Entertaining for less during the holidays

Use the following tips to make sure that entertaining during the holidays doesn't cost a fortune.

The holidays are a time for entertaining.  There are holiday parties, open houses, and family coming to visit.  It does not have to cost a fortune, however, to entertain during the holidays.  Try these tips to save while entertaining during the holidays.

Food
Food can be a big expense when entertaining.  There are ways to save money on food so that it doesn’t end up breaking the bank.

• Make the food yourself.  You don’t have to have your party catered.  You can save lots of money on entertaining if you make the food yourself.  You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to do this, either.  Make it easier on yourself by only serving appetizers and desserts instead of a sit-down dinner.  That allows people to mingle while they eat and saves you money.
• Go potluck for your entertaining.  Depending on your guests, you can have everyone bring a dish.  Be sure to coordinate this, though.  If you plan to just have appetizers and desserts, you can have guests tell you which they are bringing to avoid having fifteen cakes.  If you plan a dinner, you do need to be more specific about what guests bring.  You probably want to make the main dish, and you can have others volunteer to bring specific items to complement that dish.
• Buy a party tray at the grocery store.  If you are so busy preparing for your entertaining that you do not want to worry about the food, try buying trays at the grocery store or wholesale club.  This will be much cheaper than having your party professionally catered and saves you some time and effort.

Drinks
The beverages can be the most expensive part of entertaining.  But with a little care, it is possible to save money.

• Serve beer and wine.  Beer and wine are much cheaper than the liquor for mixed drinks.  You can buy very reasonably priced wine or beer that your guests will enjoy.
• Manage the mixed drinks.  If you do choose to have mixed drinks, you need to manage it.  You can prepare the drinks yourself to control the amount of liquor going into them.  Or, stick with one drink – margaritas or sangria – and prepare a pitcher from which guests can serve themselves.
• Don’t forget non-alcoholic drinks.  You should have these on hand for any guests who prefer them or who are driving.  However, go beyond just a few sodas with a delicious punch.  Or, combine fruit juice and seltzer or tonic water for a surprisingly enjoyable drink.
• Have guests bring their own.  Another way to save money when entertaining is to have guests bring their own favorite beverage.  Either all of the drinks can be put together in a tub or ice chest and become available to all, or guests just stick with what they brought.

Decorations
Another expense of entertaining, especially holiday entertaining, can be the decorations.

• Keep it simple.  You want the focus to be on people, not busy decorations.
• Create ambiance with dimmed lighting, candles, and/or Christmas lights hung around doorframes.
• Use simple flower arrangements from your own yard.  Or, collect pine cones to create a centerpiece.
• Have background music set the mood.

Remember the purpose of entertaining is to enjoy the company of your friends.  Keep that as your focus, and avoid getting caught up in trying to impress your guests.  It’ll keep costs down and also make for a more enjoyable party.