Have budget, will still party

MarketWatch (MCT) - Ten ways to entertain well at home without the extravagance

CHICAGO _ A nasty economy has a way of putting a damper on spending but it doesn't have to completely squash the spirit of holiday entertaining.

Given the tumult of the markets, the credit crunch and the growing list of those without jobs, extravagance is out this year. Consumers are hunkering down, turning to old-fashioned standbys and a few creative tricks to keep the merry in Christmas.

"People are looking to scale back a little bit and do more with less," said Debi Lily, who calls herself chief eventeur of A Perfect Event, her Chicago-based event-planning company. Her client list ranges from Oprah Winfrey to Bulgari to the University of Chicago. "Many of my customers don't think it's appropriate to throw a large, fancy event this year _ even if they can afford it. They just don't think it sends the right message."

Expect to see a lot more low-budget entertaining wherever you go this season: Buffets stocked with hors d'oeuvres from Sam's Club and budget wines from Costco are hip. That theme will carry the day at home too.

Trend watcher Faith Popcorn, for one, is going to resurrect the tried-and-true potluck supper for her home entertaining this year. "We used to have the most elegant, most chic, most divine holiday parties," she said. "But when you're on a budget you have to look to your friends to help and pitch in," she said.

Sarah Carey, the food editor at Martha Stewart Living, sees more and more consumers looking to do things themselves rather than paying a premium to have them done. "Everybody knows that if you cut up your own chicken you're going to save money," she said. Carey co-authored Martha Stewart's latest book "Cooking School," with hundreds of how-to items and pictures that teach home cooks everything from trussing a chicken to steaming asparagus to sharpening knives.

As with any party, Carey stressed, planning is key: Get organized, make lists and start early. Here are 10 tips from her, Lily and other experts on how to throw a stunning party on a less-than-spectacular budget:

Skip the sit-down dinner and opt for buffets of simple but tasty appetizers and dishes. The less elaborate the meal is the less it will cost. But don't overdo it on the appetizers, Carey said, because that will run up the grocery bill and your stress level.

Don't be afraid of the pot-luck. Make one main dish and ask guests_particularly family members_to bring sides and desserts.

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Take an in-depth inventory of your cabinets, freezer and refrigerator. You could create a menu around what you have handy.

When shopping, use coupons and look for discounts. This is part of the starting-early strategy, giving you more than a few days to shop sales. Look for discounts online at sites such as coupons.com. Grocery stores push big sales of baking ingredients and traditional foods in the weeks ahead of the holidays. Warehouse stores like Sam's Club, Costco Wholesale and BJ's Wholesale Club are one-stop shopping places for bulk foods and discounted wines and liquors.

Shop dollar stores too. Dollar Tree, 99 Cents Only and Dollar General sell everything from spices and cake mixes to wine glasses and paper products, all on the cheap.

Look for gimmicks from major retailers that offer short-cuts and discounts. BJ's, for example, has put together a menu for 20 people that costs less than $100.

Cook and prepare as much as you can yourself. A home-cooked pan of vodka sauce and penne cost about a quarter of one that is catered or store-bought. The same is true for dips and cheese balls. Carey created three flavored cheese balls from one base recipe.

Serve a special cocktail rather than stocking a full bar. Lily likes a champagne bar with a rose, a sparkling wine and a Prosecco, all of which cost about $10 a bottle. Carey suggested a cranberry martini that is easy to make and won't leave you with a dozen half-filled bottles of alcohol. And don't forget nonalcoholic beverages.

When decorating, turn to nature for holiday inspiration. Lily suggests spray-painting pine cones or acorns to add a bit of sparkle to wreaths and centerpieces. "Make a bold statement with mass and texture," she said. Then add a satin ribbon as a finishing touch. And use dishes instead of paper plates. It's tempting to buy heavy paper plates and plastic silver when entertaining large crowds, but cleaning up a pile of dishes afterwards saves a pile of money.

Search for low-cost and even free entertainment. Maybe that pianist or guitar-playing friend will play a few tunes during the party. High schools are full of talented musicians who would be happy to play at a party for considerably less than the professional. And don't forget to create that play list holiday music for an iPod. Plenty of radio stations also program holiday music you can tune to.

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