MY MEDALLION
An iconic part of the holiday season is the celebratory dinner with family and friends. Although many people assume that a holiday feast is expensive, there are many ways to avoid high costs, and still host one for your friends and family to remember. Here are 7 inexpensive ways to host a holiday dinner at your apartment.
Designate and Divide the Meal
One very efficient and cost effective method for hosting a dinner at your apartment is to designate and divide the foods to your guests for preparing and bringing to the table. Not only does this option cut the expense of purchasing ingredients for the meal, but it also allows you to have more variety. To add a touch of style, create different festive labels for each dish that compliment your decor. Asking your guests what they are bringing ahead of time will allow you to create the labels, and it will also ensure you do not end up with more than one of the same item.
Do it Yourself Centrepiece
If you are looking for inexpensive ways to decorate your table, while still maintaining that modern, chic style to your place settings, there are many simple do-it-yourself centrepieces that are festive but are also inexpensive. A perfect centrepiece for your table can be created by filling a serving bowl with clementines, cinnamon sticks, a couple of tree boughs, and a nice candle. This DIY display will spread a festive scent throughout your apartment while adding an extra special glow to your table setting.
Upcycle Items for Decorations
With material items being a large part of everyday life, it is not uncommon to find things within your apartment that can be converted and repurposed. Around the holidays this year, try repurposing some of your old wine glasses into candle holders or use some of your old jewelry to decorate a mini tree. If you are looking for inspiration, Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons has a list of 60 decorations that involve upcycling items into Christmas decorations. Get creative while repurposing some items you never use, and try decorating with upcycled items.
Create Chic, Affordable Place Cards
The place card is an essential accent to a table, as it not only tells your guests where to be seated, but it also adds that extra holiday accent to your setting. Fortunately, it is also very simple to create a chic yet affordable place card that will make your table look festive, and have all your guests in awe. For an inexpensive place card, create small wreaths by stringing cranberries on a wire, and tying them in a circular shape. Place the mini wreaths on each plate, and your table setting will look festive and ready for celebrations.
Limit Your Drink Options
Alcohol is costly, and it can be a significant part of your budget for a dinner gathering, but that doesn’t mean you can’t serve a drink or two at your party. Instead of offering a multitude of options, focus on creating one extravagant holiday cocktail to offer your guests as they arrive. This will help cut the costs of purchasing different alcohols, and your guests will be greeted with an elegant festive cocktail that will start your dinner off before your guests are even seated. If you would rather have multiple options, ask your guests to bring their own alcohol.
Stick to a Menu
If you do not want to delegate purchasing and preparing the food for your guests, it is very important to create a menu and stick with it. This will keep your guests informed about their options, and it will also save you from spending a fortune on foods that you may not end up using. Planning a menu is the perfect way to ensure that you have a meal that is sure to impress while maintaining your cost efficiency.
Regardless of what you have planned for your holiday dinner, there are many ways to keep it cost efficient, while still maintaining the chic, modern atmosphere. For more ideas about how to host a cost efficient holiday dinner in your apartment, visit the Medallion Blog.
