Spread the word
Christmas 2011, christmas party tips, money saving tips
party invitation in a feature about throwing a christmas party on budget
By Anna Smith
One of the keys to a great party is anticipation. If guests think it\'s going to be fantastic, they\'ll come hyped up and ready to party - and hey, presto, the night\'s a success. Make sure your invite gives a vivid description of what to expect, from music to entertainment to atmosphere. That way people are more likely to turn up, and to throw themselves into it when they get there. Avoid bombarding them with too many reminders, though, that just looks desperate.
\r\n\r\n\r\n
Quiz: Are you the office party disaster?
\r\nhandbag\'s best dating tips
\r\nChristmas gifts galore!
Negotiate
christmas, christmas party, money saving tips
people at a party in a budget christmas party feature
If you\'re hiring out a venue, don\'t take their fees at face value. Popular pubs and clubs may not budge on a pricey minimum spend or room rate, but places that are lesser known or out of the way are often open to a bit of bargaining. Make sure they know you are seriously considering other places, and that the price issue is a deal breaker (even if that isn\'t actually the case).
\r\n\r\n\r\n
Quiz: Are you the office party disaster?
\r\nhandbag\'s best dating tips
\r\nChristmas gifts galore!
Do the math
christmas, christmas party tips, money saving tips
couple in a feature about throwing a christmas party on a budget
If you\'re asked to meet a minimum bar spend by a venue - say, £2,000 for a party for 75-100 people - think very carefully about whether you can realistically achieve it. Some guests will drop out, and some may not stay for long. If the place serves food, make sure your guests know in advance, and that it\'s included in the spend as this can really help meet the target. And ask the bar staff to keep you informed. If you\'re £100 off with an hour to go, time to start accepting all those drinks offers! Mine\'s a glass of champers...
\r\n\r\n\r\n
Quiz: Are you the office party disaster?
\r\nhandbag\'s best dating tips
\r\nChristmas gifts galore!
What a dish
christmas, christmas party tips, money saving tips
couple at a party in a christmas party feature
If you\'re hosting at home, ask your guests to bring a dish each. Believe it or not some people really like showing off their cooking skills and sharing the love. Those who don\'t can just pop to Marks & Spencer. Either way everyone will eat well, and you will still have two pennies to rub together.
\r\n\r\n\r\n
Quiz: Are you the office party disaster?
\r\nhandbag\'s best dating tips
\r\nChristmas gifts galore!
Lucky dip
christmas, christmas party tips, money saving tips
woman in santa outfit in a christmas party budget feature
You know all those CDs and books you keep meaning to sell, or give to charity? Here\'s your chance to get rid and look generous at the same time. Buy a cheap furry red Santa\'s sack from a local market and fill it with goodies you\'ve no longer use for. Guests can all have a go at the lucky dip when they arrive. If you don\'t have enough stuff hoarded, why not ask guests to bring a Secret Santa present to add to the sack?
\r\n\r\n\r\n
Quiz: Are you the office party disaster?
\r\nhandbag\'s best dating tips
\r\nChristmas gifts galore!
Board games
christmas, christmas party tips, money saving tips
people playing board games in a feature about budget christmas parties
Scour the charity shops - or your parents\' garage - for cheap old board games to keep your guests entertained. They don\'t have to be sensible grown up games - imagine the retro fun to be had with a box of Buckaroo. eBay is fab for picking up drinking games. That said, you don\'t need to spend anything - partygamecentral.com has a huge database of party games that can be performed using household items or just the good old-fashioned imagination.
\r\n\r\n
Quiz: Are you the office party disaster?
\r\nhandbag\'s best dating tips
\r\nChristmas gifts galore!
Decorate
christmas, christmas party tips, money saving tips
girls under mistletoe in a christmas party budget feature
Whether you\'re partying at home or hiring out a venue, don\'t forget to add a festive touch to the décor. Street markets and pound shops are brilliant for job lots of tinsel and Christmas trees - shop around to find the best price. And need we add that mistletoe is an excellent icebreaker?!
\r\n\r\n
Quiz: Are you the office party disaster?
\r\nhandbag\'s best dating tips
\r\nChristmas gifts galore!
Dressing up box
christmas, christmas party tips, money saving tips
couple in fancy dress in a feature about christmas parties
Leave a box of hats/wigs/ties etc out for your guests to try on - they might be a bit shy at first, but once they\'ve had a glass or two, they\'ll be running around in silly hats chatting to strangers. Unless you\'re having a very small gathering, it\'s a risk to use your own clothes, so search for fancy dress lots on eBay - we recently picked up 10 sparkly santa hats for 99p and a couple of cowboy hats and toy guns for 50p. Again, one pound shops are full of kitsch items like tubes of glowsticks or bubble-blowing kits.
\r\n\r\n
Quiz: Are you the office party disaster?
\r\nhandbag\'s best dating tips
\r\nChristmas gifts galore!
Get help
christmas, christmas party tips, money saving tips
woman singing in a feature about budget christmas parties
We\'re so often reluctant to ask our friends to help out, but many people enjoy being involved - and if they\'re good friends they will be happy to. Ask your besties to do shifts answering the door, serving drinks and even entertaining. Know a keen cocktail maker, an amateur palm reader or a fab singer? Give them the chance to perform, and keep your guests enthralled at the same time.
\r\n\r\n
Quiz: Are you the office party disaster?
\r\nhandbag\'s best dating tips
\r\nChristmas gifts galore!
Relax
christmas, christmas party tips, money saving tips
man asleep in a feature about budget christmas parties
If you\'re truly organised about your party in advance, you should be able to just relax and have fun on the night. No party is going to go with a swing if the host is running around fussing about whether everyone is really enjoying themselves, or if they\'ve run out of crisps. Be prepared and do keep half an eye on things, but also take the rough with the smooth. The wildest nights have a spontaneous edge, so embrace the chaos and have fun!
\r\n\r\n
100 hot party dresses
\r\nhandbag\'s best dating tips
\r\nChristmas gifts galore!
