How to Host a Holiday Party on a Budget

Holiday Party Drink Ideas

Holiday Bar Cart Decorations

Holiday Party Cheese Plate

Holiday Party Cocktail

How to Host a Holiday Party on a Budget

Holiday Party Appetizers

Holiday Party Hosting Tips

Party Decorations | Bar Cart | ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ Art | Champagne Glasses

I’ve always loved to host my friends for a holiday get together during the holidays. However, I’ve always had to entertain on a limited budget. It started in college when I had to figure out how to host a party with the funds from my part-time retail job, and then as a 20-something with my income from my entry-level marketing gig. How to do put together a stunning party with limited funds?

Here are some of the tips and tricks that I’ve learned over the years on how to host a holiday party on a limited budget!

  1. It’s All in the Details

    For the holiday party I hosted this year, I added a few little details that really made the party seem a little more luxe! I added table confetti to both my bar cart and table, as well as little “Sips” and “Treats” signs to my food and drink stations to take my party decor to the next level. These small touches were super inexpensive, and you could make these yourself as well! 

  2. Stick to a Signature Drink

    Instead of buying multiple types of drinks for my party, I stuck to a really simple cocktail: a champagne cocktail topped off with cranberries and a little “merry” flag stickers. By simplifying the drink menu, I only needed to buy one type of alcohol, which was super cost-effective. I also decided to grab some plastic champagne flutes that are also reusable; this way, if any spills happen, I won’t have to worry about broken glass in my apartment, but I also have the option to keep these glasses for my next shindig!

  3. Serve Hors D’Ouerves Instead of a Full Meal

    As much as I love a good dinner party, I skipped a buffet-style holiday party and offered a simple cheese/charcuterie board and cranberry tart dish. I chose to build my own cheese/charcuterie plate with gouda, goat cheese, brie, salamis and crackers. You can head to your local BJ’s Wholesale Club to snag larger portions of the cheese and crackers if you’re feeding a large crowd! BJ’s also has pre-made appetizer platters at their deli that you can order ahead of time. 

  4. Host an Under $20 Gift Exchange

    We decided to host a white elephant at our holiday party as a fun activity — since my roommate and I both invited our sets of friends who didn’t know each other that well, this was a fun way to gift anonymously and a great icebreaker as well! By keeping it under $20, it’s a great way for both you and your guests to not break the bank. BJ’s Wholesale also has an awesome selection of gifts under $20 for any gift exchange, they also have a great selection of toys and higher-end gifts for any person on your list!

How do you host a holiday party on a budget?

Thank you to BJ’s Wholesale Club for partnering with me for this post!

Leave a Comment

20 Comments

  1. Great tips !! I’m going to have s Christmas party st my home soon
    X,Avril
    The color palette

    Posted 12.6.16 Reply
    • Eeek, congrats on the party girl — I have a feeling it’s going to be such a cute party! Thank you for stopping by!

      Posted 12.8.16 Reply
  2. Candy Kage wrote:

    Using a cart is such a easy and good idea. Love all the decorations. Plus the food and drinks look wonderful.

    Posted 12.6.16 Reply
    • This bar cart has completely stepped up my hosting game! Thank you so much Candy!

      Posted 12.8.16 Reply
  3. Brittany Daoud wrote:

    These tips are amazing and so helpful, and not just for a holiday party too!

    Posted 12.6.16 Reply
    • Ahh thank you Brittany, I appreciate it!!

      Posted 12.8.16 Reply
  4. Chloe wrote:

    These are soo great! I love all of your Christmas decorations, they’re so pretty! 🙂

    xo, Chloe // http://funinthecloset.com/sudio-sweden-earphones/

    Posted 12.6.16 Reply
  5. Lifestylequeenbee wrote:

    I’m hosting Christmas this year so these tips definitely come in handy – thanks for sharing!

    Posted 12.6.16 Reply
    • Ahh that’s so awesome about hosting Christmas this year — I know it will be a huge hit! Thank you for stopping by!

      Posted 12.8.16 Reply
  6. Leah Hall wrote:

    These are all great ideas! We almost always do appetizers for parties, they are just easier for everyone! Thanks for these!

    Posted 12.6.16 Reply
    • Appetizers are just the best! Thank you for stopping by Leah!

      Posted 12.8.16 Reply
  7. Mary Gui wrote:

    this is such a great post, and all your party details look fabulous! that drink is making me so thirsty!
    http://www.layersofchic.com

    Posted 12.6.16 Reply
    • That makes two of us, I can’t look at these photos again without wanting to pop some bubbly, haha! Thank you so much Mary!

      Posted 12.8.16 Reply
  8. Jenny wrote:

    Yes to all of these! Your apartment looks so cute and festive.

    Posted 12.7.16 Reply
    • Aww thank you so much Jenny! I had a blast decorating it!

      Posted 12.8.16 Reply
  9. Molly Moon wrote:

    Loving these tips lady. Everything looks so festive! Now here I go brainstorming signature drinks for my upcoming parties!

    Molly | Hey There Sunshine

    Posted 12.7.16 Reply
    • Girl — I know you’re gonna brainstorm the cutest signature cocktails!! Plz share on social so I can drool over them, hah!

      Posted 12.8.16 Reply
  10. These are such great tips, Alicia!

    Posted 12.9.16 Reply
  11. TheHeSaidSheSaidExp wrote:

    I love confetti and it really does so PARTY when you see confetti. Plus, I love that you suggest doing a nice gift exchange, just keeping it inexpensive. I really hate the junky gift swaps. I would rather spend my money on something cool and get something like that back.

    Posted 12.9.16 Reply