So you’ve invited a whole bunch of people to your house for a holiday party, and you’re suddenly having second thoughts about the whole affair. Don’t panic – read our tips for stress free holiday entertaining!

Try to let go of any perfectionist tendencies you may have and know that the most important thing about a party is having fun, not being stressed.

Here are some great ideas for minimizing those concerns and enjoying this holiday season: 5 tips for stress free Christmas entertaining.

5 Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining

1. Plan the menu in advance. Make a checklist of everything you need to do and buy. Don’t wait until the last minute to start crossing things off the list!2. Prepare reliable recipes you have made before. This is not the time to cook anything too time-consuming or ambitious. If you’re going to make something for the first time, leave enough time before the big event for a practice run.

3. Don’t be shy about accepting help. When people ask what they can bring, tell them.

4. Take care of yourself. Make sure you get enough rest and eat well. You don’t need to get sick or feel run-down right before a big party.

5. Take a deep breath. Picture all the fun you’re going to have when the party is going on—and just think how relaxed you’ll feel once it’s over!

For additional ideas, recipes, menus and tips, check out Kraft Foods’ Entertaining Guide and guide on how to throw a Party in a Pinch. But, most importantly, remember to relax and have fun—and both you and your guests will enjoy the holiday cheer!

You don’t need to spend a fortune to have a great party. By investing your time and being creative, you can cut costs and plan a fun frugal party that doesn’t leave you broke.  Just follow our tips below for party planning on a budget!

Budget Party Planning: Location

The first step in successful budget party planning is choosing a location for your event. When selecting a location, avoid costly catering facilities and restaurants. If possible, host the event in your own home or backyard.

If you live in an apartment, see if they have a community clubhouse or gazebo that they rent out for the day. Some even keep a supply of tables and chair on hand for such occasions that they include in the rental fee or offer at a reasonable rate.

Budget Party Planning: Food

When it comes to food, make as much as you can yourself. Catering costs can really add up, especially since many places charge on a per person rate. Buy as much as you can in bulk quantities.

Enlist the help of friends to prepare food or depending on the formality of the party, ask each family member to bring a prepared dish.

For children’s parties, avoid individual juice boxes and opt for larger juice containers and paper cups.

Budget Party Planning: Decorating

If you plan on decorating with a lot of balloons, you can save money by renting a helium tank and purchasing packages of balloons rather than ordering balloon bundles at a party store. Just be sure to blow up the balloons within 4 hours of the event because they will fall within 12 hours.

If you need to rent tables and chairs, check out your local church, school or community center. These places often rent out their equipment in exchange for a small donation fee, significantly less than regular party supply rental stores.

Budget Party Planning: Timing

By hosting your party during lunch hours rather than dinnertime, you can save a decent amount of money. Lunch menus are lighter fare, and guests will not expect an elaborate meal during afternoon hours.

If you are having an evening event, serve food in buffet style rather than planning out sit down dinner entrees. This will save you both time and money.

Party planning does not have to be stressful and expensive. By starting early and developing a clear cut plan that you stick to, you can prepare ahead of time, reduce expenses and avoid frustration.

Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography.  Get more Frugal Friday at Life as Mom.

With our money saving bbq tips you can host a fun backyard bbq on the cheap, and your guests will have a great time regardless of how little you spend!

The most expensive item you have to buy for a barbecue is some type of bbq grill.  If you don’t have a bbq pit in your backyard, you will need to purchase a grill. The good news is that you will only have to make this purchase once!  This can range from less expensive tabletop units (cheap) to a small charcoal grill (medium) to a full scale propane tank grill (spendy), the choice is yours. Regardless of what you choose, it is a great investment that you will use repeatedly and get your money’s worth.

How to Save Money on Your BBQ

Charcoal:  If you use a charcoal grill or fire pit, look for charcoal sales in stores. Stock up on cheap charcoal when offered at a low price and store them until you need them. Check circulars and online coupons for specials at grocery stores and even hardware stores.

Food:  When purchasing food, buy large quantities of less expensive items such as hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken pieces. Buy cheap meats in bulk at wholesale stores or watch for local sales at local supermarkets. If you want to offer more expensive items such as steak or pinwheels, purchase less of them so they can be served as an accompaniment to the other items.

Since you are providing the meat, it is perfectly acceptable to ask each of your guests to bring additional side items such as salads, breads and buns, chips, watermelon, condiments, deserts, ice cream and beverages. They will be more than happy to bring a dish, just make sure you keep a log of who is bringing what to avoid ending up with duplicate items.

Supplies and Decorations:  Avoid the temptation to purchase festive barbeque themed napkins and paper plates (these will just end up costing extra and will be in the trash can 30 minutes after the food is served).

You can save money by using your regular household kitchen dishes instead of buying disposables. If you do not have enough for the amount of people expected to attend, purchase some standard, inexpensive white paper plates and a cheap roll of paper towels. A bbq is a laid back, casual gathering and nobody is expecting anything fancy.

Use regular silverware if you have enough on hand. If not, ask friends or neighbors to borrow some of theirs for the day.

If you must have some kind of decoration, consider buying inexpensive vinyl tablecloths at a superstore such as Walmart or Target.  You’ll be able to find tablecloths that are both fit for outdoor use and very cheap, usually in colorful patterns.  Use the tablecloths only on the food tables and you’ll provide a lot of color while eliminating the need for more decoration.

Seating:  If you do not have enough seating, ask your guests to bring their own folding chairs. Most people have at least one set of outdoor camping chairs that they keep in their garage or car. People would probably rather sit in their own comfortable chairs rather than on a stacking chair or picnic bench anyway.  If you have a friend who will not be able to attend the barbeque, one option is to borrow their camping chairs in advance so they can be set up before guests arrive.

Have fun when planning your party, just remember to follow our money-saving barbecue tips to keep it cheap and simple.  Let us know in the comments – what are your great tips for having a great bbq on the cheap?

Check out Frugal Friday for more cheap summer tips.