Having a gathering is always tricky because of the preparation that is required and the added expense to your budget. We normally host the activities and provide the beverages, main dish, and aside. Our guests then provide other dishes to round out the food. Our budget for such gatherings has historically been $20.00, but through careful shopping, we normally come in under budget.
New Year’s Eve
This year, our immediate family will be together on New Year’s Eve. We will have appetizers for dinner and signature drinks. Our son’s drink of choice is sparkling apple cider and we will have frozen mudslides. Our dinner will include wings, a cheese board, a vegetable platter, and random chips, pretzels, or crackers. All of these items have been put together from our pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. Therefore, the added cost is $0.00.
New Year’s Day
This year our good friends are coming over for a game day on January 1st. In keeping with the tradition of Pork and Saurkraut, we will be serving bratwurst, macaroni, and cheese, sauerkraut, and various drinks. Since kids will be present, we limit the sodas or Kool-Aide Jammer to 1 and then drink water. Normally they will bring a dessert, chips, and dip. In addition, if we have any leftovers from our family gathering the night before, we will put them out as well.
In order to keep the work down, we will prepare all of the dishes prior to our guests coming. We will grill the bratwurst on the outside grill and then place them in the oven with a pan of water underneath to keep warm. In addition, the macaroni and cheese can be cooked in the crockpot. Finally, the rest of the items will be on platters in the refrigerator and will only need to be pulled out at the last minute.
Have a very Happy New Year! May next year be better than last year.
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