Use These Affordable Holiday Entertaining Tips This Season

If you’ve got a big family or a huge group of friends, the cost to entertain all of them over the holidays can really add up. These affordable holiday entertaining tips to save you money will make it easier to host quality time with your loved ones with less of a drain on your Christmas cash! 

Big-Batch Drinks 

Whether you’re making your signature cocktails or going for a more family-friendly hot chocolate option, making the drinks in a big batch will help you save some money while serving your guests! Punch, mixed drinks, and gourmet hot chocolate all taste delicious when you make them in large quantities and your guests will appreciate being able to get what they want when they want! Since you’re saving more money by making the drinks in bulk, you may even be able to afford to have different options for your guests! 

One-Bite Desserts Are Delish

Who even finishes a giant piece of cheesecake anyway? Bite-sized desserts are so much easier to handle, and your guests will love how sweet the little desserts look! Try out items like mini pies, cake pops, and brownie bites to give your guests a little something to satisfy their sweet tooth. You’ll be able to give you guests a variety of options, without a huge expense.

Ask Guests to Bring a Little Something 

You may be worried that your guests will think you’re cheap, but if they’re asking to bring something, take advantage of that! You don’t have to go all-out potluck, but don’t be afraid to give you guest ideas. Our favorites include bringing a favorite dessert or the drink they most enjoy having. Not only will it make them happy to contribute, but you won’t have the added expense.

Bonus: A delicious recipe can be a great icebreaker and may even be able to bridge the gap between your different friends and family groups! 

Stream Your Music 

In the past, holiday entertainers had to purchase new holiday to play all the yearly favorites during their parties. Streaming services now make playing Christmas music so much easier. You can choose to use free services like Pandora and Spotify or, if you already pay for a subscription, make your own playlist using Apple Music! There are so many options available that you can use to play holiday tunes for all your guests as they mingle (or jingle?) around your home! 

Go for Reusable 

Reduce your costs by avoiding the holiday paper products and simply using the plates and serving ware that you already have. Consider using the fabric napkins and your best China that barely gets used. Those paper products might be fun (and easier to clean up), but they can really add up over the holidays. So, while you might need to enlist some additional help with the dishes, this affordable holiday entertaining tip will save you a lot of money.

Hang onto Decor for New Year’s 

It’s not tacky to reuse gilded decor for your New Year’s party! Decorate your Christmas party with classic gold and silver and you’ll be able to reuse them a week later when you host the best New Year’s party! There are so many decor themes that can be used for both holidays. Even adding things like snowflakes to your holiday party decor makes it so easy to reuse them later on! 

Another great affordable holiday entertaining tip is saving your decorations for next year’s Christmas party! Decorations are often pretty sturdy and can last for more than one use!  

More Sides Than Mains

Main dishes, including many types of meat, are usually much more expensive than the sides that go with them. Consider purchasing less of your main dish and stocking up on sides and appetizers. Your guests won’t feel like they’re missing out on much since they’ll have plenty of side dishes to choose from, but you’ll also save some dough on the food you serve to them!  

Set the Mood 

The ambiance of a party is important. Aside from decor and music, you can entice your guests’ senses by making your home smell like the holidays. While you might choose to stock up on affordable candles that you can light before they arrive, it might be a better idea to consider a less expensive alternative. Add some cinnamon, oranges, and cloves to a bit of oil and simmer it on the stove for a few hours before your guests arrive. Your house will smell like Christmas for very little cost.

What are your money-saving holiday entertaining tips? Leave a comment below and let us know!