5 Ways To Plan An Affordable Party

Having a party is a great way to take a step back and enjoy time with loved ones. And while planning a party is fun and exciting, it can also feel stressful. There is a lot of planning, spending and last-minute organizing that goes into a successful party.

It’s your party, so budget if you want to! This article will share 5 simple tips to plan a fun and affordable party for any festive occasion.

First, you will need to choose a day and time for the party. What is the occasion? Is this a small get together or is there a special holiday in mind? Will your party include a dinner or brunch

You will also want to keep your guests' prior commitments and schedules in mind. That means sending out your invites as soon as possible for your guests to easily RSVP and make the necessary arrangements to attend.

Once you schedule your date and time, it’s time to create the invitations. For tips and ideas on invitations, there are plenty websites like Pinterest for personal and creative DIY invitations. There are also free websites to send your invitations to your guest electronically.

Consider taking advantage of free social platforms like Facebook events. According to Money Crashers writer Jacqueline Curtis, you can also create simple invitations using websites like Evite.

”[Invitations are] free to send and allow your friends the option to instantly RSVP,” says Curtis.

And if your party is themed, you also have the freedom to make your invitations reflect the selected theme of the party.

Depending on how many guests are attending, the venue is important. You don’t want to go to a dinner party in a space the size of a closet.

One of the best free venues when it comes to space is outside, perhaps a park or your own backyard. Not to mention, this also helps save on party decorations. Just check to make sure there is a shelter or "option B" in case rainy weather lies ahead.

As pleasing as they are, decorations do not need to break the bank or burn a hole in your wallet. Instead, think about what resources you already have!

Repurposing and borrowing decorations from friends can make all the difference. For example, our team member Alaina recently had her housewarming and the theme of the party was "unboxing." She had a friend help her with decorating and they used all the moving boxes and boxes from old packages as part of the decorations. Since Alaina had recently painted, they also placed the paint cans in the boxes as decorations as well. That way, she didn’t need to make any additional purchases.

Alaina also had foldable tables and chairs, as well as wall décor, so she didn’t need to rent anything for a one-day event. And any dollar store comes in handy for last-minute items like napkins or paper plates.

Host A Potluck

Don’t let your guests off the hook. Trying to keep track of allergies, guest favorites, and when to make each dish is time consuming. An easy way to save money on food and drinks is by having a potluck. With a potluck, guests can bring different foods and dishes to feed plenty of people. It will let you worry less about investing in supplies and cleaning up.

No one can go wrong if they are supplying their own. For dessert, make your own cake or cupcakes. The average cost to make a cake from scratch is about five dollars and only takes an hour of your time.

Collaborate On Music

And when it comes to party music, you can be your own DJ. There are plenty of free music streaming apps that provide you with different music styles. Some of these apps include YouTube, Pandora and Spotify. Ask guests to add their favorite tunes to a playlist before the party starts.

Don’t worry about getting the latest tech to play the music either. No need for additional speakers, here are some quick and crafty ideas to turn your party level up.

And above everything else, have fun! This is a time to celebrate your party planning success. Relax, hang out, and enjoy your company. Your attendees will thank you for all the extra effort you made to get them together and have a great time.