Share the Load

• Make the meal a group effort. As the host, offer to provide the turkey and drinks. Then divvy up the side dishes and desserts among the guests so everyone can contribute.
• Know someone else planning an event? Combine the two events into one. You cut the hosting duties, the cost and the preparation time in half.
• Instead of hosting one large dinner party, have several smaller dinner parties over the course of a few months. You can entertain all the people you wish in a more intimate setting without breaking the bank.