Inexpensive Party Tips

Ten Essential Inexpensive Party Tips to Save You Money this Christmas Season or any other occasion

1. The perfect Invitations.

Create inexpensive invitations that inspire the theme of your party, a must-attend ! To get guests excited, be creative. Send a sprig of holly with details listed alongside a lipstick-imprinted kiss for a Holiday Season Cocktail Party, affix a swizzle stick with a promise of a great, "occasion inspired" cocktail you plan to serve, or email an E-vite with holiday or party themes (the most inexpensive way, 0$). Then save yourself some cash with clever themes. For an inexpensive idea, forget stocking glassware and invite guests to arrive with their most festive martini glasses, or skip a huge bar tab by suggesting each guest arrives with a bottle of vino.

Whatever you decide to do, send your invites out at least two weeks before your event. Two very important rules to remember for a successful party are: Include a start and an end time (if there is one..) on invitations to accomodate others, this allows party hoppers to plan ahead, and clearly indicate the type of party (cocktail party, dinner party, etc.) you plan to host so your guests know what to expect.

2. Fabulous Decor and Favors

Fashionably chic is the name of the game when hosting a great party, and it too, can be inexpensive. Stock up on serving trays, glassware and any other necessary party pieces by borrowing from friends, shopping on eBay or loading up at local garage sales or discount outlets. Customize your own current party ware by painting it wintry colors like white, silver, gold or cranberry. Add sexy lighting with tons of tea lights, these are very inexpensive, small water glasses work fine if you don't have votives) or amber light bulbs, which cast a warm, sultry glow. Make use of those Christmas decorations for an inexpensive idea: String white lights around the front doorway, windows or the buffet table; stack same-color holiday ornaments in large glass bowls or vases; and hang colored globe shaped ornaments from the ceiling with pins and fishing wire. Pick up a can of Crystal Frost spray to add an icy effect or snowflake designs to windows, and grab some shiny and fun tree tinsel for last-minute touches, perhaps as a tangle around an appetizer platter or a tie around rolled napkins.

You can even create exciting glassware in an inexpensive way. To create custom wine glass tags, use an instant camera to snap mini photos of friends when they walk through the door, hole-punch the tops, add festive ribbon and attach to wine glass stems.

3. Easy, Fun and Glamorous! Inexpensive Snacks

Unless you plan on serving a sit down dinner or buffet, your party should start well before dinner or well after. Even then, it's important to offer an array of finger food and appetizers. Everyone loves delicious food at a party!But there's no need to work all day or stock up on cuttlery and dinnerware. Design a buffet full of finger foods. Then use vibrant, metallic, wrapping paper to line the serving trays or plates. All your platters and plates will match the mood. Try these recipe ideas for starters and let your guests munch and mingle:

Crab Appetizer NapoleonsThaw Time: 30 minutesPrep Time: 15 minutesBake Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:1/2 pkg. Pepperidge Farm® Frozen Puff Pastry Sheets (1 sheet)(Use "no-name" if available for an inexpensive alternative.)1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened*1 tbsp. milk 1 tbsp. prepared horseradish 1/4 tsp. pepper 1 can (about 6 oz.) refrigerated pasteurized crabmeat, drained4 green onions, sliced1/2 cup sliced almonds Paprika

Directions:THAW pastry sheet at room temperature 30 min. Preheat oven to 400°F.

UNFOLD pastry sheet on lightly floured surface. Cut into 12 rounds, using 2" cookie cutter. Place 2" apart on baking sheet. Bake 15 min. or until golden. Remove from baking sheet and cool on wire rack.

STIR cream cheese until smooth. Stir in milk, horseradish, pepper and crabmeat.

SPLIT pastries into 2 layers, making 24 layers in all. Spread crabmeat mixture on 12 bottom layers. Top with onions, almonds and top layers. Sprinkle with paprika. Makes 12 Napoleons.

TIP: *To soften cream cheese, remove from wrapper. On microwave-safe plate, microwave on HIGH 15 seconds

Holiday Brie en CrouteThaw Time: 30 minutesPrep Time: 15 minutesBake Time: 20 minutesStand Time: 60 minutes

Serves: 12

This appetizer looks extravagant, but in reality is quite inexpensive.

Ingredients:1/2 pkg. Pepperidge Farm® Frozen Puff Pastry Sheets (1 sheet)1 egg 1 tbsp. water 1/2 cup apricot preserves OR seedless raspberry jam 1/3 cup dried cranberries, softened*1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds 1 (13.2 oz.) Alouette® Baby Brie Pepperidge Farm® Water Crackers

Directions:THAW pastry sheet at room temperature 30 min. Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix egg and water.

UNFOLD pastry sheet on lightly floured surface. Roll into 14" square. Cut off corners to make a circle. Spread preserves to within 1" of pastry edge. Sprinkle cranberries and almonds over preserves. Top with cheese. Brush edge of circle with egg mixture. Fold two opposite sides over cheese. Trim remaining two sides to 2" from edge of cheese. Fold these two sides onto the round. Press edges to seal. Place seam-side down on baking sheet. Decorate top with pastry scraps if desired. Brush with egg mixture.

BAKE 20 min. or until golden. Let stand 1 hr. Serve with crackers.

TIP: *To soften cranberries, mix dried cranberries and 1/2 cup hot water in bowl. Let stand 1 min. Drain and pat dry.

And always be sure to serve one visually dramatic item. For example, fill clear glasses or clear plastic cups with brownies, custard, toasted almonds and caramel sauce for an original parfait. (You'll need spoons for this one.) Or try edible presents, like decadent brownies topped with chocolate icing and white icing bows you've created yourself.

4. Self Designed Cocktails

You can save big bucks and make a party memorable by creating a specialty cocktail. Vodka and Gin are good bases for interesting and inexpensive cocktail. Use your imagination to create your very own cocktail, vodka and Gin are both inexpensive and widely available, combined with fruit juices, sodas, or other liquors you will have an original mix you can call your own.

Prepare it in large batches in advance for an inexpensive treat, (leaving out the soda or juice until right before serving) and set up your self-serve bar with style. Include extra ice (at least a pound per person), glasses (at least two per person or you'll be washing glasses all night, better yet use disposable), cocktail/appetizer napkins, and spares of everything (hidden in the kitchen or under the bar) and a note explaining the drink name and ingredients or your friends will be asking you all night.

5. That's Entertainment

Mingle, yes. But you should also plan something memorable. Encourage guests to do something together -- like sing a song -- so that they can really let their hair down in unison. Hand out lyrics to your favorite holiday tune, play a recorded version on low volume and let the crooning begin. (By the way, this works better when everyone has exchanged his or her inhibitions for a few cocktails.)

Pace of the party slowing down? Put a crazy disco compellation in the CD player and get your groove on. This always energizes a party and makes people laugh!

6. A Little Night Music

Set the mood of your soiree with all-time favorite tunes. Early in the evening, try the soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas (a classic), then pick up the pace midway through the party with festive music. (I like the Jackson 5 Christmas Album and the movie soundtrack to Four Rooms.) Choose music that you know your guests will love, keeps toes tapping and won't offend. Music is also your best end-of-evening friend -- turning it off and flipping on the lights is a subtle signal that guests should head out on their way.

7. Look the Part

You're the master of ceremonies, so glam it up -- wear something fun and festive to set the mood, it doesn't have to cost alot, look for inexpensive designer knock offs. I always put a big flower in my hair. Try a boa or one super-fun accessory that will make guests smile.

8. Don't Leave 'Em Empty-Handed

Want a great way to send guests off? Try simple party favors. Fill a big bowl with candy canes, candies or personalized cookies (write your own messages with food markers) that friends can grab as they walk out. To start the giving earlier in the evening, consider place settings that incorporate novelty gifts from a gumball machine (too cute!)? Or host an old-fashioned gift swap (visit eHow™ for rules): Ask each guest to bring a small gift and let the good times roll!

9. Closing Ceremonies

It's easy to get caught up in all the excitement and fun (you deserve to after all that hard work), but don't forget to raise your glass to toast and acknowledge your friends. One activity I love to do at the end of a party: Ask each friend to write a letter that describes his or her personal wish for the coming year and seal it in a self-addressed envelope. Then surprise and delight your friends by mailing the letters the following Christmas or New Year's. Prepare for the thank-you phone calls -- many of my friends meet or exceed their goals each year!

10. My Best-Kept Secret -- Revealed!

The secret to great entertaining? It has little to do with your cooking skills or your elegant collection of flatware. It's about being hospitable and adding a dash of personalized cleverness to each and every fete. You want to be jolly and jubilant when guests arrive, so plan your prep time and menu around your available time and budget. Add a little fun and personal flare to your decor, be playful, make your home warm and inviting, and even if you serve Chinese takeout or pizza, guests will know they're part of something magical.