How to Host an Unforgettable Dinner Party on a Budget, According to Jessica Nguyen

1. Delegate the cooking

Delegate one of the courses to a guest to minimise stress and pocket strings. It then becomes one less thing you have to think about, and is easy for other people to pick up and provide as their contribution.

I usually delegate dessert or a snack/entree to a guest as it’s something they can pick up or make to bring over, be it a beautifully baked cake, some delicious cheeses, or a tray of freshly shucked oysters to have before dinner.

3. Opt for big pot, slow-cooked dishes

Big pot, slow-cooked dishes will feed a crowd for less or even my Egg Fried Rice. They generally use second-rate cuts of protein which are cheaper and with a bit of love and time, they’re guaranteed crowd-pleasers.

You can prep these the day before and make a large quantity, more than needed for the dinner party, which you can then freeze as leftovers and enjoy for future dinners, saving you more time and money!

5. Use a tablecloth

If you have to purchase one item to transform a table, buy a tablecloth. Opt for the Bed Thread’s tablecloth in White if you want something that will suit all occasions, otherwise, go for a bold colour like Turmeric or Olive if you want to make a statement and inject colour into your dinner party and space. You can create your own look with our Build Your Own Table Bundle.

7. Go the produce route

If not florals, opt for in-season fruit and vegetables to decorate the table. A bowl of lemons, a small jar filled with herbs, or something from your garden can be just as impactful as flowers and if you want to be even more intentional about them, you can strategically choose fruits and vegetables to display that you can then cook with in the food you’re serving. Otherwise, re-use them for your meals later that week.

9. Create a playlist

A usually overlooked component of a table setting is the sensory and sound aspect, and a curated playlist costs nothing to pull together. Create a shared playlist that your friends can also contribute and add in their favourite songs, which will guarantee everyone will love a song on the playlist and enjoy the night. Set the mood with some candles, and dim the lights.