There’s something special about home-cooked meals and cozy intimate spaces. Although self-care sometimes means carving in more “me time” in my schedule, it’s also important to connect with friends and maintain a sense of community.
This fall, invite your friends and host a little seasonal soirée with fresh flowers, Trader Joe’s wine, candles, and delicious food – without hurting your bank account. Create an experience where both you and your friends’ tummies and hearts feel full. From evening ambiance to which wines to choose from Trader Joes, read below for some tips and ideas on how to throw a beautiful and affordable night in for your girlfriends.
Start with Your Guestlist and Suggest a Potluck
Invite your close friends and keep it small and intimate, which helps keep the pressure off when it comes to preparation. If its not in your budget to prepare food for a group of friends, potlucks are an amazing and fun way to save costs! Designate which friends bring the entree(s), sides, and desserts so you don’t end up with three bowls of mashed potatoes.
Affordable Wines & Building your Charcuterie Board
I got two words for you: Trader Joe’s. If you’re on a budget, TJs has a variety of affordable delicious wines, cheese, cold meats, and fruit! Here are a few of my favorite items:
- Rosé: Les Portes de Bordeaux Rosé 2016 – Bordeaux France $5.99
- Nice pink elegant hue. Soft and pleasant bouquet with smooth flavors of fresh strawberries and cherries. Surprisingly enjoyable for the price.
- Crisp White Wine: Hanna Sauvignon Blanc – Russian River Valley, Sonoma CA 2016 – $12.99
- Melon and apricot with fresh-cut grass intertwine on the nose of this crisp white that is long in flavor and minerality.
- Medium Body Red: Tertre du Moulin Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2015– Bordeaux, France $14.99
- This Red Blend, made mostly of Merlot, with Cabernet Sauvignon and just a little Cab Franc makes for a nice red blend. The round mouth feel combines the taste of dark currants and cherry jam flavors with subtle hints of spice.
- CHEESE: Trader Joe’s Unexpected Chedder, French Brie, and Blueberry Goat Cheese
- CRACKERS: Trader Joes’s Rosemary Italian Style Crackers, Classic Original Water Crackers
- MEATS: Proccuito, sliced salami
- FRUITS: Seedless grapes
Ideas for simple and delicious side dishes
- Roasted Roma Tomatoes: Heat oven to 425°. Place tomatoes on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Bake, brushing tomatoes occasionally with the oil, until tomatoes soften and their skins split, about 25 minutes.
- Green Beans: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir green beans, onion salt, garlic salt, garlic powder, and black pepper together until desired tenderness is reached, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Mashed Potatoes
- Caprese Salad Skewers: Super simple to make and always a hit! Assemble 1 fresh basil leaf, 1 cherry tomato, and a mozzarella ball on a medium-sized toothpick. Drizzle with a touch of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper.
Ideas for decorating the table:
- Fresh flowers or some dried lavender as centerpieces
- Tie a sprig of rosemary around each rolled napkin
- Scented candles
- Tablecloth and table liner (if you have them)
I hope you enjoyed these ideas and are inspired to host some ladies over for a night in! Got a recipe you’d love to share? Comment below and let me know what your favorite home-cooked dish is!
