Party Do Overs

You don't have to empty your wallet or set up a special savings account just to invite your friends over for the holiday season. Whether you're planning an informal get together or a fancy dinner party, there are more than a few ways to get the job done and have a great time without spending a ton of money. Here's how you can switch things up with your Party Do Overs:

Enlist Your Guests to Bring a Favorite Dish or Drink

The first money-saving tip is simple: Make your party BYOB, or make it a potluck. That doesn't mean you can't supply some of the food or the drinks yourself. It just means that, in the case of booze, just tell your guests to bring their favorite drink and you'll make sure they get it at the party.

Buy in Bulk

If there's ever a time to make sure you get the discounts available by buying in bulk from Price smart now's the time to do it. If you have a membership, that's great, but if you don't, there are ways to get in and get those discounts anyway.

Switch Up the Time of Day

Another way to save a few bucks without sacrificing the party is to switch up the time of day. Instead of having a dinner or all-night affair, consider a lunch or brunch party instead. It may sound a little pretentious, but a few beers or drinks in the afternoon or a pot luck lunch with friends can also be a lot of fun, and it inherently requires less fuss than a massive dinner party or an all-night affair with a stocked bar and tons of drink options. Have a brunch style soiree? Who doesn't love an omelet bar?

Get Affordable Ingredients

If you plan to do most of the cooking, you can save a lot of money by picking the right ingredients, or figuring out what you can make to serve your guests with the things you already have in your pantry. You don't have to plan a pricey trip to the grocery store just to entertain a few people—if you keep a few helpful things on-hand all the time, you're probably in good shape already. Even if you do need to head to the store, save money by buying ingredients that are in-season or on sale.

Remember, you want to be a good host, and if the effort your guests have to put in to the party implies they'd be better off staying home, you might want to reconsider the effort you're putting into the affair. The goal is to have fun with these budget saving Party Do Over.

Let me know what you all are thinking and share your ideas on a cost friendly holiday lime.