Top Ten Ways to Throw a Party on a Dime

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By: Tavon Ferguson

10.  The dollar store is your friend.  Exhibit A: a wreath from a high end store is about $40 but a wreath with supplies bought from the dollar store is about $4.  Your local dollar store has more than just canned veggies and birthday cards.  They are stocked full of pre-made decorations and crafty kits.

9.  You are invited to a dessert hour.  You don’t always have to go for the large dinner with 10 homemade items that leaves you tired and your wallet stretched.  How about a dessert party or a “Holiday Open House?”  This way, you can serve desserts that can be made ahead of time.

8.  It’s all in the details.  Let me introduce you to your new best friend: the glue gun!  It’s always the details that make the difference.  A matching ribbon on a candle and table cloth or even a row of crystals around a vase, the easiest way to have glitz or glamor is to add it yourself.  With one wave of a glue gun, you can personalize any item.

7.  It’s beginning to smell a lot like the holidays.   You can spend a lot of money on candles, plug-ins, oils and diffusers.  A good alternative is the Renuzit adjustable air filter easily found in any grocery store.  The Renuzit comes in festive holiday scents like “gingerbread cookies”, “festive snow” and “berry wonderland”.  You can mix the scents and place one in the corner of every room to stimulate the senses of your guest.  The best part is that they only cost $1.

6.  A Me-tini. You can feature a self-named cocktail instead of having to buy a large assortment of alcohol.

5. Pick a color and stick with it.  For a chic holiday look, pick a color theme to incorporate in the decorations around your home.  Try pairing silver or gold with tangerine, cobalt blue or even fuschia. When you use a bold color paired with a traditional color, you don’t have to use as many items to decorate your home because of the ‘WOW’ factor of the colors.

4.  101 Cookies.  Cookie exchanges are great ideas.  Similar to a potluck, have all your girlfriends over and have them bring a dozen cookies or two of their favorite baked goods.  Everyone can go home with 6 or more of different types of baked goods.  Feature them at your holiday party and give your guests an unexpected treat.

3.  Make a statement… for less!  Although you may want to mix and mingle in a brand new outfit, your wallet may not allow it.  The best thing to do is to buy a statement piece instead.  Some hot trends for this season are ruffles, the color purple and jeweled toned flats.  Buy one trendy item and it will transform any outfit… for less.

2.  Make a list and check it twice.  I am sure you can cut the mailman, your nail technician and even your child’s third grade teacher.  Sometimes it’s your guest list that can cost you the most.  Instead, have an intimate dinner and then invite extended guests for desert.

1. Semi-homemade is just as good.  Create dishes that are semi-homemade.  Sandra Lee is a popular Food Network chef who features many inexpensive easy to create recipes that require little ingredients but make a large impression.  A great holiday recipe of hers is for Banana Pudding Bites.  They only require 4 ingredients, 10 minutes and no baking!

Tavon Ferguson is a blogger and newly married graduate student who planned a $20,000 wedding for just $6000 by scouring the internet for coupons and deals. You can learn more about her and her services from her website, www.LavishDesignsOnADime.com.