We're hosting a Christmas Eve party this year on a limited budget. Any ideas for decorations, games, food, etc? We've never hosted a formal party before and both of our families are coming together for this one! We have a small tree and decorations for it, but not much else at this point.
2006-10-31 11:38:03 · 9 answers · asked by Alyxxela 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
A sit down dinner is less expensive than a buffet. You can serve soup, a fancy pasta dish, salad and beautiful bread and if anyone ASKS if they can bring something let them do dessert because it can be purchased on the way to your house and the person won't have to be cooking to be a guest at your party. Pot luck is more for a church social or a BBQ...not for a formal party.
2006-10-31 16:34:56 · answer #1 · answered by DeborahDel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The key is "lights" put them every where they add such a glow and festive look and in most cases are very cheap to buy. Keep the food simple if you're not planning a full meal finger foods work well at holiday gatherings and you can even have guest bring their favorite. Now a days everyone wants to bring something to an event so don’t worry about feeling to cheap asking them. I am sure you tend to take things when you go somewhere as well. Games lately to me seem taboo… what you could do is play Chinese Christmas where you have everyone bring a gift set a price for it when they arrive and hand you the gift you give them a number on a slip of paper. Then you draw numbers and people get to pick a gift, IF someone has something that they really want they can take it from them and that person selects another gift. The key to success is you can only have something taken away from you three times after that it's yours to keep. It’s a fun event and everyone gets a lot of laughs out it. Try it I am sure it will be a great success and everyone gets to go home with a gift.
2006-11-01 03:05:40 · answer #2 · answered by Karen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only buy what you can afford as it's an expensive time of year.
As for decorations, the tree is fine....maybe have your Christmas cards out for other's to view? Do you have a closet door that you can tape them to? That's what I do as I live in an apartment too. Maybe you could buy a nice afghan or seasonal throw pillows for your sofa? Wal-Mart or Target has this really cheap. Have a nice candle or bowl of pine cones out. They smell wonderful and spicy!
Food...it's not unreasonable to ask for others to bring a dish to pass. You could, too, order deli meats and "make your own sandwhich" which is really reasonable to do. Or just have snacks, cookies, nuts, chocolates, etc. Or are they expecting you to prepare a meal??
Games...could do a google search for Christmas games. Or....just have some nice holiday music playing during your gathering. If I can, I suggest getting Martina McBride's Christmas CD....breathtaking!
2006-10-31 17:16:35 · answer #3 · answered by Mom of One in Wisconsin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have each person bring something to decorate the apartment with, set a cost limit.
Go for potluck, let people bring things, bring board games, do guessing games, get a book of turn of the century Christmas and try some of their games.
Christmas isn't about the decorations so don't let what you don't have set the tone
2006-10-31 11:44:38 · answer #4 · answered by Black Dragon 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I know a recipe for a simple pie you can make:
Million Dollar Pie
(servings for 8 people per pie)
Ingredients
1)2 Large Graham Cracker Crust
2)Fruit Cocktail
3)2 Bowls of Whipped Topping
4)Pineapple Tidbits
5)Crushed Pecans
6)2 Cans of Eagle Brand Milk
In a bowl mix all ingredients together 2-6 and stir with a spoon. Then spoon ingredients in graham cracker crust. Cover and refrigerate. Pie is done when cooled for about 2 hours. Ready to serve.
2006-11-01 03:52:52 · answer #5 · answered by teeney-weeney 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would so a potluck that way it will bringdown the cost of the part. You supply the soda or drinks. If your guest are drinking take there keys. I would mention to your neighbors that you are having a party and if it gets to loud to let you know. Have them bring a ornament to the party to put on the tree.
2006-10-31 13:29:08 · answer #6 · answered by dee luna 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hohoho :)
First it is good to start a special tradition.
Decorations can be handmade:
*candles
*small christmas trees
Games:
*The white elephant gift exchange game
*A Christmas quiz
Food:
*Homemade puddings and Christmas cakes
*Cookies
Check this blog of many tips:
http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/
2006-11-01 02:29:53 · answer #7 · answered by David 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here are some websites to help you out.
http://home.ivillage.com/decorating/budget/0,,ndf2,00.html
http://www.celebrating-christmas.com/decorating/christmas-budget-decorating.shtml
http://interiordec.about.com/od/christmasdecor/ht/holidaypartydec.htm
2006-10-31 11:47:29 · answer #8 · answered by Kristin Pregnant with #4 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you do have a potluck you can spend more money on the decorations or misc. stuff and if there are kids as long as they are happy the adults will be easy.
2006-10-31 12:45:29 · answer #9 · answered by kguy53 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋