Holiday Entertaining on A Budget

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Welcome to the first Fabulous Friday Link Party Blog Hop. The Fabulous Friday Link Party is a place for bloggers to link their best posts every Friday and potentially get featured the following week. The Link Party has now extended its presence to some bloggers who link up regularly.

Today the 6 Hosts and 6 Talented Bloggers are launching their 1st Fabulous Friday Blog Hop. Follow along to see all of the amazing Christmas Entertaining Inspiration. All the links to the Hosts and their Featured Blogger Friends are at the end of the blog.

Casual Holiday Entertaining

The part I love about casual holiday celebrations is the ease of the food prep and being comfortable and relaxed at your own event. It’s the most stress-free way to entertain.

When there is less fuss and you don’t have to get all dressed up, it’s just easier!

An easy way to have a good time during the holiday season is to plan ahead. Whether it’s a get-together with friends or a holiday tradition with family members, there are many inexpensive ways to have a great time on a limited budget.

For even more great tips you can read my four-part series Entertaining with Ease HERE.

Planning a Casual Holiday Event

• The first step is to set a Holiday Party Budget
• Pick a Date
• Pick a Party Theme
• Football Viewing Party
• Ice Skating Party
• Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
• Cookie Party Exchange
• Christmas Movie Night (Christmas Vacation, Home Alone)
• White Elephant Gift Exchange
• Support your local food pantry party
• Tree Decorating Party
• Virtual Holiday Party with out-of-town family and/or friends
• Put your guest list together and send out e-vites
• Plan your menu
• Keep your party food simple
• A Sandwich Bar & Chili
• Baked Potato Bar
• Large Charcuterie Board
• Cookies & Hot Chocolate
• Lasagna or Manicotti
• Pot-Luck
• Keep your drinks simple too
• Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water.
• If you want to have one signature drink, you can find my holiday cocktail ideas HERE and you can find affordable clean wines HERE.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’m a big fan of Aldi. Grocery shopping for most of your food at Aldi is a great way to save money.

Your money goes a long way at Aldi. When shopping for finger foods and charcuterie board items, you can’t beat their prices.

You also can’t go wrong with flowers from Trader Joe’s. While certainly not necessary, if you want some fresh flowers TJs is an inexpensive way to have them without breaking your holiday budget.

If you decide on a pot-luck type party, you provide the main course and then ask everyone attending to bring a dish. It’s Ok to assign things so that your menu works.

This is a fun way to get together with friends when you are on a limited budget. It’s also a way that you can serve full meals without absorbing all of the cost.

Other Party Saving Ideas

Your local dollar store can be a great source for so many things. I find paper plates, party favors, holiday decorations, and affordable wine glasses all at the Dollar Tree.

When it comes to holiday gift giving, for our extended family we have a time-honored tradition of a budget-friendly game of secret Santa.

Last Minute Details before the Party

• Keep your cleaning simple. Make sure everything is picked up and run a duster over surfaces. Use the Swiffer or vacuum to clean up the floors. Spot-clean your bathrooms and you are ready to go! People are there to have a good time, not to inspect your baseboards!
• Pick out a cute casual outfit that you can throw on before guests arrive.
• The key to easy entertaining is to be organized and prepared ahead of time!

Our Samsung Frame TV is going to be great for a casual holiday football party or holiday movie night.

With a little planning, you can have a fabulous party without going over your spending limit.

Thanks for visiting Living Large in a Small House. Don’t forget to visit the other amazing bloggers who are sharing their holiday entertaining ideas.

Peace and Love,

Lynn xoxo

If you’re looking for more Holiday Budget ideas you can find them HERE

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