Party Food Ideas on a Budget: Hot Dog Bar

Sometimes we all need some party food ideas on a budget. After all, we all love hosting parties but if there is a way to do it for less…..I am all about it! Actually that can just leave more budget for more parties. And that is a win-win! Today I am going to share some ideas for a hot dog bar along with a way to save money on your party expenses.

Party Food on a Budget: Free Hot Dog Bar Printables

So, the first way I have for you to save money with a party is by using free printables for decor and more. I have a set today in fact that is a picnic theme. This one is so perfect for any Labor Day celebration you might be planning. You can actually see how to use these printables in the video below.

Can’t watch the video or missed some of the steps? No problem! You can see how to use each printable further down in this post.

First, you will need either a pair of scissors or a paper cutter to cut out each of the printables. You will also want to print them on white card stock with a bit of weight to make sure they stand up during your party.

Then you will need to download the printable party pack. You can do that by signing up for our newsletter below. Instructions for download will be sent to your email once you sign up.

Once you get the email and click download you will have a zip file on your device. Unzip then print as many copies as you would like for free. Please remember that these are for personal use only.

How to Set Up a Budget-Friendly Hot Dog Bar

One of my favorite ways to serve food to a crowd on a budget is with a hot dog bar. Here is how I used the printables and a few party supplies to whip up one in the backyard.

Start with some fun plastic squeeze containers and add in your condiments. Be sure to use the wrappers to decorate them and indicate which is which.

Those same wrappers are changed up to decorate your water bottles as well.

Small containers hold all of the toppings and they are placed on a tiered tray.

Cut out the printable markers and fold them down the center to create fun tent cards.

Serve up the hot dogs in cute trays and any other food in festive containers as well.

One of my favorite inexpensive tricks is to use doilies on the table to corral like items.

Pulling Your Build-Your-Own Hot Dog Bar Together with Finishing Touches

Now that you have your party food ideas on a budget, it is time to pull this party together with a table setting. I used a checked table cloth with a burlap runner to set the scene for this rustic picnic theme.

Then use festive plates set on wood slices for a touch of rustic. Yes those napkin rings are actually the free printable strips we talked about above just wrapped around and secured with tape.

As for the centerpiece, a few more wood slices and some mason jars did the trick. Again I used those free printable gingham strips to decorate the jars along with some burlap ribbon. That BBQ banner was made in the video above from the free printables and I simply love it.

All in all, this looks like one fancy party! No one will ever know that you pulled this one off on a budget.