Tips for Hosting a Christmas Open House

Are you wishing for a little time to slow down and visit with your friends, family or neighbors this Christmas season? Does throwing a Christmas party seem like too much work and just too expensive? A simple, fun and budget-friendly alternative can be a Christmas open house. There are many advantages to hosting a Christmas open house and here are a few tips to help you get some perspective and get started on a fun Christmas party alternative. Let's call it the ABC's of a Christmas open house but this year Santa is bringing you A through H.

A is for apple cider simmering in a slow cooker. Pull out the Christmas mugs and offer your guests some really warm hospitality. No candle can ever outdo the smell of cinnamon cider in the slow cooker.

B is for baked goods or apples and Brie. An open house doesn't require a meal or a large spread. B is for bite size goodies where a napkin will do.

C is for Christmas cards. How nice it will be to hand out your Christmas cards in person to the friends, family and neighbors that come to your open house. C is also for carols. Load up the iPod or visit the library to stock up on your favorite Christmas music.

D is for decorations. After you've pulled out your Christmas finest, fill in with finishing touches like pine cones, red ribbons and candles.

E is for evergreens. A fresh wreath here and a swag of evergreens there, and soon it's beginning to look and smell a lot like Christmas.

F is fellowship. You've got the cider brewing and the music playing. You've got the candles burning and the tree lights twinkling. Keep your open house simple so you can sit and visit with each and every one of your Christmas open house guests.

G is for gifts. Your real gift to your Christmas open house guests is a chance to visit in a casual atmosphere but you can include a small token for each family, whether it is a recipe card or a handmade Christmas ornament.

H is for hours. While there are no hard and fast rules, open house hours are usually from 1 to 4 or 2 to 5. This makes it clearly after lunch but before dinner and the nice thing about an open house is that it really does give busy people permission to feel free to just stop by for a few minutes and visit.