Comments on: What Can I Bring? – Out of the Box Hospitality

By: southern

southern — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:57:40 +0000

I have always told the person who is coming to bring dessert or a salad. If they spend a lot it is their choice. If I am asked to bring a dessert I know how to make thrifty choices. You are not automatically causing them to spend more than your meal by having them bring something. They may, but if so they probably spend like amounts all the time anyway.

By: Making Meals on a Budget

Making Meals on a Budget — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:58:30 +0000

[...] the subject of meals on a budget, I found this post, What Can I Bring? – Out of the Box Hospitality over on the Frugal Hacks Blog. Post author Janel started an interesting discussion about frugality [...]

By: Kris

Kris — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 16:39:58 +0000

I always buy the chicken breasts on the bone and debone them myself. I get the breast and the tender out of it and then throw the skin and bones is stockpot, throw in any random veggies that are laying around, some water, a few spices and let it cook for a few hours. After it’s cooled I put the pot in the fridge and let it cool. That makes it easy to skim the hardened fat from the top. This makes such yummy stock and then I freeze it using either zip locs or even freezing it into ice cubes. Those cubes make great butter substitute for sauteeing and cooking.

Another think that I do is to throw any leftover veggies from dinner each night into a cottage cheese container in my freezer. When it’s time to make stock I can just throw the contents right in frozen.

By: Janel

Janel — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 23:57:05 +0000

I am amazed. You all came up with some incredible ideas! Many thanks.

By: Maria @ Financial-Tip

Maria @ Financial-Tip — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:50:18 +0000

Oh–I forgot. About the chicken. In my experience, chicken pieces or whole chicken are the best value. We buy local naturally grown chickens, and use the carcasses and bones for making our own chicken stock/ broth, so nothing is wasted. I don’t like to buy just chicken breasts because of the premium price, and we also enjoy the dark meat.

By: Maria @ Financial-Tip

Maria @ Financial-Tip — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:47:12 +0000

I totally have the Italian grandmother syndrome! Aaak! And my dad is Italian so maybe it’s just in my blood. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this post because I can totally relate.
As the hostess, I usually say, “Please don’t bring something if it’s any trouble at all, but if you have wine/salad/dessert on hand that would be excellent.” (I don’t say all three, just one!) And I have a back up in case.
As guest, I love it when hostesses say , “Nothing, really, just come!” because it takes the pressure off. I can bring a bottle of wine or fresh bread as a gift, or if I’m running behind I know it’s okay just to come.

By: Tara

Tara — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:39:11 +0000

If I’ve got the meal down and someone asks, I’ll tell them to bring flowers. It’s great for the evening, and it’ll last afterwards to give us fond memories of a good time!

By: Missy K

Missy K — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:13:21 +0000

I usually go with either dessert or an appetizer– something that does not necessarily have to compliment the main menu.

I don’t really understand the guilt over what someone else may or may not spend on something readymade. I would not ask for anything cost prohibitive, and leave my guest with plenty of options. I have friends who love to cook and those who either are not as comfortable cooking or who are willing to spend more for the convenience of a
“pick up” option. Part of my role as a gracious hostess is to accept their offering without speculation or judgment on their spending choice.

By: Carol

Carol — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:06:48 +0000

Flowers — very affordable and it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Wine, I don’t drink so I’ll always forget that some people like to have something with their meal. Beer works too. Have them bring a game of some kind to play after dinner.

By: Monique

Monique — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 01:41:42 +0000

I was glad to see that link on cost per serving. A few years back I was able to buy chicken leg quarters for 19 cents/pound and I did the math and weighed the bones, etc, and figured it was 1/2 bone and 1/2 meat. The calculator on that site confirmed my math. I wish I could still get leg quarters that cheap, but I never see them that low anymore.