Fellow blogger Nathalie Jones, of Homeownerbliss, has contributed this instructive guest post - just in time for the holidays! Full of seasonal party advice and helpful links for how-tos, this will hopefully help you with your event planning or, as it did for me as I am presently feeling a bit Grinch-ish, put you in a seasonal party mood.
So you're in charge of throwing the annual holiday bash. Whether it's your first time or your 10th time, hosting a big holiday party is always a little stressful. One one hand, decorating and celebrating are tons of fun. But on the other hand, throwing a party is a lot of work — and it's expensive. When you follow these money-saving tips, you'll not only put on a great party, but you'll also get to enjoy the fruits of your labor without stressing over your budget.
Sending the Invites
Paper invites are a classy touch, but unless you're throwing a formal party, they're just not necessary. Stick to email invites for a more budget-friendly option. Today's e-vite options are way classier than e-vites of the past — just check out these five websites recommended by the Knot. If any old-fashioned guests give you trouble, just tell them you wanted to be a bit more eco-conscious with your invites this year.
Decorating Your Home
There's so much to fun to be had decorating for holiday parties. What other time of year can you shamelessly deck your house in sparkly tinsel and twinkling lights? However, buying all those decorations can get expensive, especially if you're replacing them every year.
For holiday party décor that makes an impression on your guests — not your wallet — buy quality decorations you can use for several years. You'll spend a little more up-front when you shop with a company that specializes in holiday décor, but you'll have well-made decorations that last for many seasons. However, you'll want to opt for traditional holiday decorations in a simple color scheme (no, that doesn't have to mean red and green!). Even if they're high-quality, trendy decorations are unlikely to feel fresh and relevant for more than a couple of years.
That's not to say you can't mix in trendy items! But if you want to infuse pop culture into your décor, you're better off buying something inexpensive that supplements your existing decorations rather than investing lots of cash into items you can't use twice.
Feeding Your Guests
If it's a more casual holiday party, ask guests to bring a dish. Potlucks are a great way to keep your food budget low and spare yourself from spending the afternoon slaving over a hot stove. You can also cut back on food costs significantly by throwing your party after-hours and sticking to hors-d'oeuvres and affordable finger foods.
Don't want to spend money on new tableware (or spend your night washing dishes)? Skip the plastic and shop for disposable tableware made of bamboo or palm leaves for an attractive option that's totally guilt-free.
Stocking the Holiday Bar
Alcohol can easily be the most expensive part of any party. You could throw a booze-free party or ask guests to BYOB, but let's be honest — seasonal cocktails are one of the best parts of any holiday party. To save money on drinks, choose one or two signature cocktails instead of stocking a full bar. Spiced wine and mulled cider are two crowd-pleasing drinks that are not only inexpensive to make, but they’re also easy to adapt for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions. You can find recipes for these and other classic holiday drinks at Saveur.
Throwing a holiday party should be a blast, not a burden. However, if you're worried about money the whole time, it'll be hard to enjoy yourself. Need more tips for saving money on your next holiday celebration? Check out these DIY decoration ideas from HGTV, these thrifty party gifts, or these budget-friendly appetizers! The possibilities are endless if you get creative.
Image via Unsplash