6 Inexpensive Ideas for Entertaining this Holiday Season

6 Inexpensive Ideas for Entertaining During the Holidays

Planning a holiday party can be stressful and costly. It's quite possible that it could even put you in a financial bind.

• Do you throw a holiday party even if you do not have the money?
• Do you forgo the party even though you want to spend time with family and friends?

Here are a few holiday party ideas so you do not have to answer yes to either of those questions:

1. Throw a dessert party

   This is a take on the par-for-the-course potluck dinner, but much sweeter. Ask all of your guests to bring one of their favorite desserts. You can even make one or two of your favorite desserts also, although it's not necessary. Your responsibility is a nice pot of coffee and hot chocolate.
   You can choose to mix and mingle, rent a movie, or maybe you all can gift wrap together. If you have guys present, they may just go for the mixing and mingling. If you have cable, you can turn it to one of their nice music channels or use your MP3 for music.
   One more thing, when you invite your friends, ask them to bring a few copies of their dessert recipe to share.

2. Have a baking party

   This one is a little different then the dessert party because you get down and dirty.
   It's really fun. Pick a few different baked good recipes. Invite your friends and family members and ask each to bring an ingredient for baking - chocolate chips, sugar, sprinkles, flour, etc.
   Spend the evening in the kitchen with your friends. This evening is great with Christmas music from your favorite radio station while you bake together.

3. Host a holiday movie night

   This party is all about the feature presentation. Pick a classic holiday movie like Miracle on 34th Street or National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, order pizza, serve popcorn and candy, supply the drinks and watch the show.
   If your crowd includes children, pick one of the classic cartoons like A Charlie Brown Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas with a little popcorn so they will enjoy their movie night as the adults do the same.

4. Hold a crafty afternoon

   This one also works with the kids, so there's no need for a babysitter. You can invited them along. Pick a really neat, simple holiday craft. Choose from Tara's ornament crafts for preschoolers, crafty gifts, or simply decorate stockings. The important part is to spend time crafting with your friends and their children.

5. Host a holiday open house

   An open house will have a little more expense then all the other suggestions, but it is perfect if you have a good amount of friends and family.
   Invite your guests to drop by anytime they like during a certain time span. Have light appetizers and drinks available throughout the designated time frame. These appetizers and drinks can be whatever you like, pick a theme such as holiday classics or whatever you think of.
   This type of party allows you to host a large amount of people in a stress free way.

6. Or, a traditional potluck dinner

   This type of party will never go out of style, so it gets included in the list.

I hope these ideas offer creative and cost-effective holiday party options that allow you to enjoy the company of your loved ones without wrecking your budget.