Comments on: Cheerful Frugality At Table

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Sun, 12 Sep 2010 18:50:45 +0000

[...] Frugal Hacks: Cheerful Frugality at Table If you’re used to eating out, switching to at-home dining can be difficult. FH pitches in with good ideas about creating a restaurant-like ambiance in the kitchen. [...]

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Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:34:57 +0000

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Fri, 20 Aug 2010 02:31:35 +0000

By: Jora

Jora — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 14:26:21 +0000

For my tween/teen DD’s and their friends, I let them loose with candlesticks, vases, etc., and THEY set the table.

Like the toddler and the goblet, their manners improve. Even if dinner is just baked potatoes and salad.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:07:47 +0000

So true! We like to “dress up” a meal by having a buffet or having a “server” My kids both seem to LOVE to do this and will ask for it. FYI here in the Commonwealth “soup beans” are pretty much for broke folks. Now, BLACK BEANS–those are exotic!!! heheheheh Cheap food to me is that stuff they try to call “Mac and Cheese” out of the box. The best way to fix “cheap” food? Stock up on FREE cookbooks at the library!!

By: Peregrina

Peregrina — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:58:05 +0000

My husband is the easiest man in the world to please…which is good, because he likes everything, but bad, because I have no idea what he likes best! But after 13 years, I have just learned to be thankful for that quality, which used to annoy me to no end.

So I set the table how I like it…and use the “good dishes” on a regular basis, and make the food beautiful.

Because that blesses my heart, and doesn’t cost a thing!

By: Niki

Niki — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 05:10:56 +0000

I too love making our family meals fun, and now we have such high expectations when we go out to eat because the experience has to measure up to home!

We like to have theme nights from time to time (Caribean/ Tropical, Italian Romance, 50s diner, etc.) and I’ll purchase a few songs from Itunes to help set the mood. Most songs cost 99 cents each, so I buy 4-5 (just enough for meal time). I can make a custom music mix, which is really fun, for less than a themed CD, and I get to hand pick which songs to include.

Sometimes we also watch a movie that goes with the theme. Here are a few ideas:
-Italian night- lasagna, chicken caccitore, watch the Godfather or Lady & The Tramp
-50′s diner- burgers, fries & shakes, watch Grease
-Russian- Chicken Kiev, watch Dr. Zhivago or Anastasia
-French- Coq Au Vin, watch American in Paris or Beauty & the Beast

Who needs to go out when the party is at home?

By: Jane

Jane — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 04:13:26 +0000

Great post! Helen is so right! My husband makes a point to complement most meals and I tell ‘ya it doesn’t cost a cent and it is pretty motivating!

By: Helen

Helen — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 23:14:06 +0000

nice ideas! I have a pretty glass pitcher that I put iced water in on the table, and we have some gorgeous old-fashioned coloured glasses.

I’m not Christian so I don’t say grace, but our dinnertime conversation often includes a reference to how fortunate we are to have good food and family to share it with.

I also think it sets a good example when adults present thank whoever prepared the meal and compliment them on it, however humble it is!

By: Shannon Miller

Shannon Miller — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 23:08:58 +0000

Meredith – This is such inspiration for me. DH and I love going out to eat, but it’s just gotten to the point that it is such a rare treat – babysitters are just not in the cards right now. But we need those date nights more than the once or twice a year we can get away!
I have definitely noticed that the more we eat at home, the better the kids behave and the more satisfied we all are. I’m working on being more creative in what I cook – trying to be healthier and just more diverse. Being more creative in the way I present things will really help, too. Just taking a few minutes to switch from school/project table to dining table will be a big difference!