It is always fun to get together with friends and family in the summer. It doesn't have to cost a lot to host a BBQ at your home. Our main menu is pretty simple and usually consists of potato salad (inexpensive if made at home, homemade baked or slow cooked beans, and hot dogs and or hamburgers. I usually make the salad and beans the day before if I can. I let guests bring a dish if they offer, such as fruit or chips. Lemonade is an inexpensive beverage. An even healthier option is just to add lemon or limes to ice water. It looks really pretty in a glass carafe. For dessert my favorite is strawberry shortcake. If you pick your own strawberries and make your own shortcake it isn't too expensive. Popsicles are a fun alternative. Have the kids make their own from juice. For cute and reusable summer dinner ware check JoAnne Fabrics if you have one in your area. They often mark things way down around the 4th of July.
If you don't want to host at home, why not invite other families to a nearby park? Maybe for a dessert potluck instead of a full meal.
There are many ways to show hospitality with out wearing ourselves out or costing a lot. I have been shown the best hospitality by people who don't have a lot of material things but do have a lot of love. The important part is hospitality and fellowship.
Check out more Frugal Friday ideas here.
5 comments:
A good reminder of how simple it can be. Thanks.
If I'm going to get together with friends, I'd ten times rather have a simple, yummy meal like hot dogs and hamburgers than something fancy! I'm there to be with my friends...not to be waited on, LOL!
I figure if you want to do fancy, do it with your salad or dessert...something you can make ahead of time.
stacy, thanks for stopping by! I have to look into what to do with the strawberries next... this is our 2nd year the plants were planted, but the first yield. So far i probably have picked 8 qrts from a 3.5'x8-9' area! we are going to transplant some out this year in our back acreage. We only have 4 acres but its enough for now :) Yesterday I canned 33 pints of strawberry jam. I had to buy some berries from a local farm. 12 lbs of berries yields approx. 30 pint of jam! yum!
I just found your blog from LikeMerchantShips. Great article! Building relationships with our neighbors is very important to our family. We host popsicle parties and watermelon parties to get to know the neighbors. It's cheap, it's easy, and it's a great way to get to know people. We also keep a 'map' of the neighborhood with names, ph#s, and emails.
ann at mommysecrets :)
Your post made me hungry! I have twenty pounds of hand picked strawberries in the freezer. I think I'll make a shortcake tomorrow!
Post a Comment