So you may not be able to afford a trip around the world but you can certainly bring the flavor of other countries into your home. The whole family can get involved in shopping, preparing and cooking dinners from around the world.
Always wanted to go to France but can't afford it? Bring it into your home by setting up a little bistro in your house. Wish you could visit Mexico but it is just not in your future? Get the whole family involved in a Mexican fiesta. Love Italy but the cost to go there is not happening? An Italian night is one of the most affordable you can enjoy.
The key to celebrating another culture is to try to make it authentic. If you have children they can learn a lot and will enjoy the evening more if they research the culture and find simple things you can do to make the night more fun. They will be able to find recipes and other dishes that lend the flair to the evening.
Many supermarkets have a wide variety of foods from around the world, so you can stock up on things to eat and at an affordable price. You will also find some food items you may never had heard of, so this is a great time to try new things.
Setting the tone for the mood can be as simply as turning on some music that is typical of that country. Or finding a radio station that has that type of music. Then add some festive touches depending on what country you are visiting. You can add candles, colorful napkins, items from those areas, what ever suits your fancy.
A fun evening out is no fun if you have to spend most of your night in the kitchen cooking and cleaning so try to use tools that will make the job much easier and clean up a breeze. Some of the newer things on the market can take a lot of the work out of cooking and cleaning.
Having a night in another country can be a great learning experience for everyone in the family and it is a fun thing to do. So even if you can't afford to go to the country, bringing a little bit of it home with you will help make for a fun evening, a great learning opportunity for everyone and a chance to appreciate another culture!