10 Genius Tips for Holiday Entertaining on a Budget

Yes, the old saying goes: the more the merrier; however, that’s not always the case when you’re on a budget. If you’re having a hard time keeping the guest list to a minimum, try inviting a specific group of people: just family, friends or coworkers. Keep it small and intimate and your wallet will thank you.

It’s easy to get carried away with holiday decorations. Wreaths, garlands and lights definitely add up. However, there are plenty of easy DIY decorations that will add festive cheer to your home. Wrapped presents or paper snowflakes are classic choices. Also, borrow from nature: pinecones or evergreen sprigs will bring holiday flair. Try these clever ways to decorate for the holidays under $30 (using dollar store finds).

Disposable serving ware – including plates, cutlery and cups – all cost money. Ditch the plastic or paper and opt for the real deal instead. Don’t worry if everything doesn’t match: it’ll add to your party’s charm. If you don’t have enough dishes to serve your guests, borrow some from a friend.

The bar may be one of your holiday party budget’s most expensive line items. To keep costs low, stick to serving one fun and festive drink. You can also make most of these drinks in advance, so you’ll have more time to socialize with your guests. Just remember to also serve alcohol-free options.

Instead of buying big bags of ice on the day of your party, freeze a few trays of your own in the week leading up to your holiday get-together. Bonus: you don’t have to carry those heavy bags of ice home from the store!

Another way to cut down on costs – and, quite frankly, the stress – of hosting a holiday party is to make it a potluck. That way, you can serve your famous shepherd’s pie but get the chance to eat your aunt’s nacho dip and your best friend’s gingerbread cookies. If you’re really keen on making all the food yourself, ask your guests to BYOB instead.

If you’re going to make some food yourself, scan your pantry and see what you can make with what you have on hand. Things like crackers, tuna and pasta can transform into some mouth-watering dishes. Plus: it’s a nice way to clean your cupboards before the New Year.

Meat can be pricey, so keeping your holiday party menu vegetarian can save you some coin. Whether you stick to snacks (cheese, bread and fruit) or have a full-on meal (think vegetarian lasagna or chickpea stew), going meatless is easy, affordable and delicious.

Another way to keep the menu budget-friendly is to stick to a theme. Something like desserts (such as these eggnog sandwich cookies, pictured above) or pizza will reduce the number of ingredients you need to buy. If you want to serve a meal, consider brunch. Breakfast food is often more affordable. It’ll also decrease the size of your cocktail menu.

There are plenty of free and budget-friendly things you can do at your party to keep it festive and fun. Depending on your guest list, you can plan to watch holiday movies, make festive crafts, decorate cookies or play games.