How To Throw A $30 Dinner Party With Just Trader Joe's Items

For many, January isn't the most exciting month of the year. Neither is February for that matter. Yes, the post-holiday season seems to lack pizzazz and opportunities to make lasting memories are few. So, why not add some life to these winter doldrums with a celebration of your very own? 

Throwing your own winter dinner party is a great way to get friends and family together without having to focus on a predetermined holiday. Yes, this time you have complete control over choosing the theme, the foods, and the décor. Country Living suggests offering up a hot chocolate bar with delectable desserts and some alcoholic concoctions for the grown-ups, hosting a game night party with Scrabble tiles as place holders, or a classic fondue night. Intentional Hospitality suggests a "winter-esque" menu that serves up only white foods on black dishware. And remember, Christmas may have come and gone, but themes related to snow have not. 

But how do you throw a soirée without breaking the bank? After all, those holiday bills have made a serious dent in your bank account. Thankfully, you can create a magnificent menu and throw a dream dinner party on a limited budget. It just involves a little imagination and a visit to Trader Joe's.

Award show season is upon us, making this the ideal excuse to throw a party. Who doesn't long for a little red carpet-treatment, after all? Thanks to your friendly neighborhood Trader Joe's, you can give your guests some much-needed star treatment. 

Here's what you need to know before shopping at Trader Joe's for your Oscar, Grammy, or Golden Globe party. You'll need to begin by planning out your menu. If you think it's impossible to keep your budget under $30, here's an example befitting the Academy Awards. For starters, you can dish out some Ratatouille bites ($4.29) and Italian Tomato and Red Onion Focaccia ($3.99) to whet everyone's appetite. As the main dish, you may opt for Mandarin Orange Chicken ($4.99) over Organic White Quinoa ($3.99). Veggies are, of course, a requisite part of any dining experience. This is where the Lemony Arugula Basil Salad Kit for $3.99 comes in. To close off the meal, your guests are bound to enjoy the Mini Chocolate Mousse Desserts ($4.49). And no get-together would be complete without a splash of Love, Olivia Peach Wine for just $3.99. 

There you have it: a red carpet-worthy meal for just $29.73. 

If the notion of hosting a feast of winter whites appeals, a trek to Trader Joe's can help you achieve the look you're going for. Whether you opt for an all-white monochromatic palette, incorporate small splashes of silver or gold, or use a contrasting dinnerware hue, Trader Joe's has an impressive collection of foods in shades of white. 

Is it possible to pull off a scrumptious meal using Trader Joe's food items that have a snowy hue? It sure is. To start things off, you can serve the white-ish hors d'oeuvres Crispy Vegetable Pouches ($4.49) and Pastry Bites Feta Cheese and Caramelized Onions ($4.99). The entree will include Italian Farfalle ($.99) in a Black Truffle Alfredo Pasta Sauce, which is actually very white ($3.99) with a side Dill-icious Chopped Salad that is a whitish-green ($3.99). The star of the show will, of course, be dessert: A New York Deli Style Baked Cheesecake ($7.49). All of this will be accompanied by Love, Olivia Peach Wine at just $3.99. 

This wintry white dining experience will cost a mere $29.93.