To me, August always feels like the month that’s made for gathering people together. The evenings are warm, everyone’s a little more relaxed during the holidays, and there’s something about late summer that makes you want to pull a few chairs into the garden and invite everyone over for a chilled-out catch-up.
In my diary this month, I’ve got family coming for days out at the coast and evening meals, plus I’m hosting a couple of groups of friends who are coming to stay for weekend getaways over the summer. I just can’t wait to see everyone! But hosting doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune – in fact, some of the best get-togethers I’ve ever had were the ones that happened spontaneously and were cobbled together with whatever I already had in the cupboards.
Here are my favourite thrifty ways to host friends this month, whether they’re popping round for a couple of hours or staying the whole weekend…
Garden Drinks Without the Fuss
There’s something so relaxing about just sitting outside in August – even if your “garden” is actually a tiny courtyard or a balcony with just enough space for two chairs and a pot of herbs. I’ve found myself going outside for breakfast this month -but I still do have to pop up the parasol on these hot mornings; otherwise I’d get baked during breakfast!
For a garden gathering, you don’t need fancy cocktails or a bar trolley; you don’t even need a BBQ. Honestly, half the charm is in the simplicity, so I like to gather a few mismatched glasses, pop a jug of tap water with lots of ice and lemon slices on the table, and let everyone help themselves.
If you’ve got a bottle of something fizzy in the fridge, even better, but it’s absolutely not essential. It’s simply refreshment and chatter with friends on a warm evening, not a glamorous drinks reception. A little table accent can make the whole thing feel a bit “more”; a few candles and a jam jar of flowers from the garden add a pop of colour without costing much.
Homemade Iced Tea
This is officially “The Easiest Summer Drink Ever” and it’s great for parties. If you’ve never made iced tea before, prepare to feel like a domestic goddess with almost no effort at all – it just takes a bit of forward planning to give the tea time to cool. It’s genuinely one of the cheapest summery drinks you can serve, and people always think you’ve gone above and beyond.
All you need is:
- A couple of tea bags
- A spoonful of sugar or honey
- A jug
- Ice
Brew the tea strong, sweeten it a little, let it cool, then add cold water and ice. You can use flavoured tea if you already have it in your cupboard – I love a fruity iced tea. Plus, if you’ve got mint growing in the garden or a lonely lemon rolling around in the fruit bowl, pop that in too.
It’s refreshing, summery, and only costs pennies to make a huge batch. I’ve previously shared a fruity punch recipe too, so have a try of that one as well.
Simple Sharing Platters
Sharing platters are my go-to hosting trick because they look impressive but require almost zero effort. Plus, they’re perfect for a budget-friendly gathering – you can stretch ingredients further and let everyone nibble at their own pace.
- A platter of chopped seasonal fruit always feels summery and costs very little, especially if you choose whatever’s on offer at the supermarket.
- A loaf of crusty bread or a low-cost baguette sliced into chunks instantly becomes a “rustic sharing board” when paired with oils and vinegars from your pantry or homemade dips – like a tin of chickpeas blended into hummus or whole grain mustard mixed with mayo and lemon. I’ve previously shared 3 party recipes you can make with a tin of chickpeas, so be sure to check that out for inspiration.
- Crisps served in something other than the packet feel like you’ve made an effort. Just a breakfast bowl or a deep plate makes all the difference to presenting your nibbles.
- Cheese odds-and-ends from the fridge can be transformed into a mini cheeseboard with a handful of grapes or a sliced apple.
- Low-cost veggies become crunchy crudités when arranged nicely – have you seen just how cheap supermarket carrots are these days?? I’ve got tomatoes growing in my garden so these will be added, alongside sliced cucumber and celery for a healthy snack option.
The beauty of sharing platters is that they’re unfussy, sociable, and you can include anything you already have – nuts, packets of pretzels, cookies etc. Plus, they save you from the panic of trying to cook a full meal or sweating over a BBQ when you’d rather be chatting with your friends.
Hosting Friends Overnight
Having friends to stay can feel like a big deal, but it doesn’t need to be. I personally love having visitors stay over, even at the last minute, because I enjoy looking after them – and keeping the summer evening going with board games or late-night chats back in the house. You don’t need hotel-level amenities to host friends – just a few thoughtful touches that make your guests feel welcome.
Fresh bedding is a must, of course, but beyond that, I like to add one or two tiny extras: a stack of clean towels, a book I’ve just finished on the bedside table for them to borrow, maybe a spare phone charger if you’ve got one. The key is making sure your guests have everything they need within reach so they don’t have to rummage around in the dark.
And if you want to make the guest room feel extra special, a small vase of flowers works wonders. Even a simple bunch ordered through a next day delivery flowers service can make the guest room smell lovely and your guests will feel loved. They’re the perfect last-minute touch that makes your home feel fresh and welcoming, even if you’ve spent the day doing anything but tidying!
If you don’t have a guest room, don’t worry – a sofa bed, an air mattress, or even a comfy sofa with a duvet can be perfectly lovely. I’m also happy to give my guests my bed, which already has a hotel-inspired decor and take the living room daybeds myself. It’s like camping out but within my own home, and it makes me feel like I’m having a bit of a holiday too!
I hope my blog post inspires you to host your friends and family at home this August. You don’t need a big budget to make your loved ones feel welcome, just a jug of iced tea! If you try any of these ideas or have any more thrifty suggestions for summer entertaining at home, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. 🙂
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