How to stretch your budget for great holiday entertaining

By Andrew Housser

It's the holiday season, and for most people, that means more entertaining during the coming month than during the entire rest of the year. Magazines can make it seem that no holiday is complete without a caterer and a table bulging with gourmet delicacies. But in fact, it is possible to have a wonderful, festive occasion with minimal impact on your budget. Here are some tips to add to the festivities without adding to your credit card debt.

1) Make a budget first

Anything that costs money should begin with a budget. First, decide how much you can spend. Then you can decide what kind of event to have and how many people you can invite. A breakfast can be cheaper than dinner; a cookie party costs less than a brunch.

2) Share the hosting duties

If you usually have a New Year's Eve party and your sister hosts a holiday gathering, join forces (and budgets) for one event. You can also reduce preparation and clean-up time -- and have fun together, too.

3) Borrow instead of buying or renting

Instead of renting linens or chairs or buying new items, make a list of supplies you need and friends or family if you could borrow.

4) Decorate creatively

Trim the evergreens and decorate with the fresh clippings, or use seasonal leaves, berries and branches. Supplement with a few inexpensive craft-store accessories if needed. For a family party, use children's artwork for placemats or tablecloths. Or use paper tablecloths and let guests doodle.

5) Try a menu challenge

Instead of purchasing special ingredients for every dish on your holiday menu, focus your efforts on one must-have item. Then host a potluck holiday meal. To make frugality a team effort, challenge each guest to spend just $5 or $10 on their contribution. You may be surprised at how creative (and good-tasting) the results are.

6) Emphasize simplicity

Instead of overdoing it with multiple events with family, focus attention on one big meal. Ask guests to bring their favorite festive dishes to supplement a main entrée such as turkey, ham or goose. Then create some new traditions with different, more casual fare for other meals. Try traditional black-eyed peas for New Year's, or a warming chili on Christmas Eve.

7) Host a charity party

If your guests are focused on helping others, they won't expect a fancy spread. Choose a theme that appeals to your crowd, whether it's a quilting party for a sewing group or a potluck where everyone brings a toy to donate to a children's organization.

8) Host a cookie swap or dessert buffet

A dessert buffet can be a fun way to indulge during the holidays. Offer a variety of desserts for every taste, from cookies to cake to fruit to cocktails. Guests can sample sweets along with good company. For a more casual afternoon, ask each person to bring a tin and a batch of cookies to trade, along with recipe cards for each cookie variety.

9) Make it all about fun

For families, couple or singles, it's hard to turn down a relaxing, fun afternoon. Step outside to make a snowman, a snow fort, have a snowball fight or go sledding. Live in a warm-weather climate? Go for a hike or bike ride, or walk on the beach. Indoors, set up card tables with board games, card games or simple games of chance. Serve snacks and a big pot of soup, and don't forget the hot cocoa.

Many people have taken a close look at their budget in the last two years. More than ever, your friends and family are likely to understand if you keep an event low-key. And with these ideas combined with your own unique approach to entertaining, you're likely to find that entertaining on a budget can be just as much fun -- and maybe more relaxing -- as ever.