How to Host a Frugal and Festive Holiday Party

You can shop the dollar store and send virtual invites. 

Holiday parties don't need to strain your budget.

By Jon Lal

During the holiday season, everyone strives for perfection: Find the best gift, cut down the prettiest tree, and of course, host the holiday party that everyone will still be talking about next year. When you feel pressure to be the ultimate host or hostess, the easiest solution seems to be spending more money on your event. But that isn’t the case! You can have a memorable holiday party on a budgetthat will still delight all your guests. Here are four tips to help you do just that:

Skip snail mail: To spread the word of your holiday gathering, skip the cost of mailed invitations and opt for something virtual instead. Send an email invitation or create a Facebook group and add a few fun, festive images or snapshots from last year’s party. As long as it has all the important details, a virtual invitation works just as well. It has the added bonus of building anticipation for the event, as attendees might chat and share ideas online in advance.

Serve up a smart dish: Often the most important part of any get together is the food and drinks. If your event occurs during a meal time, providing a main course for your guests is expected. During the winter, a heartier meat is typically served, but that doesn’t mean you have to splurge on prime rib. Choose a less expensive cut of meat like pork shoulder, short ribs or beef chuck.

If you prefer poultry, chicken thighs are cheaper and actually have a lot more flavor. Find a recipe for your crock pot. This way, the meat can cook slowly all day while you’re preparing for your event and it will soak up tons of flavor. Don’t forget to check your favorite coupon website for circulars from your local grocery store, and take advantage of sales. For any fruits or vegetables cooked with your meal, try to stay in season – they will be fresher and more affordable.

For the rest of your menu, don’t be afraid to ask your guests for help. Most people don’t like arriving empty-handed and will ask what they can bring as soon as they receive your invitation. Assign an item to each guest (though make sure it’s not crucial to the menu, in case they don’t show up), such as appetizers, beverages and dessert items. This is also a great way to break the ice at your party, and will provide conversation starters for your friends or family that doesn’t know each other yet.

Lastly, instead of providing individual drinks or cocktails, mix together one delicious holiday punch and make a lot of it. It is a much less expensive option.

Less is more for décor: It’s easy to get caught up in every small detail as you get ready to host a house full of people. For a holiday party, it makes a nice impression to have a few seasonal touches, but don’t get swept up in the moment and think you need to cover every surface with something festive. Focus on a few key areas, like the area with your Christmas tree or menorah, and then the other places where your guests are likely to gather, such as the entryway, kitchen or dining room.

Holiday décor can be very expensive, especially if you buy it in peak season instead of waiting for thediscount sales afterwards. Dig into your closets for a few vases, and fill them with items you already have, such as a few snipped off branches from the bottom of your Christmas tree, or leftover ornaments.

Head to the dollar store for any other decorations you might need. You can find ribbons and strings of lights for cheap, and these are often the only simple touches you will need to make your house feel warm and festive. Having any children at your party? Grab a few toys as well for the kids to play with.

Stress less: The most important thing about your event is that your guests have fun. Chances are they won’t take into account the small details, so you shouldn’t stress over them either. Enjoy yourself and make it a holiday to remember!