hosting holiday gatherings on a budget
TRANSCRIPT
Hosting Holiday Gatherings on a Budget
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Join our #CreditChat every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. This week, the community shared some great tips on hosting
your own holiday gathering on a budget.
ex.pn/holidayparty
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What should you planto pay for when hosting
a holiday party?
Plan to pay for the food and wine with dinner. If a guest brings an
appetizer or drinks, then it’s a bonus, but not necessary.
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Kevin C. Swanson@kevincswanson
When hosting a party, you should plan on paying for decorations, drinks, and at least some light
snacks.
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Southeast Financial@SFCUNews
Sharing is caring. Create a list and have a potluck! Having people sign
up to bring things takes the pressure out of asking.
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Payoff@payoff
If you’re tackling the whole party by yourself, ask yourself what you can do without? You don’t HAVE to have
three appetizers.
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Kasasa@Kasasa
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What are ways to reducecost on food?
Start buying items now while they are cheaper.
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Kasasa@Kasasa
Make dishes that share ingredients so you don’t have to
throw away half a can of condensed milk, for example.
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Mortgages.com@WeAreMortgages
Have everyone bring a dish!
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Ashley Jacobs@Wisebread
You can save on party food by buying in bulk, doing a
potluck, or not serving a full meal.
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Paul Moyer@SavingFreak
Instead of hosting a full dinner, you can host an appetizer, cookie,
or wine and cheese party!
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CARE@care4yourfuture
Plan ahead. We buy well ahead, on sale, and freeze what we can.
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Rod Griffin@Rod_Griffin
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How can you save on drinks?
Make something non-traditional! It allows you to explore cheaper and
different options!
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Payoff@payoff
Bringing your own beer is common. Chip in on a keg. It can be cheaper and
more bang for your buck.
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Saving Thousands@SavingThousands
Make a big batch of one festive cocktail and have your guests bring
the wine and beer.
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CordiaGrad@CordiaGrad
Buy drinks in bulk; go to stores like Sam’s Club, BJ’s, or Costco so you can
have drinks for multiple holidays.
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CARE@care4yourfuture
Turn your drinks into 1 oz. wine tastings of varietals to spread out drinks among guests and pair with
hors d’oeuvres.
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KOFE@KOFETIME
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When and where do youbuy seasonal decorations?
Stores like Big Lots and Dollar Tree have cheap decorations that you can dress up, but the good ones go fast.
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Southeast Financial@SFCUNews
I try to buy after each holiday and save for the next year. You can get nice table linens and decorations half price!
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Kristine Snyder@Krissylynn
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Collecting pine cones and evergreen branches doesn’t cost you a cent. Get
creative with what is in your yard.
KOFE@KOFETIME
Buy seasonal decorations one week after a season is over. Target cuts
prices the fastest, but you can do very well with Kmart.
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Paul Moyer@SavingFreak
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Get on Pinterest! Check out the DIY decorations you can make with family
using things you already own.
Miriam Cross@MiriamSCross
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What are some fun andfree activities a host can do
to entertain guests?
I’m a big fan of trivia games or “name that tune” with Christmas songs.
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Southeast Financial@SFCUNews
A game of touch football at your local park can be a great afternoon activity for your holiday gathering.
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Kasasa@Kasasa
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We break up into teams and have a Lego build-off. A theme is
given with a time limit.
Rebecca Lock@alady3lads
Apples to Apples is one of the best games to play with a large group of
people. So much fun!
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CARE@care4yourfuture
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Selene Finance@SeleneFinance
Decorate a Christmas tree together, read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ aloud, or have a cookie baking session
with friends.
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What are some frugal ways to keep the kids entertained?
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Have the kids make decorative place setting name tags. We did
turkeys traced from our hands a few years ago.
Selene Finance@SeleneFinance
Set up a craft or coloring area for kids. Have more than one activity so
they don’t get bored.
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Southeast Financial@SFCUNews
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Three words: giant leaf pile. Costs zero dollars and can keep the
kids having fun all day.
Kasasa@Kasasa
We’re big on board games to entertain kids, or we’ll plan themed movies to play
along with popcorn to munch on.
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Kevin C. Swanson@kevincswanson
Have them help in the kitchen. Stir some food, cut some cookies, and it’s a sneaky way to start to teach them how to cook.
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CARE@care4yourfuture
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What’s your strategy for gift-giving at holiday parties?
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Kasasa@Kasasa
A white elephant gift swap can be a cheap and fun way to keep things
interesting.
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Secret Santa - draw names at the party, great for mingling with new
people.
KOFE@KOFETIME
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Set a limit on gift-giving. No more than $10 to $15 and everyone has to
bring a gift as admission.
Yes, I Am Cheap@yesiamcheap
Gift exchanges are a perfect way to cut down the cost of gift-giving at parties!
Themes optional: ornaments, sweaters, etc.
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Payoff @payoff
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What are some financial mistakes to avoid when hosting a holiday party?
Don’t try to do too much. People are the most important part of the party.
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Southeast Financial@SFCUNews
Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Do only what you can afford in cash. If
you need debt to host, then don’t.
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Debbi King@DebbiKing
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Buying too much of anything. We tend to buy too much of one
item. Ask for RSVP’s to get an idea of numbers
and your budget.
CARE@care4yourfuture
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Mortgages.com@WeAreMortgages
It’s always a mistake not to set a realistic budget, even for the smallest
gathering.
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Waiting last minute to buy big items, and end up paying full price. Holidays
are the season of deals, find some!
KOFE@KOFETIME
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What are your final tipsfor hosting a fun and stress-
free holiday gathering?
Do not think you have to buy everything. If you’re on a budget, ask
friends for help. It’ll be more fun.
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Kasasa @Kasasa
Remember what it’s all about - family and friends and fun, not
about how much you spend.
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Debbi King@DebbiKing
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CARE@care4yourfuture
Remember how valuable your time is during the holidays. Spending time is the best investment during this season.
Take lots of photos. Capture the memories.
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Kristine Snyder@Krissylynn
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Check out all the resources and tips shared:
ex.pn/holidayparty
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