Eating at home saves money. That is just a fact. I took my kids out to lunch at a family friendly restaurant for a treat, and with tip we spend half of our weekly food bill that feeds not only the kids and I but also my husband.
Since we don’t often eat out, I had forgotten how much it really costs to eat out these days. Still, the kids love to do it. In fact, eight times out of ten that would normally be their choice. Well, it was that way, before I started getting more purposeful about making eating at home fun.
Movie Night
Since eating anywhere but at the dining room table is usually a no-no, giving them the option of eating in the living room in front of the TV while watching a movie once in a while is more appealing to the kids than going out to eat. Because I’m grouchy about a dirty floor, I try to choose food that is fun but isn’t too messy to serve that night, such as homemade pizza.
Change the Atmosphere
Turn down the lights, use candles and real cloth napkins, play some soft music and make your dining room or kitchen seem as restaurant-like as possible. Sometimes just a little change in atmosphere can make all of the difference, turning a normal eating at home dinner into something fun.
Create a Fun Desert Experience
Instead of hauling out the same kind of desert as usually, create a fun desert experience, such as an ice cream bar where family members can choose their own toppings. Borrow a fondue pot for chocolate fondue (or melt the chocolate in a mini crockpot) and have fruit and pieces of cake for dipping. Make homemade ice cream in a baggie (search online for a number of recipes).