Simple steps make it easy to cut holiday party costs, still keep it fun

You don't have to go overboard

By Alyson Ward
McClatchy Newspapers

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Party planning has a way of getting out of hand. You decide to invite a few friends over, and the next thing you know, you've spent the month's food budget on six kinds of fancy olives.

Besides that, who has the money to throw an elaborate party these days? But good news: There are ways to cut corners when you're entertaining, smart ways to organize a party that doesn't blow your budget. We talked to Diane Johnson, the owner of Details by Design, an event-planning, advertising and marketing firm in Fort Worth, Texas.

And we checked in with Kate Parker, a home editor for Real Simple magazine. Both offered suggestions for paring down the cost of a party — without paring down the fun. Here are some of their tips.

DON'T GO OVERBOARD WITH DECORATING

You do not need to cover every inch of the house with garland and glitter. Instead, use what you already have in the house, Johnson suggests. Got candles? Set out your votives and a few floating candles, then don't worry. Hang a few simple ornaments on the staircase or from the mantel; they'll supply a pop of festive color here and there. Pretty flower arrangements can kill your budget. Replace those flowers with bowls of colorful, seasonal fruit, Parker says. Or if you must have flowers, buy cheaper bundles from the grocery store and rearrange them, putting smaller bunches of like-colored blooms in small vases. And don't forget about the decorations you can find in your own back yard. If you have pine cones, you can arrange small groups of them on the mantel or the table. Spray-paint them gold or silver or simply leave them natural. And if you can find some branches, you can arrange them artfully in a tall glass vase.

KEEP THE MENU SIMPLE

When you're planning what to serve, "don't just buy lots of different things," Johnson says. Variety does not make the party — and it's easy to lose track of how much is too much. Keep the menu simple and focused; don't try too hard. Streamline: Opt for a Mexican theme and build a simple nachos bar, or go Italian and let guests sample pastas.

Avoid the prepackaged veggie trays and packaged appetizers that can add up. Instead, consider what you can do with inexpensive ingredients.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO HOST A FANCY DINNER PARTY

In fact, you don't even have to serve dinner — there are lots of simpler (and less expensive) options. Your guests will still have fun and you won't be overwhelmed. Consider these:

Dessert party: Invite guests over later in the evening. Offer coffee, maybe wine, and a few desserts. The evening could not be simpler.

Holiday cookie swap: Ask your guests to bring a supply of their favorite homemade cookies and copies of the recipe. Your friends meet, eat, laugh and go home with a mixed batch of cookies.

Champagne brunch: Open up a few bottles of champagne, prepare some light brunch noshes, and you're set for a fun Saturday morning with friends.

Afternoon open house: Lay out some snacks, play holiday music and invite guests to drop by while they're out shopping. Serve hot apple cider. Keep things simple and let guests come and go.

A FULL BAR IS NOT REQUIRED

Of course you want to offer your guests something to drink. But if you're serving alcohol, it's easy to go overboard and stock your bar with a bottle of everything. Clearly, this is not a way to entertain on the cheap. Instead of offering everything, keep the drink options simple. Come up with a signature drink for the party — peppermint martinis, maybe, or a holiday sangria or punch — and stock up on a handful of ingredients. Or skip the liquor altogether and serve wine.

GO AHEAD — ASK GUESTS TO BRING SOMETHING

There's no need to have a formal party. A potluck, whether it's dinner or a table of snacks, is just as fun, so feel free to ask guests to bring a dish.

There's just one rule, Johnson says: Be specific. Guests don't like to worry about whether their contribution will be appropriate. So pick a theme — plan a menu of just appetizers, maybe, and ask guests to bring their favorite. Or offer general guidelines: Ask guests to bring a salty snack, for instance, or a sweet dessert. If you let your friends contribute, it saves more than money: It also gives you permission to relax and enjoy the company, Parker says.