Cheap Night In: Hosting Guests on a Budget
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New research by DFS has revealed that hosting is growing in popularity, with 30% of Brits being more likely to host their friends for a night in than they were two years ago.
In fact, the survey of 2,000 adults found that one in four of us has swapped nights out for evenings at home with our friends as a direct result of the cost-of-living crisis.
Nevertheless, despite these money-saving efforts, 23% of Brits admit that sticking to a budget is one of the biggest challenges they face when hosting at home.
So, to help hosts manage their party budget, interiors and lifestyle blogger Antonia Ludden has shared her top four tips to avoid overspending.
- Stick to the essentials
When you’ve agreed to host your friends, it’s easy to get caught up in the details – such as games, themes, and the perfect playlist. But when it comes down to it, the purpose of your gathering is to have a fun evening and spend quality time together.
Start by setting a clear goal for the evening. Whether it’s a game night, a movie marathon or a nice dinner you should make that activity the focus of the evening. By streamlining your preparations you’ll avoid getting bogged down in unnecessary details.
- List your shop and shop your list
Hosting on a tight budget is possible with a bit of planning and creativity. But you need to keep on top of it, or costs can easily run away from you.
Avoiding waste and excess is the most important thing you can do when shopping. Make a complete list of everything you need for your party and stick to it. Be wary of impulse purchases and don’t fall into the temptation of buying something just because it’s on offer.
Buying and preparing whole foods in bulk is the best way to keep costs down. You avoid the marked-up prices of prepackaged foods, and you can also freeze leftovers.
- Design your own DIY decor
If you can’t imagine a party without decorations, why not craft your own?
This is what Gen Z and Millennials excel at, and they are constantly creating stunning garlands, beautiful candle-laden centrepieces and handwritten place cards for a personal touch. In fact, the TikTok hashtag #diyproject has over 600k posts in the last year alone.
And for those who perhaps aren’t the most confident crafters, then social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram are an absolute treasure trove for tips, tricks and tutorials for DIY decorations – your biggest problem will be narrowing it down!
- Ask for contributions
Don’t worry about asking guests to contribute – many people enjoy bringing something to a gathering. Instead of leaving it to chance, try coordinating with your guests. You can ask them to bring games, snacks, or even a side dish.
Asking for help is not just about saving money; with 20% of Brits preferring nights in, you’ll be helping friends avoid expensive bar and restaurant bills. Plus, if your guests offer to pitch in, it means less time in the kitchen and more time being a wonderful and attentive host.
For more survey insights and the ultimate guide to hosting on a budget, visit the DFS website.
