She Knows Parties

Dinner Party Ideas for Every Budget

by Julie on January 19th, 2008

I have been in the mood lately to throw a dinner party. I love having people over and I finally realized after awhile that I didn’t have to spend a lot of money. It didn’t have to be fancy, but it could if I wanted it to. It can have a theme and not cost a fortune and it can be a lot of fun no matter what budget you’re on!

As I was searching around for some dinner party ideas, I found tons of good ones. Here a couple of my favorites:

$$: ASIAN BANQUET

Treat your friends to an exotic evening with an affair inspired by the Far East. Turn down the lights, fill the room with delicate glowing candles and lanterns, and enjoy plates of sumptuous sushi made at home.

• Setup: Clear out as many knickknacks as you can from the room in which you’ll be hosting, to create a more minimalist space. Hang Japanese paper lanterns and place glowing tea lights all around. Set up pretty Asian fans and wear a gorgeous silk jacket or a silk dress. Use only chopsticks for eating.

• Food: California rolls are easier to make than you may think. Teriyaki is a consistent crowd-pleaser, and sashimi and tempura are also fun to try. Put out a bowl of fortune cookies too, and make everyone read his or her fortune out loud.

• Signature drink: Sake and hot tea.

$$: SPANISH EXPRESS

Spaniards have the right idea: Prepare lots of small plates of bite-size morsels, tasty delectables for everyone to pass around and share. What better format for a party? Play Spanish music (flamenco! tango!), and let the lively Mediterranean vibe take over.

• Setup: Get your guests into the party mood with vases of large festive tissue-paper flowers, and have the Gipsy Kings’ songs fill the room. Cover the table in a bright cloth, and set out maracas for people to shake along with the music — in between sips of wine and mouthfuls of olives.

• Food: Everyone eats Spanish-style with their fingers or with toothpicks — stuffed olives, empanadas, Spanish omelets, chorizo, garlic shrimp, cheese cubes and meatballs in spicy tomato sauce.

• Signature drink: Sangria.

 

For more great dinner party ideas click here.

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