Festive Fun on a Budget!

Festivities abound as we head into the holiday season, and there’s no better way to spend the holidays than with friends and family! However, the holidays can be a hard on your budget – so we’ve compiled some ideas on how you can host memorable get-togethers without breaking the bank: 

Potluck  

The holiday season is about family and friends coming together, but hosting a party for a large group of people can quickly get expensive. Instead of stressing about how to feed the masses on budget, make your get-together a potluck! Break your menu down into categories, from appetizers to entrees and desserts. Once you’ve categorized them, you can set up a spreadsheet that your guests can access ahead of time to sign up for the category they’d prefer; and you can take note of what everyone plans on bringing.  

Here are some ideas of what your guests can bring:  

• Entrees: Think of dishes that can feed plenty of people, while also being self-serve. Lasagna, casserole, mac’ n cheese, chili and mashed potatoes are all great options.  

• Appetizers: Finger foods like a charcuterie board, pigs in a blanket, a veggie platter and jalapeño poppers are easy options for guests to bring.  

• Dessert: Holiday themed cookies, brownies, pies, tarts and festive cakes are sure to wow everyone in attendance.  

Grab bag Gift Exchange  

A gift exchange is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends alike! Set a spending limit, for example no more than $20. Have each guest bring a wrapped gift without a tag, and combine all the gifts into one bag. Go around in a circle and have each guest pick a gift. If you want to make the gift exchange a little more competitive, you can add rules on “stealing” a gift from someone else instead of picking from the bag. Once all the gifts have been taken from the bag, unwrap them and enjoy! 

Game Night  

Going out with friends is always fun, but costs can add up quickly. Instead, try a game night! From charades to gin rummy, there’s a game out there for everyone. Game nights are a great way to get a small group of people together, all while maintaining some friendly competitive spirit. Make sure you have games that are easy for guests of all ages to play and can be quickly taught to new players. You can ask each guest to bring their favorite game, so you have a wide variety to choose from, and let the games begin!  

The holiday season can be stressful for you and your wallet, but it doesn’t have to be! With these financially-savvy festivity ideas, your holiday season is guaranteed to bring joy and make memories to last a lifetime.  

Are you struggling with holiday finances and debt? A refinance may be the perfect option to use your home’s value to access cash! Contact us today, and let’s see what your home can do for you this season.