Don’t get me wrong, I love parties and throw them often. Like many other large Mexican-American families, my relatives never wasted an opportunity to get their fiesta on. During my childhood it was rare for an entire month to go by without us all getting together to celebrate something, and yet I don’t remember anybody ever having to mortgage their home to pay for it. Today I use many of the money (and time) saving tricks I picked up from my family over the years and am always helping my friends throw parties for their kids and friends. I’ve learned the motto of “The Hostess with the Mostess” (it’s just like the Boy Scouts): Be Prepared. With just a little planning, you can save yourself loads of cash and stress. Here are some my best entertaining secrets—feel free to steal some or all!
