Want to have a holiday party but you’re strapped for cash? I’ll show you how to have a great holiday party for less than $100.
1) Skip traditional decorations. We simply can’t afford them. Instead, decorate with color themes.
Parties are all about the visual.
If it’s a Christmas Party put all the red and green veggies together on a plate:
Red:
Tomatoes
Red Peppers
Serve a pesto or spin dip (green dips) with the red veggies.
Celery
Cucumbers
Green Peppers
Serve a ranch (put some salsa in it to make it a southwestern dip) with the green veggies.
You can still serve baby carrots and other veggies, but offer them up on another plate or bowl.
2) Fruit up your water. Soda is expensive, and very bad for you, so have a few different pitchers of water with fruit inside. For Red/Green, fill up a clear pitcher with water and put in mint, limes and strawberries. (Red and Green) Have a 2nd pitcher of cranberries in water, a third with with Blueberries and lychees (or pineapple) (or lemon). Make sure you prep this the night before or early in the day so you have plenty of time for the water to soak up the fruit
You can even make these alcoholic. Cucumber infused vodka is delicious and very in season.
3) Alcohol
Serve pre-made drinks.
Sangria can be made with boxed wine. I know you might shake your head, but with some fruit juice and flavored vodka, you’re golden. It will make lots of Sangria, and you can offer a red and a white option.
Cheaper Vodka made with mint and Cucumbers. Refreshing and delicious.
4) Buy a few items in bulk and serve a few ways each. Variety will get you everywhere.
Buy Pasta in bulk or bigger box.
Serve:
Baked Ziti (Marinara Sauce & Cheese)
Pasta Plain with 3 sauce options:
Marinara & Olive/Oil & Pesto & Alfredo (red, white, green)
Chicken:
Make Chicken strips (baked)
Buy dark meat vs. white meat.
Serve Wings… a party favorite
Serve Drumsticks…
Lettuce:
Make 2 different salads with lettuce
One with just garlic, lemon and oil
one with tomato
Bread:
Toast some with olive oil and salt/pepper and parm cheese
Use some bread on the table with oil dipping sauces.
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Limor is an on-air lifestyle and entertaining expert. She loves to share her favorite finds and recipes.