How to Host a Christmas Party on a Budget
Updated: Dec. 26, 2021
'Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry! We're making a list of Christmas party ideas on a budget and checking it twice.
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.” That’s the ultimate goal when hosting a Christmas party. The food, entertainment and decorations don’t have to be elaborate to have fun!
First, take a look at our guide for hosting a holiday party. Then, check out our thrifty Christmas party tips below.
Make It a Potluck
Focus on preparing one or two dishes as the host. Before the event, ask your guests to whip up some simple hors d’oeuvres, bite-size desserts or crunchy snacks. If some guests aren’t skilled home chefs, no problem. They’re welcome to bring chips and dip, a vegetable tray or even some napkins and cutlery.
Snow Pea Holiday WreathSanta himself might stop to sample this pretty-as-a-picture finger food! Crunchy green pea pods and juicy red tomatoes add a natural, fresh and festive holiday note to my buffet table. —Carol Schneck, Lodi, California
Festive Holiday SlidersTurkey sliders with ginger, horseradish and cranberry sauce refrigerate well, so I keep them ready for get-togethers when we bake gifts and wrap presents. —Pamela Miller, Big Rapids, Michigan
Mini MuffulettaPeople love these hearty little sandwich wedges. The recipe is great for a holiday potluck and can be made the day before.—Gareth Craner, Minden, Nevada
Black Cherry Swirl FudgeThis colorful treat is sure to satisfy the sweetest tooth in any family! It's always been a favorite with my nine kids, eight grandkids and my Bible study group. I vary the soft-drink flavors to get colors that match other holidays during the year. —Pauletta Bushnell, Lebanon, Oregon
Bacon Water Chestnut WrapsThe holidays around the house just wouldn't be the same without these classic wraps. Through the years, Christmas Eve guests have proven it's impossible to eat just one. —Laura Mahaffey, Annapolis, Maryland
Cherry Cheese LogsOur party guests flock to this holiday gem of an appetizer - cherry-studded cream cheese served with graham or water crackers and pears. —Libby Walp, Chicago, Illinois
Jellied Champagne DessertThis refreshing dessert looks just like a glass of bubbling champagne.—Vickie McLaughlin, Kingsport, Tennessee
Gumdrop CookiesThese fun cookies are chock-full of chewy gumdrops. I use red and green ones at Christmas, black and orange for Halloween and pastel shades for Easter. I've made this recipe for years and find that kids really get a kick out of the cookies with a candy surprise inside! —Carolyn Stromberg, Wever, Iowa
Artichoke Caprese PlatterI dressed up the classic Italian trio of mozzarella, tomatoes and basil with marinated artichokes. It looks so yummy on a pretty platter set out on a buffet. Using fresh mozzarella is the key to its great taste. —Margaret Wilson, San Bernardino, California
Southern-Style Egg RollsSausage, black-eyed peas and turnip greens give these unique egg rolls a decidedly southern accent. When I bring them to a party, I always come home with an empty plate. —Holly Jones, Kennesaw, Georgia
Easy Smoked SalmonA magazine featured this recipe years ago, and it's still my favorite smoked salmon. Just add crackers for a super simple yet elegant appetizer. —Norma Fell, Boyne City, Michigan
Cheese/Grape AppetizersThese small bites are well worth the time they take. Serve them as part of an antipasto platter or as a cheese course alongside your favorite wine. —Eleanor Grofvert, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Oyster Cheese Appetizer LogWhen you say "holiday tradition" around our house, this appetizer comes to mind immediately. Every winter, I make lots of cheese logs and freeze them for when I'm expecting company or need to take food to someone's home. The blend of smoked oysters, chili powder, nuts and cream cheese tastes good-even people who don't like oysters may enjoy this interesting appetizer. —William Tracy, Jerseyville, Illinois
Baklava Thumbprint CookiesThe topping on my sister-in-law's peach cobbler was so delicious that I asked for the recipe; then I decided to use that to top a cookie I developed with the flavors of baklava. My adult son tried one and immediately ate two more—which is unusual for him! It's a good recipe to mix up the night before and bake fresh the next day for company. —Sharon Eshelman, Harrington, Delaware
Cheddar & Spinach Twice-Baked PotatoesMy husband is a rancher who loves a hearty potato dish, so consider these spuds with cheddar and spinach cowboy approved! My crowd never leaves leftovers. —Jody Augustyn, Loup City, NE
Festive Meat Loaf PinwheelDress up basic meat loaf for a special occasion dinner when company is visiting. This crowd-sized pinwheel features deli ham, Swiss cheese and a homemade tomato sauce. —Vera Sullivan, Amity, Oregon
Sweet Potato Orange CupsServe this refreshingly sweet side dish to your guests in separate cups you craft…from oranges! All you have to do is cut oranges in half, scoop out the fruit and fill the peel with the sweet potato mixture. It's a hit among our family and friends. —Melonie Bowers, Sugarcreek, Ohio
Carrot Spice Thumbprint CookiesCarrot cake is a family favorite, and these delicious cookies with shredded carrots, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, cinnamon and cloves taste very similar. They’re even topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. With each cookie it feels as if you’re eating a piece of carrot cake, but no fork is needed! —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Red Pepper Cornmeal SouffleI use the vegetables from our garden in all my cooking. Dotted with parsley and red pepper, this souffle is a favorite. —Janet Eckhoff, Woodland, California
Eggnog Cream with Spiced Pecan Raisin DunkersI have a thing for eggnog and other creamy desserts like s’mores, pudding, mousses and dips. So I turned them into one yummy dip with homemade dunkers. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Orange-Glazed Chicken & Chorizo MeatballsThese tasty southwestern meatballs warm up a buffet. I add pomegranate seeds, jalapeno pepper jelly and cilantro to make everything pop with color. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Lasagna DipMy lasagna noodle chips turned out great and are out-of-this-world crispy. And the dip truly tastes like rich, cheesy Italian-American lasagna. —Linda Cifuentes, Mahomet, Illinois
Apple, Cheddar & Bacon Bread PuddingI had this dish at a bridal brunch many years ago. It was so delicious that I created my own version, and this is the result. Now I make it all the time. Enjoy! —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina
Pumpkin Seed ToffeeMy kids are allergic to nuts, but they can eat pumpkin seeds! Every fall we save the seeds from our pumpkins to add to various recipes, including this one. —Suzanne Earl, Spring, Texas
Hot Chocolate CookiesUsing hot cocoa mix and marshmallow bits in the cookie dough really makes these hot chocolate cookies taste like the cozy drink. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Garbanzo-Stuffed Mini PeppersMini peppers are so colorful and are the perfect size for a two-bite appetizer. They have all the crunch of pita chips but without the extra calories. —Christine Hanover, Lewiston, California
Butterscotch Pumpkin PuffsYummy things come in these little pudding-rich "packages." The puffs can be made and frozen in advance, then filled before serving for a timesaving dessert. —Michelle Smith, Running Springs, California
Pick a Simple Theme
No need to go out and spend a ton of cash a new outfit. Instead, ask guests to wear old Christmas sweaters or pajamas!
Your theme could even revolve around the food. For example, host a Christmas cookie exchange or throw a chili cook-off.
Ask Guests to BYOB
It’s fun to have festive holiday cocktails and tasty seasonal beers. But buying everything yourself can add up quickly. Feel free to ask your guests to bring beer, wine and spirits to share. If you want, just ask in advance what people plan on bringing so you can provide any necessary garnishes and the proper drinkware. Otherwise, mason jars and cups are perfectly fine.
Do a Stocking Stuffer Exchange
If you plan on exchanging presents, set a monetary limit to each gift—say, $15 to $20. Secret Santa is a fun way to buy and receive gifts. Before the holiday party, each guest is assigned another guest for whom they will buy a fun, practical gift. After the gifts are opened, the recipients have to guess who their “Secret Santa” is. Those who guess correctly can go home with extra Christmas cookies.
Plan your Secret Santa gift with our holiday gift guide.
Decorate Like a Minimalist
Keep it simple with the decorations. Hang streamers, tinsel and handmade paper snowflakes from the ceiling. You can also make your home or apartment smell amazing with some festive scented candles or DIY Christmas potpourri.
For music, listen to a Christmas playlist from a free streaming service, such as Pandora or Spotify.
Play Economical Games
This is such an easy Christmas party idea when you’re sticking to a budget! Ask a friend if you can borrow a fun team-oriented game to play. Apples to Apples and Trivial Pursuit are great group games. You can also play games that don’t require cards or boards.
Easy Christmas Apps for Your Holiday Party
Pickled Pepperoncini Deviled EggsWith all the celebrations during the Christmas season, keeping appetizers light and bright is a good way to go. Pepperoncini and cilantro give these deviled eggs zip and the avocado, used instead of mayo, adds a pop of color.
Air-Fryer Crab au Gratin SpreadThis warm and comforting appetizer is perfect for Christmas gatherings. Using canned crab means it’s super easy to whip up, and the air fryer means there’s less time standing around the oven. Serve with your favorite crackers and crisp vegetables.
Gentleman’s Whiskey Bacon JamBacon makes everything better, especially when it’s mixed with brown sugar and spices. This jam can be served on its own with crackers, but it’s truly a Christmas cheese board’s best friend. Freeze the bacon first for easy prep.
Crisp Caraway TwistsThese flaky cheese-filled twists made with frozen puff pastry bake to a crispy golden brown. Double up on batches for big family get-togethers because they’ll disappear before you know it.
Mini Cheese BallsWhen you’re looking for the ultimate Christmas finger foods, these super quick mini cheese balls should top the list. Simply roll the cheese balls in your favorite topping, like fresh rosemary, sesame seeds or paprika, and serve topped with a halved rye crisp, pretzel or cracker for easy one-bite servings.
Crudite DipThis creamy herb-filled dip is simple to make and a delicious fresh bite alongside some of the more decadent Christmas appetizers. To bring out the tangy flavor, chill the dip before serving to allow the flavors time to blend.
Shrimp Salad AppetizersEndive leaves make fancy-looking handheld edible cups for this refreshing shrimp and crab salad. Make the salad hours before the party starts and scoop out right before serving to ensure the apps stay crisp and cool.
Garlic-Parmesan Cheese BallWalnuts add just enough crunch to this garlic and parmesan cheese ball. It pairs well with crackers, bread sticks and crisp vegetables.
Calamari SaladWhether you celebrate an Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes menu at Christmastime or not, this delicious seafood salad is a winner for the holiday table. It can be served warm or, after refrigeration, cold.
Cranberry Brie Pecan PinwheelsIf you want the entire house to smell amazing, this twist on baked brie combines all the best elements of the classic appetizer: warm gooey cheese, sweet fruit and toasted nuts wrapped in a buttery puff pastry. Bake them to a golden brown.
Pomegranate Guacamole with Feta CheeseAdd some festive flair to your dip with bright pomegranate seeds and feta. Since the cheese is briny, cut back on salt in the guacamole or opt for reduced-sodium chips for scooping.
Santa Deviled EggsA clever Christmas appetizer, these cute deviled eggs will bring a smile to everyone’s face at your holiday gathering. With capers for eyes and cubes of ham for a pink nose, the little Santas are easier to make than they look, and they’re perfect for a festive Christmas Eve snack.
Snow Pea Holiday WreathThis pretty-as-a-picture finger food would stop even Santa in his tracks. Crunchy green pea pods and juicy red tomatoes add a natural, fresh and festive holiday note to any party table.
Lemon-Garlic HummusLemon adds a lovely citrusy layer to traditional hummus. You'll need just five ingredients and less than 15 minutes to make this smooth and creamy dip. Serve with sliced radishes, carrots, celery, jicama and cucumbers and a basket of fresh pita.
Chicken Crescent WreathThis edible holiday wreath looks impressive and is a snap to prepare. Spread a savory chicken and vegetable filling on top of refrigerated crescent dough, strategically tuck in the points, and bake. With broccoli and red peppers peeking out, it’s a colorful addition to the buffet table.
Baked Crab DipMake this creamy, decadent crab dip ahead of time by filling a bread bowl early in the day and chilling it until serving. Remember to remove the bowl from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking, and serve hot just as your guests arrive.
Savory Party BreadIt’s like a blooming onion, but with bread! All you need is a round loaf of sourdough bread, butter, Monterey Jack cheese and green onion. Baked together, this tear-and-share becomes a delicious Christmas appetizer.
Festive Holiday SlidersThese turkey sliders get a boost of flavor from ginger, horseradish and cranberry sauce. Because they refrigerate well, make a batch to keep around for snacking when friends and family drop by for baking parties and gift-wrapping sessions.
Almond-Bacon Cheese CrostiniGet these cheesy bacon crostini ready a few hours before your guests arrive and put in the oven just as everyone settles in for the festivities. Serve warm and crunchy straight from the oven.
Cucumber-Stuffed Cherry TomatoesBright red cherry tomatoes stuffed with a creamy cucumber mixture is a nice light alternative to richer holiday appetizers. Serve with cocktails or at the beginning of the meal—and make extra because they disappear fast.
Tuscan Sausage & Bean DipThis fun Italian take on the classic bean dip will be a hit at any party. Filled with Italian sausage (mild or hot), white beans, spinach and lots of cheese, it's a perfect match for crackers and toasted bread.
Sesame Chicken BitesSesame seeds give these little baked chicken bites some added crunch, while the honey mustard dipping sauce adds a spicy-sweet punch. You can’t go wrong with these for any holiday gathering.
Appetizer WreathTurn crescent roll dough into a tear-and-share wreath, each piece topped with a creamy herbed mixture plus vegetables like broccoli and red pepper. Place a bowl of stuffed olives in the center for even more seasonal color (and snacking).
Originally Published: November 19, 2019
