It's possible: Host a holiday party on a budget
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src="http://a323.yahoofs.com/phugc/k7agdLR8nSRW/photos/2e1a801a81c66a34165ff8280a7621e6/mr_6b25cdb98d32d4.jpg?ug_____Dz1YH5qB9"
align="left" width="266" height="400">One of the best things
about the holidays is finding the time to gather friends together
for a dinner party, to create one special night apart from the
craziness at work, in the stores, on the roads. This year, finding
the time is equally matched with finding the money for an added
extravagance of throwing a candlelit dinner for friends.
<br><br>Just as we're finding ways to cut back
in our day-to-day expenses when possible, it is possible to have a
lovely dinner party on a budget. All you need is a lot of planning
and a little creativity. I've rounded up some good tips
found around the Web during this money-tight season in hopes they
can inspire your own affordable
gathering.<br><br><ul> <li><a
rel="nofollow"
href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/fashion/30Monn.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=winter%20wonderland%20dinner%20&st=cse">The
New York Times' Alex Williams works with David
Monn</a>, a well-known, in-demand New York event planner, to
plan a party for $30 a person. For decorations: $12.99 quilting
batting for a tablecloth, and a 50 pages of white copy paper to
make snowflakes to dangle from the ceiling. The menu, while
yummy-sounding, is heavy on cream and fats and there is no meat,
fish or salad in sight. So that's a little distressing.
Still the end result is that you can create a "winter
wonderland" for one night for less than you
think.</li> <li><a rel="nofollow"
href="http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/host-a-dessert-buffet-322625/">Host
a dessert buffet</a> -- You can keep things extra simple with
this Real Simple idea of hosting a dessert buffet party instead of
a dinner party. Focusing on one part of a meal is a great way to
make it really special while keeping costs down.</li>
<li><a rel="nofollow"
href="http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/2007/11/entertain.html">Share
the load </a>-- You can rein in costs by sharing hosting and
budget duties with a friend, as Kiplinger suggests. Think, too,
about having an open house, which puts the emphasis on hors
d'oeuvres and allows you to invite more guests throughout a
longer party than a dinner party with courses and table settings.
And, if there were ever a year that people would be more than happy
to bring a dish, go the pot-luck route. The whole point of a
holiday party is to bring people together, and friends will be more
than happy to share in providing the night's edible
offerings.</li> <li><a rel="nofollow"
href="http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/pf/20051202a2.asp">Keep
the menu in season</a> -- When planning what to
make for a dinner party, go with in-season foods and other items
that are often on sale around the holidays. Bankrate recommends
that you check what's on sale first before planning your
menu. And, don't feel the need to have a full bar for the
evening. Choose one or two good wines to offer throughout the
evening, along with mulled cider and lots of pitchers of
water.</li> </ul> <strong>Are you planning a
holiday gathering with an extra eye on your budget this year? Let
us know how you are keeping the spirits high while keeping the
money outflow low.</strong><br>
Related: holiday entertaining, dinner parties, budget
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Posted by springtime Sun Dec 7, 2008 2:04pm PST
This is a great idea. Some friends opted to forgo all the prep for a Thanksgiving dinner. Instead they had a dessert buffet and invited a few friends and neighbors. It was great!! The centerpiece was the most beautifully decorated coconut cake.. made by the hostess' mom, who got it from Taste of Home magazine. Surrounding the cake were assorted cookies and pastries and tea lights. Drinks were water, wine, coffee, and hot cider. Everyone went home with a small goody bag with chocolate turkeys.
The hostess admitted she made some of the desserts but bought the others. She still had good reason to use her grandmother's beautiful table cloth... where countless holiday meals were enjoyed over the years.
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Posted by Jo Wed Dec 10, 2008 12:23pm PST
That is a great idea. I am hosting a New Years party this year and now that I have read this article I may have everyone bring a desert for the party instead of having hors d'oeuvres which can be quite costly.
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