I like to think I am thrifty in most areas of life, but a little more indulgent when cook for holidays. Still, even then I do not go all out crazy. I still was a badly of stress before my mother-in-law came over, though the kids chatted with her, and DH, who had rested most of the day after over doing it on Saturday in the store, sat with her while I got appetizers on and the potatoes baked. I was curious what my meal ended up costing. A few items I am not including. DD1 picked up vegan Country Crock butter for me. We made some vegan sugar cookies and wanted for frosting as well as garlic butter for zucchini. I should count, but I didn't. I also served the $20 bottle of wine DH and I got at the vineyard our anniversary weekend. I knew he'd never drink more than a glass, and I figured my MIL would like it. He didn't have any since he is still not well, though of course, is going in today for as long as he feels he can.
Dinner
Pork loin- $7.53 (it was a massive 3.5 pound and was good)
Salmon portions-9 at $7.99
Sweet Potatoes-6 large $2.29
3 Zucchini-$1.29
Asian cabbage salad $2.99
Dinner rolls $ .99
Veggie pattie box of 4 were $2.99
Appetizers
Baguette $1.69
Olive Tapenade $1.99
Kalmata Olives $2.29
Bruschetta topping $1.69
Ginger Ale $1.25
Grand total $35.19
I only cooked 6 of the salmon, and two were quite large, so there are two cooked that DS will most likely eat today for lunch with bagels. (I say lunch as he is most likely sleeping late as he just stays on LA time for the most part when he has short visits.) I have a lot of leftovers of everything else as well, though the salad will be droopy, so we'll eat leftovers amongst the holiday foods the next few days. I need to get some dinner or sandwich rolls for the pork, but may end pulling it apart and freeing the leftovers. I'll keep the veggie patties, DD1 only had one, for her when she vists and keeps her dad company for the remaining football games of the season. I used some of my Chex mix with appetizers and just holiday treats with coffee, but if I didn't have the treats, I would have made a simple cake for just a few dollars. I'm going to say $5.86 a person. Considering I have leftovers and had I bought wine, we usually like a couple brands that I can get for $10 or under, I think that is roughly what the meal cost per person for apps, dinner, drinks, and desert. I don't know how that compares. It is very high for us for a typical meal, but I think was elevated to what we normally eat.
Pricing out entertaining is a mind hobby of mine. I know we would save a lot in my entertainment budget if I would do some more often rather than meet people out. My hosting anxiety though kicks in, and even just having one person, albeit my MIL, created more stress than other people have. I hope my MIL enjoyed it. The kids said the meal was really good. DH doesn't see to be tasting anything, but did eat well. If you holiday menu plan, I'd love to hear what you spend on a meal if you are open to it. I think the salmon was probably the big splurge, mostly because I just don't make it. Do you have a holiday splurge item?
By my holiday meal on Christmas eve yours was very inexpensive. There will be 15 of us. I am have shrimp with pasta with Emerial seasoning. I bought 8 lbs of shrimp at $14.00 for 2lbs. We are also having Italian sandwiches with specialty Italian meats that were not cheap. I do Christmas eve so I know what I will spend. This does not include pop, wine, and beer.
ReplyDeleteYes=at $56 just for the shrimp, your menu exceeds mine, though I'd have to triple for a table of 15. It's not the norm that I serve two meats. Yours sounds like a special meal and I am sure all will enjoy it.
DeleteOur situation is a bit different, as we travel for the holidays. We typically contribute $100 for food for the two days, and bring martini ingredients. I also make a festive bread, that everyone eats at breakfast.
ReplyDeleteMy family will then show up at our vacation house for a couple of nights (or maybe just one for my sister this year). We are reasonably casual entertainers. We prefer a bigger happy hour (cheese, meat, nuts, sliced fruit, etc) with drinks, and then lighter dinners. We sometimes do calzones, pizzas, shrimp cocktails, crab cakes, etc. I'll poll the group when we're together tomorrow. Because our vacation house is not big, the kitchen is exposed to the dining area, so we are all together, even when we are prepping meals, which I love.
I like the idea of prepping as a group, and all being together. When we bought this house, everyone wanted sperate dining rooms. though I do have an eat in kitchen as well. I like when people join me even if just to sit while I am prepping-except, my MIL would leave me a wreck.
DeleteWell, my turkey was free. I cannot imagine cooking more than one or two items. The sweet potatoes were $0.37/lb back in October. Stovetop Stuffing was about 25 cents for the box. Cranberry sauce from a can was less than $1. Green beans--free. I think I will make a pecan pie. With just two of us here, price of food is not the question. Can I get it all cooked at once and on the table is the question.
ReplyDeleteYou could have courses! No worry about when the food comes out.
DeleteWe have a huge brunch and though I had most things I am going to try and affix a price to some of it,
ReplyDeleteRack of lamb 22ish $
Turkey breast 8$
Milk punch 10$ plus 17 $ for the brandy
green beans 2$
frittata around 10$
potato casserole 5$
crudite 5$
dip 1$ maybe (made with things I always have on hand)
broccoli casserole 3$
Marinated cheese 6$ with crackers or baguette slices another 3$
Assorted cookies and candies 15$ maybe? (All homemade with ingredients I always have on hand)
I do not skimp on holiday meals and we will eat this for a long while afterward, but this year we are going to have a party with some neighbors after Christmas. It is called Gathering the Fragments to come eat leftover goodies
Anne, I like your "gathering the fragments" idea - I might try that on my neighbours!
DeleteHappy Christmas Sam
ReplyDeleteArilx
And to you as well! I'm looking forward to your next day trips and pictures.
DeleteI think your meal worked out very inexpensive. Well done. I don't do that with meals but if I ever go to the theatre or a concert I estimate the number of spectators X the cost of the ticket. I have no idea why but I guess we all have our foibles! I used to get entertaining anxiety too but I eventually realized it was caused by my husband. He used to crash around the house stuffing things into cupboards and it really stressed me and all the food had to be PERFECT. Our house was always picked up and clean but so what if a couple of things were not put away. He never actually "helped". Since he's been gone I enjoy it and don't "entertain" as such but we have informal get-togethers. I also don't like anyone in the kitchen with me as I like to prepare and clean up alone. Each to his/her own I guess. And I hope your hubs feels better soon. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI am getting wore out with his being wore out. HE tries working, and then comes home so exhausted, he hasn't been very good company. He has hardly seen our son, but hopefully the next few days.
DeleteHappy Xmas, Sam!
ReplyDeleteI don't splurge on anything at Christmastime - India's within touching distance - that's my indulgence. xxx