It's the time of year for parties with egg nog and mistletoe, Santa hats and Christmas cookies. It can get pretty expensive to host a party like that, but here are some tips for lowering costs, while still showing guests a great time.
Self-Promote
Get guests excited by coming up with clever themes and sending quirky invites. If you're mailing them the old-fashioned way, you can attach a sprig of holly to a simple white card, or affix a swizzle stick with a promise of good cocktails, says Erika Lenkert, author of
The Last-Minute Party Girl, a guide to practical entertaining.
If you're sending an Evite, don't be afraid to play with words, or include a fun quote. Be sure to send your invitations two to three weeks before your event, and clearly indicate a start and end time so party hoppers can plan ahead, as well as the type of bash you'll be hosting (cocktails, dinner, etc.).
Go Green
If eco-friendly is your thing, get a small potted tree that you can keep or plant in a garden later on. Trees that thrive in containers include Alberta Spruces and Nordmann Firs. Make sure the pot has a drain hole and is proportionate to the size of your tree, and that the potting mix has equal proportions of compost, shredded bark, leaf mold and sand. You can get the tree at your local nursery, or online at
Noblefir.com and other retailers.
Decorating the house can be done naturally, too, with real boughs of holly, ivy, mistletoe or even tree trims placed around a mantle or used to decorate a table centerpiece. For example, place tree trims in a pretty bowl along with pinecones, pomegranates and apples.
Paola Singer
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