Don’t let a tight budget make you feel like a hermit this summer. Instead, make gatherings a collaborative effort between friends and family. Find out how to host a pitch-in party to save money and be social this summer.
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Pitch-ins, potlucks, or dish party… no matter what you call it, these are a popular party method for a reason. Our family reunion has been a pitch-in my entire life and I always looked forward to the dishes only found there.
It is also a budget-friendly way to feed a crowd without breaking the bank. That is part of why it’s so appealing. There are a few things to consider when hosting a pitch-in.
Food and Drinks
It’s always a good idea to specify if you expect guests to bring their own drinks in addition to a dish to share. A lot of pitch-ins provide the drinks for guests but this can get pricey depending on your guests. For ultimate frugality, I suggest letting guests know to bring their own.
Keep the food simple. If you are providing the main dish, stick with hot dogs and hamburgers. They are cost effective and most everyone will eat them.
Don’t worry about chips and cookies either. In every group there are the ones who will stop at a store for their dishes. Chips and cookies always show up.
Supplies
Make sure you have disposable plates, forks, and cups. You don’t want to get stuck with a huge mess to clean up at the end of the night. If these are out of your budget, try having a few guests in charge of these items in lieu of a dish.
I also recommend having a Sharpie handy for labeling cups. These things always get mixed up throughout the celebration. Having guests label their cups prevents that.
Entertainment
It’s not enough to invite people over and feed everyone. You need some sort of entertainment. Luckily, there are plenty of ideas that don’t break the bank.
Corn Hole
This is an easy outdoor game for people to enjoy. Have everyone with a set bring theirs so that multiple groups can play at once. Here is a great tutorial to make your own set, too!
Fire Pit
It appears to be a universal man law that if they can play with fire, they will. A small fire pit isn’t that expensive and always a great gathering place for guests.
Warning: Be sure to check your local ordinances before purchasing one. Some neighborhoods don’t allow the use of fire pits.
Giant Glow Pong
Want to keep the party going after dark? This giant backyard game is a blast and easy to make.
Board Games
Don’t let the outdoors fool you. Board games are as much a blast on the back deck as they are in the house. Don’t be afraid to try an outdoors game night. Get awesome ideas for games here.
There you have it! Now you know how to host a pitch-in party with all of your friends and family this summer. Take turns rotating the house that hosts it to keep it fair, especially when you all have kids. It is nice to be able to put your kids down for the night sometimes and simply enjoy socializing.
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