Six Frugal Ways to be a Fantastic Host for Your Friends

The word of the week this week is frugal. It’s one of our favourite words, and way of being.

While TV shows and movies are super unrelatable, there used to be one relatable thing: going out to eat and hanging out with friends. Sure, you can still hang out with friends, but it seems like everything seems to come with a hefty price tag. 

A night out at the movies, a few drinks at the bar, or even a simple dinner at a restaurant can quickly drain your wallet. Of course it’s not just for hanging out with friends, but even trying to have an outing with your family and entertaining your kids has now gotten really expensive.

So, instead of spending a fortune just to hang out with friends, why not bring the fun home? Hosting friends at your place is not only a budget-friendly alternative, but it also creates a cozy and personal atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. Sure, going out to eat is nice, but eating your friend’s cooking? 

Now, there’s something special there! So, with that all said, here are some creative and frugal ways to be a fantastic host.

Create a Home Theater Experience

We projected the football onto a bedroom wall for a really fun experience while watching the Euro games. We are gutted for Slovenia as they did so well throughout the match but lost in the penalty shootout. Ronaldo is looking at his last times of being a world great at football.

You can find numerous tutorials and ideas online that fit any budget. Plus, craft supplies can often be found at dollar stores or can be repurposed from items you already have at home. Honestly, this type of activity provides entertainment and results in a tangible keepsake that everyone can take home, making the evening even more memorable.

Outdoor Picnics and Barbecues

If you have access to a backyard, balcony, or even a nearby park, an outdoor picnic or barbecue can be a delightful way to host friends. Of course, there needs to be the right weather for it! So, this is similar to the potluck dinner; all you want to do is ask everyone to bring a dish, some snacks, drinks, or basically whatever! It’s all about being out there in the sunshine and enjoying that fresh air. 

Plus, it gives people a reason to dress cute (especially cute cottage dresses). But overall, whether it’s BBQ in your backyard or even a picnic at a local park, it’s about that relaxing vibe, and it’s perfect! Plus, you can get some games out for extra fun (seriously, who doesn’t love that?).

We had lunch outdoors a few days and although it wasn’t very hot, it wasn’t too cold either.

Instead of spending a small fortune at the movie theater, why not bring the cinematic experience to your living room? The theater has gotten way too expensive, even for one person, and no snacks! Plus, the floors are always sticky, which makes it a bit uncomfortable, too.

Besides, streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ offer a vast library of movies and TV shows at a fraction of the cost of a movie ticket. You could even do a binge-fest of a movie series, and you might be wondering where to watch Hunger Games, the early Star Wars, Twilight, Lord the Rings, Back to the Future, or any of those popular series, and for the most part, it’s pretty easy to find these online (most streaming platforms have these). 

So, you don’t even need a fancy projector or reclining chairs, just a comfortable couch and plenty of snacks- which are thankfully cheap at the grocery store!

Go with Potluck Dinners

Hosting a dinner party doesn’t mean you have to shoulder the entire cost and effort of cooking a full meal. Honestly, that takes a lot of time, a lot of money, and, yes, a lot of hard work! Seriously, a potluck dinner is a perfect solution. Invite your friends to bring their favorite dishes, and you’ll have a diverse and delicious spread without spending a lot. 

Plus, there’s something pretty exciting (from your guest’s perspective) about bringing food that is homemade. This not only reduces the financial burden on you but also introduces everyone to new recipes and flavors.

Consider Some Game Nights

Game nights are an excellent way to bring friends together for a fun and interactive evening without spending a dime. You can just dust off those board games, card games, or even video games that you have lying around. It’s up to you on whether it’s a classic like Monopoly or a fast-paced game like Codenames; games are great for breaking the ice and sparking laughter.

If you don’t own many games, ask your friends to bring their favorites. But of course, if you have video games, then you can’t go wrong there either; seriously, who doesn’t love Mario Kart? That’s like the best party game around!

DIY Craft or Cooking Sessions

Why not turn your gathering into a creative workshop? This is something that’s slowly getting trendy, but you don’t always have to go to an actual workshop and pay money there; sometimes, you can just do this in the comfort of your own home!

You can find numerous tutorials and ideas online that fit any budget. Plus, craft supplies can often be found at dollar stores or can be repurposed from items you already have at home. Honestly, this type of activity provides entertainment and results in a tangible keepsake that everyone can take home, making the evening even more memorable.

Outdoor Picnics and Barbecues

If you have access to a backyard, balcony, or even a nearby park, an outdoor picnic or barbecue can be a delightful way to host friends. Of course, there needs to be the right weather for it! So, this is similar to the potluck dinner; all you want to do is ask everyone to bring a dish, some snacks, drinks, or basically whatever! It’s all about being out there in the sunshine and enjoying that fresh air. 

Plus, it gives people a reason to dress cute (especially cute cottage dresses). But overall, whether it’s BBQ in your backyard or even a picnic at a local park, it’s about that relaxing vibe, and it’s perfect! Plus, you can get some games out for extra fun (seriously, who doesn’t love that?).

Host a Book Club

Technically, this can cost money, as you’ll need to buy a book, but depending on how you arrange it, it doesn’t need to be expensive at all. So, for those who love a good discussion, starting a book or podcast club can be a fantastic way to bring friends together regularly without spending too much. 

This week I was thinking about my high school Literature book and how much fun they were to read! You can choose a book (or even a podcast episode since those are free)for everyone to read or listen to before the gathering, and then host a discussion session at your place. Of course, you’ll need to provide some light snacks and beverages, and you’ve got yourself an engaging and frugal evening. Plus, rotating the hosting duties among members can keep the experience fresh and varied.

Well, let’s hope that’s given you some good ideas and we look forward to sharing with you again soon.