Holiday parties and events are a great way to bring your family and friends together during the holiday season. But let’s face it – holiday parties can get very expensive, very quickly.
Fortunately, you can still throw a memorable holiday party without severely overspending. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Invite a Friend to Co-Host
You don’t have to host alone – share the experience, the effort, and some of the costs with a near-and-dear friend.
While you may think no one wants to volunteer to co-host, you might be surprised at the reaction. Plenty of people want to host events, but don’t have the space or the money to do it alone. By asking them to co-host a holiday party with you, you can give them the opportunity to act as host, but with shared responsibility.
Get Creative With the Food
Who says you have to have traditional holiday foods? Not only are traditional holiday meals, such as duck or roast beef expensive, but they take a long time to cook just right. Why not save yourself some money (and hassle) by getting creative with your holiday menu?
Meals such as pasta, tacos, or homemade pizzas are easy, fun, and affordable. Plus, they are easily customizable, so each guest can create their own version of the perfect meal. And as an added plus, meals like these are easy to batch cook, so you don’t have to spend the whole two days prior to your party cooking away in the kitchen.
You can check out Pinterest for a variety of themed holiday party cuisine ideas and recipes. Or, you can always consider making it a potluck style party, so everyone contributes to the meal.
Keep It Simple
It’s so easy to get too far invested in the party-planning process. Don’t get too caught up in the process. Once you set your budget, check in often to ensure you are actually sticking to it.
Rethink Decor
You don’t have to spend a fortune at a craft store for the newest holiday decor. Get creative with how you decorate, and you may be amazed at how affordably you can do it.
For an easy and affordable decor suggestion, try mixing-and-matching furnishings to create a cozy, whimsical feel. If you don’t already have dishes and china, you can purchase a hodge podge of individual pieces from any antique store for cheap. Or, if you prefer a more formal feel, scour thrift stores for old holiday decorations of any kind. To modernize them, spray paint them gold to create a formal, holiday feel.
Plan a Party Activity
No need to pay for pricey DJs or bands to provide holiday party entertainment. To entertain guests, plan a few party activities throughout the evening. Games, mixers, and homemade photo booths are all easy and affordable ways to ensure your guests interact and have a fun evening.
Borrow From Friends and Family
Need something you don’t have in stock? Before you out and purchase something brand new, ask around to see if someone you know is willing to lend it to you.
Not only does borrowing save you money, but it prevents you from having to store things you may only use once or twice.
Ask around to see if you can borrow decor, dishes, or games. But don’t forget to consider any extra large mixing bowls, sound systems, or other less-obvious supplies you could borrow.
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lovely tips I’m completely agree!!!
Thanks, Giulia.