The everyday demands of work and family are compounded by the demands that Christmas places upon us: There are cookies to make, Christmas tree sale bargains to hunt, and gifts to give and receive. This holiday season, businesses are buckling down on expenses. Companies are jumping ship on festivities, and a Fortune Magazine article at CNN’s Money website states that 24 percent of the companies they questioned are skipping holiday parties. Ten percent of these companies are quoted as skipping all festivities altogether. This makes holiday cheer in the working world much quieter than it’s been in years.

With the economy still down, more and more people are staying at home and throwing a party, rather than reserving tables in a restaurant, or renting a bar. What is true for businesses may also be true for home entertainers; rather than spend extravagantly on going out to eat people are finding ways to save on expenses by having parties at home. Too often, we feel that we don’t have enough time to plan and prepare for holiday parties. Whether you have two days or a week to get ready, here are tips on throwing holiday parties in a flash, without hurting the wallet or rushing against the clock.

A few things to do right away:

1. Review items around the home to see what you can use as decorations and in food setup.

2. Decide on a theme and send a festive party invitation via e-mail to prospective attendees.

3. Build a list of food and decorations needed.

Decorations

* Tabletop artificial Christmas trees are fast and easy centerpieces for the buffet table, and can be stored and reused for years of decoration. For a funky feel to your decor, try artificial Christmas trees in different colors scattered around the home. There’s no need to decorate them, as their color allows them to stand alone as decorative items.

* Scatter Polaroid cameras around your home, with extra film, and encourage guests to hang the photos on the undecorated artificial Christmas trees to serve as ornaments. This makes your Christmas trees truly personal, and guests participate in your holiday decorating without you having to lift a finger.

* Black and white can be a decorating and party theme. Use black and white ornaments to decorate the artificial Christmas trees and use black and white food and serving dishes.

Theme

* As stated earlier, black and white is an easy holiday party theme. Drape the table in a white tablecloth and complement with black plates, or vice versa. Purchase fabric or paper napkins at the nearest dollar store, where it is easiest to find black and white flatware and serving pieces. Black balloons and white crepe paper can also complement your theme. Black and white food ideas are white wine, white rum, black and white Russians for drinks. Brownies and butterscotch squares for dessert, white cream or black squid ink pasta for food.

* Holiday movie night. As guests will be concentrating on the movie and not the food, this is an easy party idea. Most people enjoy unwinding with a movie, and Christmas movies allow them to take a trip down memory lane. Christmas-themed candy is easy to obtain, and movie classics such as popcorn come in a variety of flavors and color during the holiday season, putting a more adult twist on childhood favorites. Holiday favorites like “A Christmas Carol” or “A Charlie Brown Christmas” will satisfy any crowd.

* Green holiday is a holiday party idea for groups who are mostly health conscious. Save on food costs and prep by buying raw vegetables already cut up from the grocery. Have guests create their own vinaigrette (a vegan option that is also low fat) by setting out balsamic vinegar, olive oil, peanut oil, sherry vinegar, with herbs and other aromatics like basil, garlic, rosemary, and have them mix it up. Serve vegetables in shot glasses to make them look more artful, and have space for the vinaigrette.

Things to do the day or night before the party:

1. Buy the food and decorate the house. Check RSVPs to know how much food to set out, and allow for five to eight people to forget to send their reply but still arrive.

2. Prepare all the food that can be made in advance.

Things to do on the day:

1. Set out all the food an hour before the guests arrive – just make sure this food won’t spoil before then.

2. Establish a beverage section with all needed ingredients, and have guests prepare their drinks to their preference, which cuts your prep time.

3. Set the mood with appropriate music.

For whatever reason you choose to throw a holiday party, whether the economy’s got you down, the boss has forgone festivities in favor of frugality, or just because you love parties but thought you didn’t have the time to plan one, you can bring Christmas cheer to friends and family. Holiday parties can be easy and fun to prepare, and following these tips can ensure a simple, festive party full of cheer.