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Avoid overspending for your holiday party. You may pride yourself on being the host with the most, but keep in mind that you can throw a great party without breaking the bank and incurring the guilt that comes along with it.
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Shop at discount stores for party supplies and holiday decor or make the decor yourself. Believe it or not, discount stores, even stores such as Big Lots and 99-cent stores, are great places for holiday party decor and supplies for cheap. For discounts, thoroughly hunt online and through catalogs and ads you get in the mail to find the best deals on decor from your favorite stores. You may have to break up your online ordering or drive around to gather different pieces from different places, but it will save you money.
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Be creative with a fun party theme, such as elves' toy factory, to make your party memorable rather than trying to wow guests with costly lavishness. Focus on stellar presentation, such as dressing up budget-friendly lasagna with a lovely serving platter you already have. Simply decorate it with holly and gold glitter.
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Step 4
Create spaces for activity. Set up an accent table with inexpensive but eye-catching shiny gold and silver origami paper and ornament hangers so that guests can make their own take-home ornaments. If executed with thought and creativity, interactive party activities can make up for scaling down on the expensive catering, homemade dishes, decor or gift bags.
Keep the Peace
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Meditate or do some cardio or relaxation exercises before the parties. Prepare your mind and body to stay calm and collected if you have family or friends who like to feud at holiday parties and you're easily swept up into the storm.
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Don't let yourself get provoked by any type of negativity from other party guests and you won't suffer the pangs of guilt that result from unchecked words or actions.
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Take advantage of the opportunity to spread the popular holiday sentiments of joy and togetherness, rather than impeding on them.
Give Holiday Party Gifts With Meaning
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Give sincerely. The most meaningful gifts are not always the most expensive. Giving a gift that you know is special gives you more joy and peace of mind than giving expensive holiday party bags or gifts meant only to impress.
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Individualize the party gift bags or presents that you exchange rather than overspending on generic items.
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Think through the gifts you give so that you don't have to deal with the guilt of watching your best friend Tommy frown when he opens the fruit cake you got him.
Avoid Holiday Weight Gain
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Stay active. It's easy to get so wrapped up in all that needs to be done for the festivities that you feel there's no time for exercise. Where there's a will there's a way. Make that extra 15 minutes---just find it, it's there---to jog a few blocks or do some yoga.
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Practice the virtue of moderation at holiday parties and dinners. You may love your grandma's famous fudge or your best friend's spiked eggnog, but savoring, enjoying and appreciating does not equate to overdoing it. If you remind yourself that it's well enough just to have had some, you won't feel the need to over-stuff and have to confront the guilt when you can't zip up your favorite jeans.
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Practice portion control. Don't have full servings of everything. There's no harm in trying all of the impressive, delectable looking and smelling dishes and cocktails. Trying and enjoying in good portion is more gratifying than devouring when it comes to numerous food options that lend to overeating.
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- Refer to trusted sources for good party ideas if you need help executing your guilt-free holiday party.
- Refer to trusted sources for good party ideas if you need help executing your guilt-free holiday party.
