Teenage get-togethers. Affordable on a budget?
Posted by: JoyWe told our 17 year old son and 16 year old daughter they could invite friends over for a barbecue this spring. They decided on this weekend. I asked a few days ago how many I might expect and ds nonchalantly replies “Oh, maybe 50.” LOL! (where is that fainting smilie?) Well, okay then, we’ll make that work. We agreed on burgers and hot dogs, chips, potato salad, baby carrots, cookies, brownies and lemonade.
I found burger patties in a box of 32 for $12, and another with 20 patties for $5 (not the best burgers on that last box - weird texture… I guess sometimes you get what you pay for. ) Went with the least expensive buns, cheaper hot dogs, sliced processed cheese (not individually wrapped), baby carrots were on sale for $1.25/1 lb bag. I bought 6 bags of chips (and have 4 left over because so many kids brought chips to contribute), made brownies and cookies from scratch with what I had on hand. Lemonade was a mix of powdered drink mix and the frozen and the potato salad was cheap since I already have 100 lbs of free potatoes in the garage stored from last fall. I figure it cost me $65! That’s just a little more than $1 per person! And the kids seemed to enjoy it just fine. (now I didn’t factor the paper plates & cups into that - but maybe just another $5 worth from the stash I bought at Sam’s Club a while ago)
Ds rented a movie for $1, we popped popcorn the old-fashioned way on the stove top. Before dark the kids entertained themselves playing soccer, throwing a football around, playing guitar, giggling and visiting. Really, they just seemed to enjoy having an excuse to get together to chat and hang out.
All in all - I’d do it again. (not soon, but again 
) I got to meet a bunch of my children’s friends, I knew where my teens were, who they were with, and what they were doing. I enjoyed seeing that so many of them have wonderful manners and are thoughtful guests. Best of all… my OWN kids think I’m terrific because I took a little time to make it work. (and that pays off later in unexpected ways)
I COULD do it again spending even less. I could have the kids bring chips or desserts or drinks. BUT it was nice to just let them show up.
I think this will be a new springtime tradition in our home. I know I can afford letting our children entertain when I plan ahead. Besides, Food for 50: $65, appreciation from your kids: Priceless. LOL