In my small community there are many traditions including having enough food for people that visited around a meal time. It was important to feed them, so this was done by taking out a few more things than was needed for our family. If the meal was made and someone came, my mom would quietly cut the servings of meat, fish, chicken or pork in half and add water to the gravy or soup. We all loved most company, so it was OK with the family to share.
When friends would stop by to talk due to some trouble or upset that needed another persons input, mom would have tea and a snack put on the table, then sit and listen. These snacks were made at baking time once a week - 1/3 would be put away for company.
I still do this. I have a few things in the cupboard that are easy to put on a nice plate and serve.
By Carolyn from Chilliwack, BC
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If you have frequent visitors, keep a plain cheesecake or pound cake in the freezer to bring out for refreshments. We all have jams and jellies in the cabinet or refrigerator.
Call a local technical college. If they offer a culinary class, they may make a cake or other dessert for you for a nominal fee or for free as practice for their students.
Would you love to throw a party, but you don't have enough nice serving dishes? Well here are a couple of low cost ideas.