HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
Embrace traditions around the world by hosting a dinner party that celebrates the flavors of another country. Best of all, these international menus for 6 guests were designed with your wallet in mind to give your party high style on a low budget--each party menu only costs $50!
I've included an Estimated Cost Breakdown so you can tally it all up and save even more by using items that you may already have on hand.
When guests ask what they can bring to your dinner party, suggest a bottle of wine or spirits from the country whose food you are featuring, since wine and cocktails are not included in the budget breakdown.
- Potential Places to Have a Party
- Go Green Without Spending the Green
- Fabulous Flower Arranging On a Budget
Italian Menu
Delight dinner guests with an Italian menu that clocks in at around $50!
- Olive Polenta Squares (recipe)
- Easy Fettuccine Alfredo (recipe)
- Green Salad with Diced Tomatoes and Oil and Vinegar Dressing
- Espresso Trifle Martini (recipe)
Estimated Cost Breakdown:
Olive Polenta Squares
$2 - 1 (3.8 oz) can sliced olives
$3 - 1 (1 lb.) box cornmeal
$2 - 1 (2 oz.) container chicken bouillon squares (about 15 count)
$5 - small (8 fl. oz.) generic brand bottle olive oil
Fettuccine Alfredo
$2 - 1 dozen eggs
$4 - 1 pint heavy whipping cream
$5 - 5 oz. wedge Parmesan cheese
$4 - 2 (1 lb.) boxes fettuccine; dry pasta
Salad
$2 - 1 head romaine lettuce
$2 - 3 Roma tomatoes
$0 - olive oil (included above)
$3 - small (8 fl. oz.) bottle red wine vinegar
Espresso Trifle Martini
$5 - 1 store-bought pound cake cut into cubes (frozen desserts)
$4 - 6 cups prepared vanilla pudding
$2 - 1 shot espresso (purchased from a coffee store like Starbucks)
$2 - 1 (lb.) box granulated sugar
$47 - Estimated Total
French Menu
French cooking may seem fussy, but these recipes favor the frugal. The total cost of this menu should set you back a mere $50.
- Baby Red Potato Halves with Chive Cream (recipe)
- Sherried Cream Mushroom Crepes (recipe)
- Caramelized Apples Over Ice Cream (recipe)
Estimated Cost Breakdown:
Baby Red Potato Halves with Chive Cream
$4 - 1 (2 lb.) bag baby red rose potatoes
$2 - 1 (8 oz.) container sour cream
$2 - 1 (.66 oz.) package fresh chives
Sherried Cream Mushroom Crepes
$2 - 1 dozen eggs
$1 - 1 pint whole milk
$2 - 1 (2 lb.) bag flour
$3 - 1 (24 oz.) bottle vegetable oil
$4 - 1/2 lb. butter
$9 - 3 (8 oz.) packages sliced button mushrooms
$6 - 1 small bottle cooking sherry
$4 - 1 pint heavy cream
$1 - 1 bunch parsley
Caramelized Apples Over Ice Cream
$0 - butter (included above)
$2 - 3 Red Delicious apples
$2 - 1 (1 lb.) box brown sugar
$4 - 1 (1 1/2) quart container vanilla ice cream
$48 - Estimated Total
Mexican Menu
Add a lot of spice for a little money with this Latin-themed menu that I've given a ballpark price of $43.
- Lime Cilantro Black Bean Hummus with Tortilla Chips (recipe)
- Enchilada Vegetable Stew (recipe)
- Mexican Flan (recipe)
Estimated Cost Breakdown:
Lime Cilantro Black Bean Hummus with Tortilla Chips
$.50 - 1 garlic bulb
$2 - 1 (15 oz.) can black beans
$.50 - 1 lime
$5 - small (8 fl. oz.) generic brand bottle olive oil
$1.50 - 1 bunch fresh cilantro
$5 - 1 (28 oz.) big bag tortilla chips
Enchilada Vegetable Stew
$3.50 - 3 large carrots (1 bag)
$3.50 - 1 (5 lb.) bag Russet potatoes
$2 - 1 bunch celery
$1 - 1 medium onion
$2 - 1 (15 oz.) can corn
$2- 1 (1 lb.) can stewed tomatoes
$0 - fresh cilantro (included above)
$3 - 1 (1 lb.) can mild Las Palmas Enchilada sauce
$.50 - 1 lime
$2 - 1 (2 oz.) container beef bouillon squares (about 15 count)
$0 - tortilla chips (included above)
Mexican Flan
$2 - 1 (lb.) box granulated sugar
$4 - 1 (14 oz. by weight) can sweetened condensed milk
$1 - 1 pint milk
$2 - dozen large eggs
$43 - Estimated Total
Create a beautiful tablescape of fruit and candles for your Italian Dinner Party.
- Simply lay a bed of green leaves from your garden or lemon leaves along the center of the table. If you prefer, you can place a decorative plate in the table's center instead.
- Accent with fruit, such as: oranges, pears, apples, grapes or whatever you deem appropriate from your refrigerator fruit drawer.
- Illuminate the garland with votive or pillar candles that you have on hand.
For a French feel on the tabletop, keep your display simple and elegant.
- Dust off your best china and silver for this party and display it on a crisp white cloth.
- Adorn the table with taper candles in delicate holders. Check your local thrift store for taper candleholders! Pillar candles have been popular for a while and many people have done away with gorgeous taper candleholders that are perfect for dinner parties.
- Or place votive candles in glass holders and set them on a plate with simple accents.
- Gather white garden flowers to float in a glass bowl for an inexpensive and elegant centerpiece to place on the table.
Celebrate Mexico's culture by dressing up your table in a vibrant way.
- Use bright colors of red, yellow or blue in your table linens or throw a Mexican blanket over the table if you have it on hand.
- Create an easy centerpiece by placing white pillar candles on terra cotta plant saucers or salad plates and surround the base with fresh chile peppers.
- Or pick up a chile pepper plant or mini cactus and display it in Mexican pottery.
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Dinner Table Setting
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