How to throw a cheap and easy holiday party

You like to entertain, but you can’t afford to spend a fortune every time you invite people over for a party. Here is our guide to saving money on a party for Christmas or the New Year.

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Decorate with items from around the house and yard

If you (or an agreeable neighbor) have evergreen or juniper branches, laurel leaves, or even deciduous branches devoid of leaves, arrange them casually down the center of the table or in containers you already have, such as vases, canning jars, tall glasses, glass or pottery bowls. Look around for tchotchkes such as sea shells, assorted rocks or Christmas ornaments. Add candles or a string of holiday lights, especially if your party will continue after dark. Don’t overlook a simple bowl of fresh fruit or vegetables — try oranges, lemons, limes or apples, or even zucchini, red peppers and eggplant.

Buy reusable table cloths and napkins

They save money with each reuse. For the chic and frugal, you may repurpose a well-washed beach towel or a bed sheet. Another alternative is oilcloth, purchased from a local fabric store (about $6 per yard). Just wipe it down and use it over and over. Otherwise, buy inexpensive, washable fabric or table cloths (prints are the most forgiving because they won’t show stains) from stores like Walmart, Target or Ikea. If there is a kid’s table, cover it with butcher paper and provide containers of crayons.

Reusable cloth napkins also save you money. They average $1 to $4 apiece. To drive down the cost, check the dollar store (don’t overlook handkerchiefs), buy from linen service companies (which sometimes sell old napkins by the pound) and scour thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army. Don’t be afraid to go for a mismatched look. The DIY alternative is to purchase cotton, cotton/poly blend or washable linen from a fabric store, cut it in 10- or 12-inch squares (or oblongs), and serge or zigzag the edges on your sewing machine.

Use smaller plates

Photo: Deposit Photos

Paper plates are practical for large parties. Help keep food costs in line by using smaller plates (9-inch instead of 10-inch) to cut down on portion sizes. Americans tend to overeat, and we need all the help we can get. Don’t be afraid to ask your guests to bring a package of paper plates (or paper napkins). If you want to consider reusable plates, find mismatched, but cheap, plates at thrift stores and garage sales. Or look in the clearance aisle at stores such as Cost Plus World Market or Pier 1 Imports.

Label your cups

Plastic or paper cups are helpful, because glassware can easily break in a crowded outdoor setting. Consider a compostable or recyclable material to help save the environment. Keep party costs in line by providing permanent markers so that guests can label their cups and reuse them throughout the event.

Lay out the buffet table like a caterer

Put the plates and flatware at the beginning, immediately followed by the least expensive, filling foods first. Start with the starchy sides (potato, beans and rice), and then the vegetables and salads. Be sure to put the breads and rolls just before the meat, chicken or other expensive protein foods. Put the desserts last, unless you want to place them on a separate table or hold them back to put out later.

Photo: Deposit Photos

Skip the sodas and make pitchers of drinks

Instead of soft drinks, make a big batch of inexpensive iced tea or lemonade. Be sure to include a pitcher of ice water. If you are serving alcohol, try a pitcher of fruity sangria and don’t worry about using cheap wine; it won’t matter when it’s mixed with fruit juices. For New Year’s Eve, champagne is always on sale; just get a few cheap bottles and open them for everyone to have a toast (and a taste) at midnight.

Start planning for next year

If you plan to make this a recurring event, make a list of items you’d like to have next year and plan to shop sales throughout the year to find the best bargains on your party needs. Once Christmas has passed, stores clear out their stock with huge markdowns. Stick to solid colors. Red works great for winter and can also be part of a red, white and blue theme for the fourth of July.

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