10 Tips for Budget-Friendly Entertaining this Holiday Season

Entertaining during the holidays is as much part of our culture as hanging stockings by the fireplace.  Just because times are tough and entertaining can be costly and a headache, doesn't mean we shouldn't take on the challenge of planning a gathering that fits comfortably into the budget.

1.  Create a budget before writing a list of who will be invited.  Once a budget is established, you can then see how many people can comfortably be invited.

2.  Share the duties of hosting with someone else.  Combine two events into one cuts costs as well as preparation time.  Perhaps everyone could bring a dish, for example.

3.  Opt for casual rather than formal entertaining.

4.  Scan the ads of local stores to find the best deals.  Buying sale items or bulk quantities (such as wine by the case) can help save a lot of money, provided the store is not too far away.

5.  Open the cupboard to see whay you already have on hand.  Maybe there's something there you can use and won't need to make so many additional purchases.

6.  Think seasonal when deciding what to include on the menu.  Items that are in season (e.g. apples and grapes during the fall) tend to be more cost efficient.

7.  Skip the meat and opt for entertainging vegetarian-style.  Vegetarian meals are usually cheaper and, as a bonus, generally healthier, too.

8.  Borrow supplies from family and friends.  This beats renting tables, linens and serving implements.

9.  Integrate food items and natural materials from the garden into centerpieces and decorations.  And if you have young ones around, think about decorating with children's artwork as part of the total design so they are involved in the project.

10.  If a plated meal is not possible, serve the buffet yourself (as opposed to a self-serve format).  This provides you with more control over portions.

Holiday entertaining doesn't need to break the budget in order to be fun and memorable.  Times like these just require one to be creative and motivated.  When your company arrives, everything will fall into place and you'll be able to enjoy your friends and family together.

Oh, by the way, if you have a friend or family member that is looking to buy or sell a home, I would be happy to talk with them!!  I'm never too busy for your referrals!!