Food on the Table

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays.  The summer weather lends itself to an outside event where the kids can play in the yard and the dads can grill.

I always enjoy hosting people for celebrations, but I don’t always like footing the bill.   I’ve figured out several ways to minimize the tab and maximizing the fun.

Pick the Right Food

Summer holiday picnic food is by nature budget friendly.  Yes, you can reach for the rib eyes at the store, but remember that hot dogs and hamburgers are less expensive and kid approved.  While a juicy steak is delicious, remember that the best part of a July Fourth gathering is enjoying the company of family and friends.

Make it a Potluck

Ask friends to bring a side.  If you provide the dogs and burgers, your friends can pitch in with a bag of chips, condiments, potato salad, and beans.

Edible Centerpieces

Who doesn’t like a festive holiday table?  You can spend a lot of money at the party supply store buying red, white and blue beads, U.S. flags, and Uncle Sam hats or you can make your centerpieces part of your meal.  Here are some other ideas:

• Berry Bowls

Fresh berries are tasty and beautiful, and they’ll do double duty when make them your dessert and centerpiece.  Use three white bowls or hurricanes.  Fill one with raspberries, one with blueberries, and one with strawberries.  Arrange them in a line down a picnic table.   Garnish with a few fresh mint sprigs from the garden. If you have a few white votives on hand, place them in between the bowls.  Eat the berries for dessert, or use them as topping for ice cream.

• Centercakes

Cupcakes are a staple at any picnic and can be decorated in a variety of ways.  Let these little treats take center stage!  Do you have any pillar candleholders in your house?  Take the candles off and place one cupcake on each candleholder.  If you want to display multiple cupcakes, use a turn a small glass upside down, arrange cupcakes on a small salad plate, and put the salad plate on the glass.  Place two or three of these little arrangements on your table.

BYOB

Alcohol can get really expensive for a crowd.  Let your guests know in advance that you will not be providing alcohol, but they are welcome to bring whatever alcohol they would like to drink.

These are a few of the things I’ll be doing to keep my July Fourth celebration fun and affordable.  What are yours?

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