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Creatively Frugal
Holiday Gatherings
What tips do you have for saving money when planning any kind of holiday
gathering?
"Two things that almost EVERYBODY
has in short supply at Christmas are TIME and MONEY. So I like to have
get-togethers that save both! Have a wrapping party -- moms get
together in the afternoon or evening and wrap their gifts.
Everybody brings wrapping paper, bows, tags, tape and scissors, as
well as their gifts, of course! The hostess plays Christmas music and
provides coffee and maybe cookies or snacks -- but this is NOT a meal.
It's a chance to get together and visit while accomplishing a needed
task.
If you DO have a get-together that includes a meal, make it a
carry-in, with everybody bringing a dish to share. The hostess can
provide the dishes, silverware, etc, or you can specify that each
guest bring his or her own. I'm going to such a carry-in next week. I
don't mind a bit making a big pan of cavatini, because I will get to
sample dishes made by several other folks!
~ Continued ~
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It's also very gratifying to include helping others
in any get-together at the holidays. Get a group together and go
caroling around the neighborhood, or at a hospital or nursing home
(call ahead to find out the best time to
come). Or simply ask your guests to bring an item of canned goods to
your party -- have a box set up by the door, and then after the
party, deliver the box to a local food pantry or homeless shelter.
Most people want to give -- they just want somebody else to organize
it!" ~ Becki in Indiana
Editor's Note: Thanks to everyone who took the time to share
his or her ideas!
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