Pointers on throwing a Christmas party for under $50

Have a festive and fun Christmas party while keeping the budget under $50 by following these simple tips.
It is no secret that the holidays can get expensive, and getting together with family and friends is no exception. But it is possible to have a holly, jolly Christmas without breaking the bank.

Alcohol is one of the most expensive aspects of any holiday party. When people come to a party, they expect alcohol to keep things loose and light.

Rather than footing the bill for the booze yourself, have each guest bring a bottle of their favourite festive alcohol instead of bringing another form of hostess gift. That way, everyone can enjoy in the offering rather than holding on to an expensive bouquet.

Another huge part of any holiday party bill is the food. Reduce your food bill by planning your party so it takes place between meals or after supper. A children's party, for example, can take place in the late afternoon to eliminate the need to serve a whole meal. An adult party can take place around 8 p.m., to signal that guests should eat before they arrive.

Serving simple appetizers, snacks and desserts rather than an entire meal will significantly reduce the party budget.

A party host may spend over $100 on decorations alone. You can avoid this expense entirely by using your existing decorations. You probably already have tons of Christmas decorations on hand, and you can save even more by using dishes and cutlery that you already own.

If you're short on decorations, ask your best friends to come early and bring what they have to help out.

Certain specialty ingredients drive the cost of hosting a party through the roof. However, many holiday treats can be made using inexpensive ingredients such as flour, sugar, chocolate and mint. Stick to low-cost snacks and foods to keep the party budget low.

You can even ask party guests to bring a food item along with their bottle of alcohol for a fun, inexpensive potluck party.

When you think outside the box, you will find that your holiday party does not have to be expensive. You may be surprised at how little a Christmas party has to cost to be successful.