Hosting a holiday, no matter which one it is can be a lot of work and can drain your budget and stress you out. That's why I have put together some tips so that you can enjoy your holiday without stressing out. Don't let it break the bank or your sanity! These tips will help you save money and focusing on enjoying the food and your company.
Ask your guests to contribute a dish.
Obviously this can help save you money since you aren't solely responsible for the food costs. You will also have less to prepare the day of and you can focus your energy on hosting and socializing. A potluck type meal is the best choice for Thanksgiving since there are so many fun side dish options. Since you're the host, you can focus on the main dish and maybe a side dish.
Don't overdo it with cooking.
Many times we make way too much food for a holiday. It's great when you have enough that there are leftovers but even then, a lot of times the leftovers even go to waste. For me, I only have a couple people over on the holidays so I make an appropriate amount of food that will let us all enjoy some on the day of but also we will have a couple servings of leftovers per each person. It ensures I save money, time, and energy and that I'm not being wasteful with food.
Be thrifty.
It's great that some people go all out with decor and table settings but it's okay to keep it simple. If you do want to get some new items, consider going to a thrift store first. Dollar stores even have really nice dinnerware, in fact that's where most of mine is from and it's lasted over a decade so far. You can also get crafty and make your own decorations especially if you use things from nature like pinecones and leaves in a bowl for a centerpiece.
Ask before buying.
Check with your guests beforehand with what they like to eat and drink and any dietary restrictions. This way you know things won't go to waste. If no one drinks soda, for instance, there's no sense in stocking up on it for your gathering. You can also ask guests to bring their drink of choice.
Save on alcohol.
Booze can be a costly thing when hosting a holiday so again, ask your guests to bring their own booze. As the host, you have enough to worry about so there's no sense in becoming a bartender all of a sudden on your own!
Keep calm.
Don't tress too much thinking you need everything to be perfect and fancy. Most people won't even notice if you don't dust the highest surfaces in your home. Just take a week beforehand to do some heavier cleaning so there's less to do the day of. The point of the holidays is to enjoy each other's company so really, that's going to be the focus for everyone.
Are you hosting this year? How do you handle the expenses and preparation?
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