Why not bring the makings for bruschetta? - Baguette - Fresh basil - Couple of tomatoes - Garlic - Small bottle of olive oil Slice the bread, put on a cookie sheet and toast it in the oven. In the meantime, chop the tomatoes and basil and mince the garlic. When the bread is toasted, put a spoonful of the bruschetta mixture on each slice and drizzle a wee bit of olive oil over it. Another one (an oldie but goodie) is fondue. You can buy packs of fondue cheese in just about any market and basic fondue pots are inexpensive. Buy a baguette, cut it up into large cubes and place in a bowl. Cut up a couple of apples as well. Heat up the cheese in the fondue pot and have everyone dip the bread and apples into the fondue.

How about ratatouille? Cheap, a good substantial dish for vegetarians but also good on the side with most meat of fish. Try BBCgoodfood.com for recipes.

A couple of pieces of different cheeses, and a jar of olives. That's the pre-dinner nibbles AND the after-dinner cheese course sorted. Because you're so generous.

cook some mince and pasta,mix together in a bowl serve with garlic bread ,lovely jubbly p.s add a tin of chopped toms to give more flavour.

if your students buy huge pizzass with tons of toppings, loads of alcohol, nachos with melting cheese and chocolate!!

You could share a Chinese or Indian takeaway meal, choose a banquet option for lots of choices of dishes. Follow this by a chocolate fountain - borrow one rather than buy one or melt some chocolate in a bowl and dip in fruit, choc brownies or marshmallows. V Yummy!!