Now there's a challenge for you!

[Raupe]

I've got a challenge on my hand and hope you can help me!

First a bit of background: On Friday DP and I will have reached a big milestone - we will have saved up exactly half of the house deposit!!! YAY! So I decided I will surprise him (he doesn't know how much we have saved so far ) with a "Halfway-There-Party" . It might sound silly to celebrate this, but after a year of saving, living almost exclusively on toasted cheese sandwiches and working 7 days a week, I think we deserve to PARTEY!
So I invited MIL, SIL and her fiancée. But of course SIL and her DF have cancelled, so it's gonna be a 'intimate' party of three (yay, not!). Great partey, hey? Three people . Anyway THAT IS NOT GONNA STOP ME

So here's the challenge:
As we are flat broke due to depositing nearly all our income into our savings account, I don't know what to cook for MIL that won't break the bank (I reckon I might be able to gather a measly $10 or $15 dollars). So what to make that is a bit nicer that Spag Bog or toasted sandwiches? I was hoping she'd offer to bring something over, as we ALWAYS bring something when we go over for a barbie at her place, but apparently she doesn't like to return the favour. Also, I would love it to go with the theme (halfway-there). Half a pie? Half a muffin? Hehe I need ideas! I want a main meal and a cake (or cupcakes). I do have baking-staples in the pantry, so I won't need to buy much for that.
Also, any ideas on decoration? I still have streamers and balloons in the cupboard, I think. What else could I do?
And lastly, how will I 'present' how much we have saved? Write in on a cake? In a card? Make up a big banner with the $$-figure and "We're halfway-there" written on it? Is it OTT? I also plan on playing "living on a prayer" by Bon Jovi (ahhh how cheesy am I?? )

Please ladies, inspire me!!!

I summarise your challenge:
1. What themed main meal to serve for three people under $15? (Recipes?)
2. What themed cake/cupcake to make? (Recipes?)
3. How to decorate?
4. How to present the $$$ figure?

[Raupe]

Anyone? Please Help!

[*star*]

just to let you know, you have me thinking, Raupe....

Will try to get back to you with something imaginative

[LimeSlice]

Hmm.. I would probably do an Indian theme...curry and condiments are very economical, and something interesting...
With regards he cake... A slab cake with large "bites" taken out of it on the side - so it looks like half is missing. Then you can write half way there on it...
Will be back tonight with more for you

[*star*]

OK - a thought for the cake....

Make a 20cm round buttercake and a 20cm round chocolate cake (or whatever flavours you like). Cut both in half and stack on top of one another and join the two halves in the middle, then write "half way there" on top.

Will think more about main meal...

[Nai]

The Indian idea is a good one - dahl is easy to make and so cheap, do some rice and pappadums to go with it. Otherwise some pumpkin soup, baked potatoes, a frittata or stir fry noodles are all quite economical.