Planning a dinner party

Friends are really important when you're in secondary school and always making new acquaintances. Inviting pals over for dinner is an ideal way to gather and get to know one another better. For your teen, it's also a good opportunity to practice serving as host.

By arranging this kind of activity, teens learn to take responsibility for certain tasks and to enjoy preparing and serving food to others.

Before you suggest the idea to your child, determine:

• the maximum number of guests
• how much you can spend
• timing that won't disrupt the rest of the family

You'll need to establish clear boundaries as soon as you bring up the idea. The dollar limit for the dinner can be a topic for discussion. But the amount has to work with your budget and be reasonable for this type of activity.

Your child can also help pay for the meal with his or her own money. It's important to explain that choices will be necessary in order to stay within the available budget.

With your help, your teen can pick a menu, estimate how much it will cost and help you do the shopping.

1. Pick a menu

• To start, come up with several possible menus. Compare them and figure out what each will cost.
• Determine which alternative will let you stay within budget. For example, your child could make a meal that uses less expensive ingredients, invite fewer friends or ask guests to each bring a dish.

2. Make a grocery list

• List the foods and ingredients you'll need to buy.
• Calculate the quantities needed, depending on the number of guests.
• Check prices in store circulars or online, and jot them on the grocery list.
• Look for weekly specials. Your child will see that money spent on food makes up a large part of the family budget.
• If you find other ideal products and foods on special the week of the dinner, don't be afraid to tweak your menu.

3. Estimate the total cost of your purchases

• Estimate the total cost of the items on your grocery list.
• Remember that sales taxes will apply to some of them.
• Compare the total estimated cost to the budget you set. If the amount exceeds your budget, make changes or modify the menu, then add the numbers again.

4. Go shopping

• Identify the items you'll need.
• Be a smart shopper: Stick to your list and your budget, even if store prices aren't the same as those used in your estimate.
• Choose less expensive items when possible.
• As you shop, talk with your teen about quality, freshness and value. Share tips and tricks for making savvy choices at the grocery store.

5. Decide how to pay

Here are some pertinent questions you can ask your child before making a decision:

• What kind of payment options does the store offer?
• What are the advantages and drawbacks of each?
• What factors usually go into the shopper's decision when it comes to payment?
• Why choose one method of payment over another?

6. Check the store receipt

• Make sure you get a receipt and that it shows accurate information.
• It's a good idea to keep receipts for a certain amount of time, depending on the type of purchase.

7. Help your child rise to the occasion

Creating a warm, pleasant atmosphere for guests while you make sure the meal goes smoothly and you enjoy the company of friends is a challenge—but some good organization will help.

Welcome guests and ensure the meal goes well

• Preparing the meal: Your child can take charge of handling the prep, or work with you or some of the guests.
• Housekeeping: Your child doesn't have to do it all—it's okay to ask guests to pitch in by setting the table, clearing dirty dishes, etc.
• Serving the meal: In what order should the courses be prepared and served? Assigning tasks to some of the guests can help keep everything flowing smoothly.

And don't forget…

• Your child is the chef—but you can offer your help or serve as sous-chef!
• This is an ideal learning opportunity to help develop cooperative values like taking charge, personal and shared responsibility, and solidarity.

8. Reflect on the activity

Examples of questions to ask:

• Are you pleased with the purchases you made? Refer to the store receipt as you chat.
• Are you happy with the way the meal went?
• Did you stay within the budget?
• Were your estimated costs the same as your actual costs?
• Did you make good decisions at the grocery store (e.g., in terms of quality, quantity)?
• What would you have done differently if you had had more money? Less money?
• Did things go smoothly when it came to preparing and serving the food?
• Did you have a good time?