Hoping to avoid the rowdy New Year’s Eve crowd but still want to ring in 2016 with some flourish? Skip the steep bar tabs, mediocre prix fixe menus and endless club queues by hosting a party instead. A laid-back celebration is a welcome reprieve from the chaos of the holiday season and offers a budgetary break for not only the hosts, but for the guests as well.

That’s not to say hosting a party is cheap. In fact, costs can quickly get out of hand without proper planning, so follow these expert steps to throw a fun and festive New Year’s Eve bash on a budget.

Step 1: Pick a preferred time.

New Year’s parties are unique in that everyone stays until midnight to welcome the new year the moment it arrives. This caveat creates a challenge for hosts and hostesses. “If you invite folks for dinner, inevitably you’re spending more,” says Marla Rosner, co-author of “Snob Free Wine Tasting Companion: Wine Smart in a Day.” She adds that it’s not easy keeping people entertained until midnight. Rosner suggests kicking off the event as late as 9 p.m. and only serve desserts. Lisa Waddington, blogger for DealiciousMom.com, agrees. “Start the party late enough so that folks eat dinner prior to arriving,” she says. “Then all you need is a sumptuous dessert table.”

While staying up late is the goal for many on New Year’s Eve, it doesn’t represent the only way to host a party. April Masini, a relationship and etiquette expert who pens advice for the Ask April online column, suggests throwing a pre-party from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. “It’s a lovely way to have friends get together to celebrate way before the ball drops in any city,” she says. “You won’t be on the hook for a lot of food or booze because the limited timeframe doesn’t call for a lot of hosting.”

And parents will be interested in this option from Netflix: The streaming titan will offer several kids’ shows featuring a “countdown to midnight,” which can be played at any point during the evening. This means parents can send their kids to bed well before midnight and children won’t feel left out of the festivities.

Step 2. Decide on drinks.

It’s hard to toast the new year without a cocktail (or mocktail) in hand. Paul Moyer, founder of SavingFreak.com, suggests a bring-your-own-beverage format since it offers cost savings and something extra. “When people bring beverages to share, you get a great variety and usually try something you may not have otherwise,” he says.

If you’re hosting a large group, buying booze in bulk is likely your best bet. “Most retailers will offer a certain percentage off your wine purchase when buying a full case,” says Brett Vankoski, co-founder of the wine brand 90+ Cellars. Plus, Vankoski says, you can usually mix and match wines for the best value.

Champagne is a popular libation for New Year’s Eve but typically costs more than beer and wine. Many experts suggest a champagne cocktail to offer a bit of bubbly without blowing up your budget. “I love having a signature cocktail,” says Tracy Memoli, founder of the food and travel blog SuiteSavory.com. “I like to serve champagne and pomegranate punch which can be made with inexpensive bottles of champagne,” Memoli says.

Step 3. Simplify the snacks.

Parties that start late in the evening do not require a robust dinner menu. Still, it’s important to serve snacks to accompany alcoholic beverages and keep munchies at bay. Cherie Lowe, founder of QueenofFree.net, offers an interesting pizza-serving hack to reduce costs. “You should opt to cut your pizza in the party-cut style,” or small squares instead of traditional triangles. “Guests will be less likely to bite off more than they can chew and your pizza will stretch further,” Lowe says.

Requiring guests to create their own snacks offers an added activity to the evening’s events. Waddington suggests popping popcorn all night for an easy, tasty treat. “Let guests serve themselves and add their own toppings: garlic powder, nutritional yeast, cajun seasoning or Old Bay seasoning,” she says.

Step 4. Opt for inexpensive favors and activities.

What’s a New Year’s Eve party without noisemakers and party hats? Broadcasting the ball drop on your television doesn’t cost anything, and party supplies needn’t be expensive. Scott Allen Turner, host of iTunes show Financial Rock Star, likes the dollar store or Target’s dollar section for inexpensive favors. “We always supply guests with hats and kazoos,” he says. “And sometimes crazy sunglasses or other weird novelties that might say ‘2016.’”

Benjamin K. Glaser, features editor of DealNews.com, suggests making an activity out of New Year’s decor and supplies. “Put out some seasonally-appropriate craft supplies and tell attendees to have at it,” Glaser says. “You’ll be amazed how quickly adults get absorbed in the throwback arts-and-crafts.”

Ultimately, New Year’s Eve doesn’t have to cost much to be memorable. In fact, getting a head start on your resolution to save money by hosting a budget-friendly bash seems like the perfect way to usher in 2016.

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How to Host a New Year’s Party on a Budget originally appeared on usnews.com