With the holiday season in full swing and with so much to accomplish, many of us start to stress out trying to find the time and mostly, the finances to get together with our friends and family.  Of course between gift buying, décor and possible travel expenses the cost of good cheer can really add up but take heart, hosting a gathering at your home does not need to break the bank.  Expensive dinner parties are not your only option for holiday get-togethers.  With just a little creativity, you can have some festive fun with your friends while taking care of holiday business at the same time. 

The season offers many unique opportunities to bring your loved ones together with stress free holiday entertaining.  Why not host a Cookie Exchange?  Invite your friends to pick out a favorite cookie and bake off a few dozen to bring to your home.  Have them email you their recipe when they RSVP.  Gather all the recipes into a little “Holiday Cookie Cook Book” as a take home favor.  Serve coffee, tea, hot chocolate and maybe mulled cider or a punch and let the fun begin!  By evenings end, you and your friends will have a nice assortment of holiday cookies without all the work and expense of having to bake such a variety on your own. 

Another favorite is a gift-wrapping party.  With little more then wine, cheese and crackers, you and your friends will laugh and sing along to holiday music as you wrap your gifts together, swapping paper, ribbons and funny stories of holidays gone by.  This is always great fun! 

When we lived in New York City, our friends used to look forward to our annual Christmas Tree Decorating Party.  The night before the get-together, we would put up the tree, weave in the lights and lay out all the boxes of delicate ornaments.  The evening of the party, our guests would show up with a potluck dish in a throwaway container and stack them on the folding table in the corner of the room.  We would all sing carols as we adorned the tree with balls, bells, garland and collectables.  Once the tree was finished, we would pack-up the potluck meals and take them down to the park to feed the homeless.  It was a great reminder of what the holidays are truly about and put everyone in the spirit of the season.   

So as you can see, with just a little imagination you can create wonderful memories and bring back the magic of the holidays for your loved ones. 

Happy Holidays to all our friends, family and followers and may you all be blessed with peace, love, good health and joy for the holidays and everyday!