Showing posts with label Anniversary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anniversary. Show all posts

Wednesday 17 July 2024

How to Cater for a Special Anniversary Party on a Modest Budget

Celebrating a special anniversary is a wonderful way to honour love and commitment. 

While grand events can be memorable, a heartfelt gathering can be just as special without breaking the bank. 

Here’s a guide to catering a beautiful anniversary party on a modest budget, ensuring your celebration is both enjoyable and affordable.

1. Plan Ahead

a. Set a Budget

Determine how much you can comfortably spend on the party. Break down the budget into categories such as food, drinks, decorations, and entertainment.

b. Create a Guest List

Having a clear idea of how many people you will be catering for will help you plan more effectively and avoid overspending.

c. Choose a Venue

Hosting the party at home or in a free community space can significantly reduce costs. If you need more space, consider asking friends or family if you can use their garden or home.

2. Simple and Delicious Menu

a. DIY Finger Foods

Prepare a variety of simple, yet delicious, finger foods that guests can easily enjoy while mingling. Options include:

Sandwich Platters: Mini sandwiches with a variety of fillings like ham, cheese, and cucumber, or egg and cress.

Vegetable Crudités: Serve fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, and peppers with dips such as hummus or tzatziki.

Cheese and Crackers: An assortment of cheeses with crackers, grapes, and chutney.

Homemade Sausage Rolls: These can be made in advance and are always a hit.

b. Hearty Salads

Prepare a couple of large salads that are both filling and inexpensive. Some ideas include:

Pasta Salad: Mix cooked pasta with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, and a basil pesto dressing.

Potato Salad: Combine boiled new potatoes with mayonnaise, mustard, and chives.

Green Salad: A mix of lettuce, cucumbers, and avocados with a light vinaigrette.

c. One-Pot Dishes

Consider making a couple of one-pot dishes that can serve a large number of people. Examples include:

Chilli Con Carne: Serve with rice or tortilla chips.

Curry: A vegetable or chicken curry served with rice or naan bread.

d. Desserts

End the meal on a sweet note with simple, crowd-pleasing desserts:

Eton Mess: A mix of crushed meringues, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries.

Chocolate Brownies: Homemade brownies are easy to make and can be cut into small squares for easy serving.

Fruit Salad: A refreshing mix of seasonal fruits.

3. Affordable Drinks

a. Non-Alcoholic Options

Offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages such as:

Homemade Lemonade: Fresh and inexpensive to make.

Fruit Punch: Mix fruit juices with soda water and add fresh fruit slices for garnish.

Tea and Coffee: Always a good idea to have these available, especially for older guests.

b. Alcoholic Options

To keep costs down, focus on a few key alcoholic beverages:

Wine and Beer: Purchase these in bulk from a wholesale store or supermarket.

Signature Cocktail: Create a simple signature cocktail and make a large batch. This can be more cost-effective than providing a full bar.

4. DIY Decorations

a. Handmade Touches

Create a warm and inviting atmosphere with homemade decorations:

Bunting: Make your own using fabric scraps or coloured paper.

Fairy Lights: String up fairy lights for a magical touch.

Photo Collage: Create a collage of photos showcasing the couple’s journey together.

b. Flowers and Greenery

Use seasonal flowers and greenery from your garden or a local market to decorate tables. Simple arrangements in mason jars or repurposed bottles can be very effective.

5. Entertainment

a. Music

Create a playlist of the couple’s favourite songs or music from the era they got together. If you have a musically inclined friend, consider asking them to perform a few songs.

b. Games and Activities

Plan some fun activities that don’t require much expense:

Memory Lane Quiz: Create a quiz about the couple’s history.

Photo Booth: Set up a DIY photo booth with props for guests to take pictures.

6. Final Tips

a. Delegate Tasks

Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for help with preparations. People are often more than happy to contribute a dish, help set up, or assist with other tasks.

b. Keep It Simple

Remember that the most important aspect of the celebration is the shared experience. Focus on creating a warm, enjoyable atmosphere rather than stressing over extravagant details.

Conclusion

Catering for a special anniversary party on a modest budget is entirely possible with a bit of creativity and planning. By focusing on simple, delicious food, affordable drinks, and homemade decorations, you can create a memorable celebration that honours the occasion without straining your finances. With love and care, your anniversary party will be a joyous and unforgettable event for everyone involved.

Saturday 8 July 2023

Clearspring Pledges 30k of Free Plant-Based Meals to Mark 30th Anniversary

Leading Japanese and organic fine foods specialist Clearspring is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and has teamed up with their long-term partner, plant-based community cookery school and food charity Made In Hackney, to donate 30,000 free plant-based meals to communities who are in need. 

Made in Hackney, which are celebrating their own 10th anniversary, will work with Clearspring to donate products and cooked meals to families and individuals who have emergency support needs.

Sarah Bentley, founder of Made in Hackney said: "Made In Hackney and Clearspring believe everyone should have access to high quality, healthy food that's good for people and the planet. Clearspring have supported our community cookery classes, meal service and fundraising activities with their incredible products for many years. 

"We're really pleased and delighted to partner with them now to provide 30,000 free plant-based meals to households with food support needs as part of Clearspring's 30-year anniversary."

Maria Dawson, who's the MD at Clearspring commented: “Reaching 30 years as an independent family business is a really great achievement to celebrate. We wanted to use this opportunity to make a concerted effort to give back to the community with our pledge to donate 30,000 free plant-based meals.” 

Alongside the food donation pledge, Clearspring will also be fundraising throughout the year to support the important work Made in Hackney is doing. Clearspring will also partner with other organisations including City Harvest, who help to distribute food to over 350 local charities offering food support to local communities.

Maria Dawson went on to say: “We also wanted to say thank you to everyone who's helped us reach this 30-year milestone. Thank you to the brilliant Clearspring team, the fantastic organic and Demeter certified farmers and artisan food producers, the committed wholesalers and retailers who stock our products and the loyal shoppers who choose to add Clearspring to their baskets every day. 

"Please know that your continued support is helping us realise our dream to create a more sustainable future and is enabling us to work and play to convert one more acre back to organic each day.”

Clearspring was founded in 1993 by award-winning organic Japanese and plant-based foods pioneer Christopher Dawson. Originally from New Zealand, he came to London to study organic and biodynamic farming and subsequently set-up and ran his own health food shop, East West Natural Foods, in London back in 1977.

Christopher decided to move to Japan in the 1980s to further his understanding of organic agriculture and made the country his home for the next 18 years, working with local artisanal producers to convert and comply with international organic standards. Clearspring was created as a way to help the producers he worked with share their unique traditional and organic products with a global audience.

From humble beginnings offering Organic Japanese Miso Soups, Teas and Tamari, Clearspring now offers a vast range of over 300 products across 30 categories, including Japanese specialities, Tofu, Seasonings, as well as European cold pressed oils, vinegars, snacks, purees, pasta and pasta sauces. All Clearspring products are plant-based, refined sugar free and made without the use of artificial additives or ingredients. Clearspring is available in over 60 countries around the world.

 You can find out more about the fundraising and food donation campaign by visiting https://www.clearspring.co.uk/blogs/news.