5 tips for an elegant and inexpensive evening with friends

I love entertaining and could have people to my house every day!!  Summer is a great time to invite people to spend an evening on the deck.  Of course, I never have anyone to my home that there isn't food and something to drink.  As much as I love to entertain, that can get expensive.

Over time I've realized that people are really pretty easy.  Most come for the company, not the food and drinks.  So with just a little effort you can make an inexpensive evening look like an elegant affair.


First, it is all about presentation.  You can actually get away with small servings and light fare if it is presented beautifully.  Use pretty bowls.  You can usually pick up cool bowls for under $5.00 at Marshall's or TJMaxx.  Or, use mini appetizer plates and bowls to create a tapas style buffet.  Make your own hummus which is inexpensive, easy and a great conversation starter.  And always serve what is in season.

Second, ditch the bottles and serve water from a pretty pitcher.  You can slice lemons, oranges, cucumbers or anything else that has a fresh flavor and float them in the pitcher.  Put out two pitchers with different fruits.  The more slices you add, the stronger the flavor.

Third, if you want to have cocktails then create a signature drink.  Try a porchcrawler or bellini's for a light, pretty cocktail.  Put in your invite that you will be serving a special cocktail and that guests are welcome to bring anything else they would like to drink.  It is appropriate to allow people to bring something else and appropriate if you are serving a limited drink selection (as long as you have water or some other non-alcoholic option).


Fourth, make your setting company ready.  Using things that you already have, make the place where you want people to mingle special.  Maybe you light candles, put on music or even put out pictures that will spur conversation.  Make sure that there is seating that allows for conversation.  You can move chairs into conversation pits for the event.  Also make sure that your "company" bathroom is clean and has toilet paper, soap and a clean hand towel.


Finally, spend time with your guests.  They've come to see you so don't spend time worrying about the dishes or running around refilling glasses.  If you have everything premixed and ready you can focus on enjoying your guests.  That's why you invited them over, right?