Christmas is fast approaching and if you’re hosting people this festive season, it’s important to get planning now. Not only do you need to factor in the time it takes to get everything ready, but also the cost. Hosting friends and family can be expensive, but with a bit of creativity and smart planning, you can create a great experience without overspending! In this article, we explore a few ways you can do this with ease and enjoy the festive season as much as possible. Keep on reading to get inspired!
1. Plan Ahead
As with anything, planning is key. You should come up with a budget that is specifically for hosting, where you write down all the things you’ll need to spend money on. This could be food, decor, drink and anything else you might need. If you’re going to be hosting people overnight, you should consider what you might need for the guest room. If you need to invest in a new place for guests to sleep, check out black Friday deals for a small double bed. By planning ahead of time for this, you can not only get organized, but also receive the best price.
2. DIY Decorations
Decorating your home for Christmas doesn’t need to be a huge expense. Instead of investing in pricey decor, use natural elements and make your own. You can get items such as pinecones, branches or dried citrus slices to create garlands or a wreath. If you have old Christmas ornaments, these can be repurposed and you can also use craft kits or tutorials to see what you can create with items you already have at home.
3. Affordable Meal Planning
Christmas is all about the food, but that doesn’t mean you need to make yourself broke in order to feed everyone. Instead, when you have a gathering, ask everyone to bring a dish and a drink to contribute. You can then feast buffet style which saves you spending all day in the kitchen and means you can all try something new as well. Drinks wise, you could also make up a large bowl of punch. This can be cheaper than buying lots of bottles of wine or fizz and can make a good amount of drinks too.
5. Simple Entertainment
Entertainment is another big part of hosting guests, yet don’t think you need to do anything extravagant to ensure everyone a good time. Why not host a movie night where you can play classic Christmas films and feast on popcorn and other sweet treats? You could play board games like Monopoly and take part in holiday trivia, charades and other fun games.
Hosting guests on a budget this Christmas doesn’t need to be overly expensive and you can enjoy spending time with your loved ones without stretching your budget. What are some top tips for hosting guests on a budget this Christmas you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below.
