Chic a la cheap (casual) holiday entertaining

Jeepers, I'm exhausted. I haven't entertained in months, and here I go doing it two days in a row.

How does a Grunge Queen entertain, you ask? You know the answer to that: la chic a la cheap.

First, grab a few bottles of wine, some plain fizzy water, and some orange fizzy water. Toss some vintage wine glasses (found a la thrift store) on a thrifted silver platter to get in the festive spirit.

Next: seasonal tangerines pop against as thrifted blue bowl made in Italy, while easy peasies like pretzels look almost elegant in a cobalt blue bowl I've had for years.

The dip at the front with the cheese on top, btw, is inexpensive and easy and people go bonkers over it: simply mix in a package of (low fat) cream cheese and sour cream and spread it on a platter. Pour some salsa over that, and some chopped tomatoes and red peppers over that, and finish it off with shredded cheddar and tortilla chips for dipping. Done in 10 minutes!

These no-bake cookies can be whipped up in the same amount of time - and they're real crowd pleasers too. They may not look as elegant on a chilled cut glass vintage platter (thrifted for $3.99) as fancy canapes, perhaps, but try one and you'll go back for more.

Just bring a cup of milk, half a pound butter, 2 cups sugar (I use one cup) and 6 tablespoons cocoa to a slow boil, reduce heat and add a dash vanilla extract, a cup shredded coconut and three cups uncooked oats. Roll em in balls and chill. Voila! Easy peasy entertaining for casual get-togethers (the only ones in my books).