4. Plan a Family-Style Meal
Instead of greeting guests with a plate full of the finest cheeses, dried fruit, and nuts – opt for a family-style meal to welcome guests to your home. Some fantastic family-style meals that you can prepare for your guests include pasta, braised meat, tamales, hearty soups, and fresh seasonal salads. By making items in bulk, you won’t have to worry about a multitude of small dishes to prepare in advance and you definitely won’t worry about running out of food. Even better, if you encourage guests to participate in a family-style potluck as pointed out in tip one, you’ll be able to save even more money by having guests contribute to the fun — and the menu.