Whenever you plan on getting together with friends and family for a birthday party or a casual get-together in the backyard, good food and a healthy bar of drinks always help to take the party to the next level. While the actual meal might not be the focus of the event, having nice food and drinks around surely does make it more entertaining. Moreover, food and drinks can be a great way to bring people together and help them socialize with one another. Especially if you are throwing a party where a lot of people will be meeting others at the party for the first time, breaking bread together really helps break the ice.

Though, you don’t need to worry about spending an arm and a leg on it. You can get a really nice menu and a good supply of food and drinks on a very modest budget. Of course, food is one of those things that you can spend as much as you like on it, though don’t let monetary constraints get in the way of your party food prep.

The biggest thing that any host will dread for their party is a shortage of supplies, especially in the food and beverage department. Sometimes it can be hard to estimate how much you need, especially if you don’t know the number of people who will show up. When it comes to food and drink, you definitely want to have more than you need rather than falling short. Here are a few tips to help you manage your party prep so that you have as much you need without having to waste anything the next day.

1. Balance

In many cases, the main reason why things aren’t enough or things are excessive in quantities is because we haven’t taken into consideration the tastes of our guests and we have overbought things that are as popular as we thought. Ideally, you should have at least a basic understanding of what your visitors are into and their preferences. If you are planning a proper dinner then you might want to plan well in advance so you have the time to grocery shop and cook. Though if it is going to be a simple party with just finger food and drinks, you can make things happen on the fly. The main thing to consider is that your dining table and bar have a balance of things. You don’t want to overdo any certain area, rather have a selection of everything but do stock up on popular items like wings and soda.

2. Supplies At Standby

When you are out shopping for a party, there are so many things to keep in mind that it’s nearly guaranteed you will forget an item or two. Especially if you have a wide variety of things to eat and drink, it can be hard to keep track of a long grocery list. This is why it really helps to have a reliable liquor store at hand that can deliver directly to your home. In the case that the party goes on longer or more people turn up than you expected, it can be a lifesaver to have someone deliver directly to the party rather than you having to go out to get the supplies you need. Even if it’s slightly more expensive than market prices, it will definitely be worth the hassle you would otherwise have to endure.

3. Be Prepared

One of the worst things is having cold food and a warm drink. Even if you have all the stock you need, you also need to make sure that it is ready for consumption. It’s a good idea to make sure all your kitchen appliances are in order. If you are doing a barbecue, make sure you have coal, if you are pulling out that extra freezer to chill the drinks, make sure it’s working before the party. You don’t want to throw all your drinks in the freezer only to realize a few hours later in the middle of the party that you forgot to plug it into the socket.

You also want to make sure that you have the right storage solutions ready. Especially if you are in a hot climate or you are having a party outside, leaving the food out too long can lead to spoilage and risks the hygiene of the situation. If you are using an old cooler or fridge, you want to make sure it doesn’t have any odor that could creep into food or drinks. Try to keep things clean, as well as keep things fresh, and it should be a good night.