Holiday entertaining on a shoestring.
The holidays are fast approaching and while shopping and gift giving make up a large portion of your budget (and your time), it is a time to reconnect with family and friends. Most people will either be invited to or will host a holiday bash. But how do you do that without breaking the bank, or your budget?
This year has generated many articles and blogs on this topic. Food prices have gone up, and let's face it, eating is just more expensive then it was a year ago. So at the risk of sounding like Martha Stewart (which I really am NOT), check out a few of these resources and try and save a bit of money this holiday season.
- Do menu planning based on grocery store sale flyers or other on-line sources, cooking in advance and freezing dishes. "How to keep your food bill low during the holidays"
- Trim down the drink and food options. Ask friends to bring a dish, or an inexpensive bottle of wine to share. "How to host the party and stick to the budget"
- Host away from home – many daily deal sites offer deals that involve restaurants or have the party catered, again using Groupon or other sites to shop for a deal. "Holiday Entertaining on a Budget"
- Borrow what you don't have or consider co-hosting a party. Check out Kiplinger's "Holiday Entertaining on a Budget" for 10 ideas for parties that can be done on a shoestring budget.
- Plan ahead – don't try to pull off a party at the last minute. Try to keep the mood casual and informal. "Holiday Party Planning: Pull Off a Swanky Seasonal Bash"
And perhaps a few books will help:
Happy Holidays!
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