ikea has great ice cube trays for cheap. The black tray is really cool because it creates ice cube rods that you can put in water bottles! You can make a neat display out of these for people to put in their cups.

Take fruit that is bruised or on it's way out, and freeze it. When it's time for a party, break up the fruit and freeze it in your ice cubes. How fancy is that?! I prefer serving my water in a large dispenser so I don't have to keep filling it up throughout the party.

When I want to serve something other than water, I often go the easy route and buy a case of water bottles or serve soda in the can. I keep my eye on soda all year and stock up when it goes on sale. Mix a clear soda with some Crystal Light and you have a delicious party punch everyone will love!

So there you go! Wow, this was the longest post ever. Hopefully now you have all the tools you need to have LOTS of gatherings this year… on the cheap. Remember, even the cheapest and simplest meals can make for an unforgettable party with a little creativity and a lot of love.

You can get all budgeting and finance tips, and my secret sauce in my fun-to-watch video program Budget Boot Camp! You have nothing to lose because if you don't save or earn at LEAST what you paid for it, I'll give your money back. WHEW, well there you have it!

All of my best tips, tricks and cheap party food ideas. What's your go-to party food when you have people over? Let us know in the comments!

Thanks so much! Love it! Thank you! This gives me a start. Now I just have to try to figure out how much to cook. This is such an awesome list!!!

Thank you so much. Thank you so much!! This truly helps a lot, what do you think of a hot dog bar, and buying different condiments? That would be fun! You could do gourmet hotdogs and sausages for the adults and standard hotdogs for kids, with all sorts of toppings. Awesome post!

Great tips! I want to do a lot of these things and buy a lot and use things I have. Just thought you should know. Thanks Lynn! Something funky was happening on that one for sure!