Money expert urges party hosts to save cash by asking guests to bring one thing
The Bank Holiday weekend is just around the corner and several people will be opening up their homes to host friends and family to make the most of the spring break. And while the idea is a noble one — it can also be an expensive one.
Hosting people at your house can be a costly affair. There's food, drinks, décor, and entertainment to take care of and all of it comes at a price. But what if there was a way to be the host with the most, without emptying your pockets on the soirée? Enter: bring your own board parties.
It's like 'bring your own booze', but exponentially more creative. Because at the end of the day, it's not necessary to spend all of your hard-earned money, just so you can impress the crowd.
What's more? Experts agree. Bola Sol, resident money expert at Nationwide, says: 'Hosting is about connection. It's about creating space for joy. It's not about impressing people at your own expense. So this Bank Holiday, if you're opening up your home, remember this - you can lead with love without emptying your pockets; prep with intention; set expectations with confidence, and know that true connection doesn't come with a price tag.'
Bring Your Own Board parties are rising in popularity, with more people wanting to contribute and help out so the host doesn't feel overwhelmed. The trend has even gripped social media, with videos of 'bring your own board night' going viral on multiple social media platforms.
The concept is essentially a twist on the traditional potluck — except everything is served on trendy boards, trays or platters. Combining creativity and fun, guests are able to enjoy a diverse array of foods without the host having spent the entire day toiling over the stove.
Endorsing the concept, Bola adds: 'A tip that's gaining popularity (and rightly so) is asking everyone to contribute. We're in the era of 'bring your own board' parties. Everyone brings something to the table, whether it's a cheese board, fruit platter or their signature dessert.'
The money expert feels that most guests want to contribute but need some direction, as she adds: 'Not only does it make things easier for the host, it adds a little fun and creativity to the gathering. If boards aren't your thing, it's okay to simply ask people to bring drinks or an extra side dish. Most people want to contribute; they just need a little direction.'
While the most popular kind of board is, of course, the charcuterie board, as a guest, there are several other creative directions you can take your board in.
9 creative BYOB ideas to try
Sushi board: Sushi rolls, sashimi, pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce.
Fruit board: Berries, grapes, pineapple, kiwi, apples, watermelon with feta cheese.
Breakfast board: Pancakes, waffles, fruit, syrups.
Dessert board: Cookies, chocolates, fruits, candies.
Taco board: Tortillas, fillings like seasoned meats or beans, toppings like cheese, lettuce, salsa, and guacamole.
Vegan board: Plant-based dips, veggies, nuts, and crackers.
Mediterranean mezze board: Hummus, pita bread, falafel, olives, tzatziki, grape leaves, and kebabs.
Movie snack board: Popcorn, candy, pretzels, and drinks.
Charcuterie board: Meats, cheeses, crackers, and olives.
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The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
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3 days ago
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Scotsman
3 days ago
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Leeds Festival 2025: Full set times for Main Stage and Chevron stage revealed
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. The festival has also given an update on tickets ahead of the August Bank Holiday event Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Leeds Festival has revealed the official set times for the main and Chevron stages ahead of next month's event. The festival has also announced an update on tickets - and as one day sells out. Here's everything you need to know ahead of this year's blockbuster event at Bramham Park. With little over a month to go, Leeds Festival organisers have revealed the first wave of set times ahead of this year's event at Bramham Park, taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend. After some speculation over the past few months regarding who would headline the Hozier/Chappell Roan day, the Irish performer will close out the main stage, with Roan performing shortly before his set. Meanwhile, Friday's main stage action features a back-to-back-to-back series of hip-hop sets as Travis Scott headlines, followed by D-Block Europe shortly before and Trippie Redd preceding the pair of acts. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Chappell Roan will be among the headliners at this year's Leeds Festival. Over at the Chevron Stage, AJ Tracey, Becky Hill, and Sammy Virji are all set to headline the area, with organisers looking like they have timed this year's event so that there are no clashes between the headline sets across either stage. For example, AJ Tracey's performance on the Chevron Stage concludes at 21:40, with Hozier set to perform on the main stage shortly afterwards. As always, things can (and do) change, so for the most up-to-date set times in the event of an eleventh-hour change, it is strongly recommended to download the official Leeds Festival app, available on both Android and iOS from today. The organisers have also given an update on the current ticketing situation across both the Leeds and Reading sites, too. While there are still tickets available for the festival, those heading to the Reading iteration of the event will have to contend with only two-day ticket options now, as Friday's event has completely sold out. Meanwhile, demand for the new campsite areas this year – The Fields, The Garden, The Meadow, The Glitterball Grove, and The Valley – continues to be overwhelming. So, essentially – don't leave it too late. Here's your set times for Leeds Festival 2025. Leeds Festival 2025 - full list of set times for the Main and Chevron Stages Friday August 22 2025 Main Stage Travis Scott: 9:50PM - 11:20PM D-Block Europe: 8:05PM - 9:05PM Trippie Redd: 6:45PM - 7:30PM Amyl and The Sniffers: 5:30PM - 6:15PM Suki Waterhouse: 4:20PM - 5:05PM Sea Girls: 3:25PM - 3:55PM Waterparks: 2:30PM - 3:00PM Songer: 1:40PM - 2:10PM Demae: 12:50PM - 1:20PM Chevron Stage Sammy Virji: 8:40PM - 9:40PM DJ EZ: 7:00PM - 8:00PM Lancey Foux: 5:45PM - 6:30PM Girls Don't Sync: 4:30PM - 5:15PM Leigh-Anne: 3:20PM - 4:05PM Del Water Gap: 2:25PM - 2:55PM Late Night Drive Home: 1:35PM - 2:05PM Lyvia: 12:00PM - 12:30PM Saturday August 23 2025 Main Stage Hozier: 9:40PM - 11:20PM Chappell Roan: 7:10PM - 8:40PM The Kooks: 5:20PM - 6:10PM Wallows: 4:10PM - 4:50PM Bloc Party: 2:45PM - 3:45PM The Royston Club: 1:45PM - 2:20PM Alessi Rose: 12:50PM - 1:23PM Red Rum Club: 12:00PM - 12:30PM Chevron Stage AJ Tracey: 8:40PM - 9:40PM Rudim3ntal: 6:10PM - 7:10PM Soft Play: 4:55PM - 5:40PM Still Woozy: 3:50PM - 4:35PM Nemzzz: 2:45PM - 3:25PM Badger: 1:50PM - 2:25PM Charlotte Plank: 1:00PM - 1:30PM Good Health Good Wealth: 12:25PM - 12:55PM Sunday August 24 2025 Main Stage Bring Me The Horizon: 9:50PM - 11:20PM Limp Bizkit: 7:55PM - 8:55PM Enter Shikari: 6:30PM - 7:20PM Conan Gray: 5:10PM - 6:00PM Royel Otis: 3:55PM - 4:40PM Good Neighbours: 2:45PM - 3:30PM Alessi Rose: 1:45PM - 2:20PM Lambrini Girls: 12:50PM - 1:20PM Viola: 12:00PM - 12:30PM Chevron Stage Becky Hill: 8:50PM - 9:50PM Jazzy: 7:35PM - 8:15PM Wunderhorse: 6:35PM - 19:20PM Bakar: 5:30PM - 6:10PM Pale Waves: 4:25PM - 5:05PM Example: 3:05PM - 4:05PM Pozer: 2:15PM - 2:45PM Issey Cross: 1:30PM - 2:00PM Blanco: 12:45PM - 1:15PM James and The Cold Gun: 12:00PM - 12:30PM Where can I pick up tickets to Leeds Festival before it's too late? Tickets for Leeds Festival, including camping and day passes, are still available from Ticketmaster UK, with options including camping in one of the brand new areas available in 2025. Are you happy so far with the set times for this year's Leeds Festival? Let us know your thoughts on the set times and scheduling so far by leaving a comment down below.
