Ten Tips for Low Cost Teen Christmas Parties

Around every corner there is always something else that you have to spend money on when things are already tight for the Christmas season. Your teen at home is insisting on a Christmas party and you don't know how to fund it. Listed below are ten tips for a low cost teen Christmas party.

1. Invitations are a must but before you even think invitations, set a limit on guests for your teen. That way you know what you're up against. When you have the count, get on the computer with your teen and make up some unique invites. This is low cost and your teen will have invitations as individual as they are.

2. Instead of buying a ton of food to feed everyone, make the Christmas party a potluck. Inform everyone in their invites to bring something. If they want to go buy something from the store that's up to them. Food and drinks can get costly for a party especially one for a house full of teenagers.

3. A quick and low cost way to make sure there is going to be enough for everyone to drink at the party is Koolaid. You can pick up several packets for under a buck and have gallons of juice on hand.

4. For paper plates, cups and eating utensils stop by your local dollar store. You are guaranteed to get low cost items for the party there. During Christmas time you can even find them in the holiday or season theme.

5. To protect your table (or hide it) use a solid colored sheet from the linen closet as a table cloth. Once you have all the food and drinks set up on it, no one will even know the difference.

6. Low cost decorations for your teens Christmas party can be found around the house. See what you already have to use. Chances are that if the party is close to Christmas, your house is already decorated inside and out.

7. Teens love music and you have several choices for what could be playing at the Christmas party. There are many low cost or completely free options to supply their tastes. If it's all Christmas music, there are radio stations that play it non-stop during the holidays. Another rout that is commercial free is your cable. Depending on your cable package, you should have a section that is all music stations. Any music that your teen thinks they may want to have you will be able to find it.

8. Low cost game ideas for the Christmas party can come from your teen. Does your teen and friends like to dance? If they do, have a dancing contest or dance off. You have the music and the talent on the guest list so why not? It doesn't require any extra supplies and they'll have a great time. Another idea involving music is to have a karaoke contest with classic Christmas tunes.

Use things you have around the house like wrapping paper and boxes. Have the kids team up and only using one hand each they have to race to wrap the fastest. Keep an open mind for silliness and you'll have plenty of low cost games for your teens Christmas party.

9. Prizes for games should be discussed with your teen. No need to embarrass them by giving them childish rewards that you would have used when they were in grade school. Low cost prizes include cheap bath salts and soaps for the girls. These can be found in the hygiene section of stores where travel supplies are kept. For the guys gag gifts will go over very well. These can be found pretty cheap at any party supply store. You're bound to have a few class clowns.

10. Instead of having gift bags for everyone, make it a Secret Santa gift exchange. Set a price limit that is within the teens spending range. Everyone that is coming to the party draws a name at random then brings a gift. This way everyone will get to leave with something from the party.

With these ten tips for a low cost teen Christmas party you won't have to compromise your holiday shopping expenses for them to have a good time.