Instead of purchasing expensive serving dishes for every holiday, place a cloth napkin over an everyday plate. You can place the plate on a cake stand for a little extra presentation. If serving foods that may stain, line with a small piece of wax paper.
Crafted Christmas Table Place Markers
Here are some festive and frugal ideas for crafted place markers to help you get your guests seated where you want them!
Plan Craft Activities Instead of Christmas Gifts
Our children are grown and most have children of their own. Due to locations, the kids don't see their nieces and nephews often enough to know what sizes they wear or what new fad they are crazy about, so buying gifts for them is somewhat difficult.
Christmas "Tea Party" with Donut Hole Tree
At a recent family party, I treated the children with a "tea party" with hot chocolate and donut holes.
Star Stickers to Etch Glassware and Other Ideas
Make your guests a real star by marking their glass with this easy removable star. A free stencil for etching your holiday glasses.
Craft Project: Christmas Party Favor Bags
I am in charge of a Christmas party every year for two school classes and always like to have a "goodie bag" of treats to send home. It's hard to find the right size bag, so came up with my own.
Ask Guests to Bring Containers for Leftovers
When we get together for a big dinner, holiday or such, I ask everyone who wants to take home leftovers to bring some containers from home. Either Tupperware or butter bowls. That way at the end of day I am not giving away my dishes.
Set Up a Holiday Craft Station for Kids
With the holidays coming, and children needing things to do, set up a craft station nearby that has all the needed craft supplies that the kids can make something easy, to take with them. A place mat, door hanger for their room, or just a collage.
I LOVE cookies so when I saw a book by Gooseberry Patch on Cookie Swaps I was in HEAVEN! There are MANY ways you can do your party. I set the date and just asked all my guest to bring a BIG batch of there favorite cookies (try to see what kind they are making so you don't end up with all one kind).
A Santa Theme Christmas Luncheon
With the holidays almost upon us, I like to give my girlfriends a little time off. So I invite them all over for a little holiday luncheon that is a fun way to take a break from all the baking and Christmas shopping. This was quick and easy, because all the food can be made ahead of time and cooked the day of the party.
Ideas For Christmas Party Games And Food
I need some ideas for a Christmas party games and food. It is a church party for middle-age people and ideas need to be simple and cheap. Thank you in advance.
Makeshift Warming Tray. Now you can all eat together instead of "the mom" having to reheat each plate. The food now has not cooled off sitting in the serving bowls on the dining table.
Any ideas for creative cookie storage containers for those at the cookie swap?
Inviting People That Will Be Alone
Do you know a single person, any age, who lives alone? Share the spirit of CHRISTMAS and invite them over for dinner. I live alone, have no family and would have loved to have been invited to someone's house for Thanksgiving...
House all "DECKED" for the holidays, and no one but family to share it with? May I suggest a few fun holidays get-togethers that don't have to break you up,but allow Moms a night out with friends? The following are fun and inexpensive get-togethers which will be enjoyed by everyone but won't have to cost a fortune to host...
Mix together, bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat.
Upside down candy canes make great cocoa stirrers! By Linda
Make a breakfast casserole on Christmas eve that you can pop into the oven while your family opens gifts having coffee and cocoa. By the time the unwrapping is done, or as a break in the middle, breakfast will be ready. Cut up some fruit the night before, too. By Linda
Remember your elderly or just alone neighbors who might not have family with a few Christmas goodies, or, better yet, an invite to join your family for Christmas morning or dinner. By Linda
Festive Napkin Rings With Cookie Cutters
Seasonal cookie cutters make great festive napkin rings and can be a little party favor, too. Just add a bright bit of ribbon or raffia. By Linda
Small pretzel sticks make great skewers for bite-sized appetizers - nothing to throw away. By June S.
Using the Crockpot to Keep Food Warm
Make sure when entertaining to use your crockpot to heat up side dishes such as canned veggies, or use it to keep mashed potatoes or a soup warm.
Spend More Time With Your Family This Holiday Season: Host A Caroling Party
Too often we forgo entertaining because of the mere thought of all of the preparation that is involved. And more is not better. Often we try to out do each other with lavish parties and expensive gifts. Stop and remember for a second what was important from your own childhood. Was it an outing? Baking cookies with your grandmother? Building a snowman with your dad? We need to connect. This doesn't require more time, just shifting the focus of the time we already have. Here, a casual party and a very simple activity were the catalyst that brought everyone together.
Christmas Tea Party Menu and Tips
Here are some easy ideas for a Christmas time Tea Party. Serve hot spiced teas (Celestial Seasonings have some great ones), Cucumber Sandwiches are traditional tea party fare but take it one step further for Christmas and try some of these easy sandwiches...
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Craft Project: Christmas Party Favor Bags
I am in charge of a Christmas party every year for two school classes and always like to have a "goodie bag" of treats to send home. It's hard to find the right size bag, so came up with my own.
A Santa Theme Christmas Luncheon
With the holidays almost upon us, I like to give my girlfriends a little time off. So I invite them all over for a little holiday luncheon that is a fun way to take a break from all the baking and Christmas shopping. This was quick and easy, because all the food can be made ahead of time and cooked the day of the party.
