Everyone loves parties. There’s one for every occasion; birthday parties, graduation parties, house warming parties, Christmas parties, the list goes on.
Whether you’re a ‘the bigger the better’ type or want a small and cozy party with a few loved ones, you might think its success depends on the amount of money you’re willing to shell out.
Planning and executing a successful party on a budget can be a difficult challenge with all things said and done. And with every party, there’s so much that you need to take care of. The food, music, decorations, and the right people will bring in that party buzz.
There’s also wastage to think about since many of the decorations and leftover food lying around once the party is over will end up being thrown out. You might as well be throwing a couple of hundred dollars in the bin.
5 ways to throw a thrilling party on a budget
But no matter how expensive things get, you wouldn’t want to give your friends, family, or colleagues a disappointing experience, especially as a host. So what’s the secret to getting the best of both worlds and throwing the perfect party on a budget?
Let’s find out.
1. Save money as a host ahead of time
If you know you’re not going to have unlimited cash to throw around for your party, start thinking of saving money as a host ahead of time. What you can do is put aside some money a month or two in advance so that your daily spending routine is good.
Splurging in one go and being left with peanuts after the party is over and done with is not the way to go if you, especially when you’re unsure of the party’s total costs. This will also give you the time you need to compare prices when you’re out to party shopping and prep accordingly.
Breaking down your financial burden into smaller multiple outings will save you the headache in the long run, and you won’t have to settle for less and end up overspending on bad quality resources in a hurry when the party date starts getting closer.
2. Keep your invitations simple
Do you know how expensive printing can be these days? That’s why it’s not worth it to go out of your way to get paper invitations unless it’s a wedding or formal event. Especially now, in the age of the internet, there are numerous creative ways to send e-cards online.
If your party has tons of people, though, you can also send out a Facebook invite or create an event page/flyer and have it sent out to all the guests through any social media channel.
It’ll be quick, easy, and an effective way to get responses and figure out how many guests will be able to make it so you can budget things like food or party gifts accordingly.
3. Fish for decor on a budget
The urge to splurge when you come across fancy shiny decor while shopping is irresistible for sure, but this is something you have to be smart about. Take a trip to the dollar store, and you’ll be surprised at the decor options you might find for a meager price.
Think of it this way. You are probably not going to use the same decor again. Also, there’s a high chance things can get messy at a party. So it’s better not to spend too much on something that will see the trash can after a few hours.
You might even find things like plates and cutlery around your house that you can use if it’s a smaller gathering. For bigger ones, disposable items are the way to go, and there are plenty of cute vintage options you can find at budget stores both offline and online.
There are plenty of more ideas like this that you can come up with to replace pricey decor with quirky budget ideas – you just have to let yourself think outside of the box.
4. Make your own food
No matter which cheap place you find, buying in bulk is going to cost you a lot more than if you just get yourself to the kitchen and put a little extra effort to make all the party food yourself.
So if you know how to cook and are willing to put aside a little extra time, you can figure out a lot of fun and easy ways to make a bunch of party snacks and dishes that your guests are sure to love.
Also, you can save on groceries too, if you’re careful about it, which would serve as a bonus!
5. Be your own DJ
Have faith in your music taste and be the party-pumping DJ you need. All you need is a smartphone and some speakers; tune into applications like iHeartRadio, which allow you to make your own radio stations tailored by mood, similar artists, and other options.
If you have a little extra money, you can get a premium membership just for the occasion to have an ad-free experience – but a 15-second break every 30 minutes without it wouldn’t be the end of the world either. It’s your choice.
