Not another dinner party, please!

The dilemma: Having a dinner party is such a "big deal" and the cost can easily spiral out of control. You want to spend time with friends but in the upcoming holiday season you don't need the extra stress or expense. This time of year everyone is so busy they can't attend a dinner party anyway. Besides, some evenings you just want to turn into a pumpkin by 8 o'clock.

Can you relate?

So, here's my solution. Catch your guests off guard with a unique invitation they won't want to refuse.

Here are five unusual ideas for holiday get-togethers. There's only one thing nicer than having guests and that's having them go home at a decent hour! Bliss!

Let's have continental breakfast!

Have the gals over for a light breakfast and then plan to go out. Go shopping, plan to wrap gifts, go to a gallery, or just go home! Bliss! Serve pastries, fruit and coffee.

Come for Brunch!

Prepare a breakfast casserole with a few sides. Have juice and coffee. Maybe mimosas? Brunch is a lovely excuse to drink alcohol with breakfast. To be sure brunch doesn't turn into dinner you'll need an exit strategy. Organize an activity that gets your guests out of your house. Let it be known your family has afternoon plans. "Time to go see the matinee." They can come along or just go home! Bliss!

Souper Easy Supper!

Put some soup in the crock pot before you go to work and have your buddies come straight from work on a weeknight. This is minimal effort entertaining. Just add some crusty bread and jug of wine and them. Phrase the casual invitation as "swing by my place for a quick bowl of soup on your way home."

Because it's a weeknight everyone will enjoy the early supper and then they can go home! Bliss!

DIY Movie Matinee!

Who says movies are only for evenings? This is especially good for families with children. Have a showing of a holiday favorite complete with popcorn in the afternoon. Darken the room for a movie theater experience. This is very useful as a "drop off your kids for the afternoon" party so other parents can do a little last-minute holiday preparation without the kiddies. Talk about being a Diva hero! It's good for the budget, tell your guests to come "after lunch" and make it potluck if you want them to stay for dinner. Or they can just go home! Bliss!

Boxed Lunch Surprise!

Tell a friend you're picking them up for lunch and surprise them with a homemade picnic. Go to the park and enjoy the autumn sights. Just be sure to bring an extra coat or a lap blanket if you're not sure if your friend will be dressed warmly. Pack lovely goodies like hot soup in a thermos and warm sandwiches wrapped in foil. Bring hot cocoa and cookies for dessert. Then take them back to work or home! Bliss!

A little creativity comes to the rescue for minimal stress holiday entertaining. Now, let's have a party!

Frugal Festivities contributed by Patti Diamond from Divas On A Dime – Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! www.divasonadime.com. Join us on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom.