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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To spend �20 on a dinner party?

76 replies

startrek90 · 22/02/2015 19:07

Just that really. We have 2 friends coming for dinner tomorrow night and its the last time I see one of them before she returns to the US. There are 4 of us total. We don't drink. I think thats reasonable for a main and desert for the 4 of us but DH thinks I am stingy and we should do something fancier. What do you think?

OP posts:
CupidStuntSurvivor · 22/02/2015 19:08

Depends on the gathering. If they're really close friends, they won't care how grand the menu is. But if it's a grand farewell you're looking to host, I'd probably spend a bit more.

DragonMamma · 22/02/2015 19:11

Depends on what you're cooking really. £20 doesn't seem much for a 2 course meal for 4 people?

whodrankmycoffee · 22/02/2015 19:11

Well assuming you have some of the basics in your kitchen already should be fine, unless you are a terrible cook Wink

KitKat1985 · 22/02/2015 19:12

What are you actually making? It's hard to know if what you're making sounds 'cheap' without knowing the menu. But £20 sounds fine to me tbh. x

Bowlersarm · 22/02/2015 19:14

Doesn't sound a lot.

What are you cooking?

DamsonInDistress · 22/02/2015 19:14

You're joking right? £20 might cut it for friends over for spag bol our puts, but a dinner party? No. Just no.

CtrlAltDelicious · 22/02/2015 19:15

What were you planning on doing? I'm all for thriftiness but I think I'd struggle to do a 2 course meal for 4 on that budget...

thatsucks · 22/02/2015 19:15

I have to be honest I spend about £150 on dinner for four when hosting but then again we drink shedloads of wine!

TourGuideBarbie · 22/02/2015 19:17

It does sound like it might be on the cheaper side!

What are you making?

If money is tight can you suggest going halves on a takeaway or something more casual?

Mixtape · 22/02/2015 19:19

It doesn't sound much but it depends what you are doing?

Disclaimer: I have never hosted or attended a dinner party.

nilbyname · 22/02/2015 19:19

As the others have said it depends....

Also you might not drink but I would always offer drinks to my guests so your budget may be blown on a couple of bottles of wine!

I would have some sort of nibbles out while we chat- olives, crisps, nuts
Then a starter? Or not
Then a main-
We has the most delicious chorizo cassoulet last night which is pretty cheap and cheerful, but looks pretty and tastes amazing! Served with a green salad and crusty bread.
Then pudding, chocolate brownies with clotted cream is a crowd pleaser and something you can make cheaply.

DamnBamboo · 22/02/2015 19:20

Makes me laugh does mumsnet.
You have umpteen posters telling people off for spending more than £50 a week on a family of four as it's extravagant.
The OP here is spending £20 on one meal and she's being called tight.

It really depends on what you're cooking OP, although if you have some basics in already and none of you drink, £20 will be fine.

Original poster
startrek90 · 22/02/2015 19:20

I am thinking Greek stiffed aubergines with cous cous and then strawberry pavlova. I can make merange at home and Vegas doesn't cost much.

OP posts:
KitKat1985 · 22/02/2015 19:20

Really surprised by some of these comments. Whenever I've eaten at friends houses it's never even occurred to me to expect them to spend a lot of money on dinner. I just appreciate the company and a chance to catch up with friends.

JanineStHubbins · 22/02/2015 19:21

Sounds nice!

Vegas doesn't cost much Grin

DamnBamboo · 22/02/2015 19:21

Sounds lovely!
Enjoy and if you can do it for £20, good for you.
What are you providing to drink though

Original poster
startrek90 · 22/02/2015 19:22

oops! stuffed aubergines

OP posts:
FirstWeTakeManhattan · 22/02/2015 19:23

As mentioned up thread, if you've got all the basics in and you're well stocked with herbs/spices etc then you might get away with £20.00. Are you on a really tight budget or do you prefer just to set a limit?

What are you thinking of cooking? If you have a great menu planned and you know you can do a fab meal for under £20 then great, though I'd probably budget a bit more. Even without wine, there's decent bread, soft drinks etc.

Bowlersarm · 22/02/2015 19:23

What's Vegas?

What about drinks?

Royalsighness · 22/02/2015 19:24

Depends what you are cooking, I could make a beautiful Thai curry for 4 and buy in a cake for that easy if it wasn't including alcohol.

Anyone who turned their nose up at my offerings wouldn't be welcome at my house anyway, friends are friends, they enjoy the good meals and laugh along with the burnt ones.

chocolatemademefat · 22/02/2015 19:25

I don't care what folk feed me. It's just nice for someone to go to the effort. Hope that budget doesn't include the wine!

CtrlAltDelicious · 22/02/2015 19:25

Makes me laugh does mumsnet.
You have umpteen posters telling people off for spending more than £50 a week on a family of four as it's extravagant.
The OP here is spending £20 on one meal and she's being called tight.
You do realise they might not be the same posters?! Smile

Royalsighness · 22/02/2015 19:25

It does depend what your store cupboard and spice rack is looking like though

DamnBamboo · 22/02/2015 19:29

You do realise they might not be the same posters?!

Smile

Yeah, I know. I'm sure they're not. But just this week there was a thread in AIBU where many scrutinised the OPs shopping bill and were all Shock because she spent £80 a week.

Bakeoffcake · 22/02/2015 19:30

Ofcourse it's find to spend £20.

Your friends are coming to see you, they won't be interested in how much you've spent.

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