How much would you spend on a dinner party for 8????

[yosammitysam]

We're having some of my husbands colleagues (new job) round for dinner on Friday night and I just did an internet shop for most (but not all!) the ingredients and wine and it's over a hundred quid! Reckon I'll spend at least another twenty or so on other bits I'll need, and I'm not sure I've ordered enough wine. Is this normal??!! It seems an awful lot for an evening sweating over a hot stove!

We have people over a lot but usually they offer to bring a course and I know they'll all bring a bottle but we don't know these people terribly well so I want to make sure I've got everything covered. Pus there are various dietary issues which means I'm a little limited in what I can cook. I'm just doing little bruschetta type things as a standing-up starter then two Thai curries (from scratch, not jarred paste etc)- one veggie and one chicken then Eton mess (couldn't think of a cheaper pud!) Also I don't just want to do a chilli or stew- I sort of want to do something a bit more interesting...

We are supposed to be on an economy drive at the moment and I'm worried I've been extravagant. But then I guess it will work out at twelve pounds a head for all the food and wine which I guess is ok....?????

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

That does sound like a lot!... but it's bought now so no point fretting :) Strangers might not bring a dish to eat but, if they've got any manners, they'll bring you some wine or nice chocolates or something. Have fun.

[Aworryingtrend]

I did a dinner party for 6 recently and that week's shop came to £120 (normal weekly shop £60) and that was only buying two bottles of wine as we already had some in. So I don't think £100 for 8 is totally OTT.

Your menu sounds lovely.

[ZZMum]

I did what I thought was a cheap meal for 6 adults and 5 kids this week - nibbles, curry and fruit pavolva - and it came to about £70 - no wine in that .. so yes it can be expensive to entertain at home!

[HowToLookGoodGlaikit]

I did a Chinese buffet style dinner party for 8 and it cost me £60ish. Everyone brought their own alocohol though.