The holiday season is all about spreading joy and cheer, but that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank in order to throw an amazing party. Follow these tips for hosting a fun and budget-friendly holiday gathering.

Pare Down the Guest List

It can be tempting to invite everyone you know, especially if you want to include family members, friends from work, fitness instructors, your kids’ soccer coaches — the list goes on and on. But remember that the more guests you invite, the greater the expense. By cutting back on the number of people you welcome, you can save a significant amount while still enjoying an intimate gathering with those closest to you.

If you want to include that old co-worker, fitness instructor, or mailman, consider a potluck party or one where guests are encouraged to bring their own beverages (more on this later).

Get the Timing Right

You don’t have to throw an all-night affair with dinner and drinks provided. Eight at night or even later is acceptable for not serving a meal unless you state otherwise. By hosting your party during a non-eating time, many people will go out to eat just beforehand, and so won’t need a snack until later.

If you’d like to have a less boozy gathering that won’t last into the wee hours, a Sunday evening party is perfect. For a nearly booze-less gathering, host a cookie or tree-trimming party in the afternoon and serve warm cider and cookies.

Decorate Resourcefully

You don’t need to spend big bucks on fancy decorations. Instead, use what you have around the house. For example, you can turn your Christmas tree into a focal point and add some fairy lights for ambiance. You can also make a simple table centerpiece using pine cones or candles from the dollar store.

BYO All Sorts of Things

Asking guests to bring their own beverages, appetizers, desserts, or even games is a great way to save money. This also helps make your party more interactive and enjoyable for everyone involved. When asking people to contribute, specify if you’d prefer them to bring wine, cheese, cookies, a game, or something else entirely.

Feed Your Guests (Without Going Broke)

Instead of a fancy feast, offer simple snacks like crostini, homemade popcorn, and a variety of sliced veggies with hummus or dip. For the main dish, consider an easy yet satisfying option such as a cheese ball with crackers, which is cheaper than buying a pricey cheese platter.

Bread fills people up quickly, so put out a variety of crostini to nibble on. And a bowl of homemade popcorn is super cheap and always a hit.

Festive Drinking the Cheap Way

No party is complete without a few drinks in the mix. But you can save money by stretching your booze with mixers, like making an apple cider punch or mulled wine. These will look and taste festive while allowing for more modest use of alcohol.

If you’d like to offer proper cocktails, opt for prosecco instead of champagne. It has a similar festive feel but at a lower cost.

Free Entertainment

Don’t worry about booking a live band or hiring an entertainer when you can create your own fun with little to no cost. Find holiday playlists on online streaming or radio services and simply press play.

For background entertainment, put Christmas movies that you own or are free to stream on your TV. You could even have a crackling fireplace playing in the background.

Affordable Gifting

If you’d like to include a gifting element, an always fun and budget-friendly game of Secret Santa is an easy solution. Set a spending limit as low as you like and let people get creative. You can also send your guests home with gifts, but make them dual purpose: gift your party decorations (like ornaments) or pack each guest little gift bags with the cookies they brought.

What are your tips for an affordable holiday bash?

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