Ideas to Save Money When Planning Parties
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Finger Food for Your Themed Parties
Building of relationships and catching up with friends or family members are the main reasons for holding parties. With this purpose in mind, you do not have to feel obligated to spend a bomb on each party you organise! Sure, food helps to break the ice and serves as a conversation starter, but it does not have to be gourmet food with state-of-the-art decorations all the time. Here’s how you can plan a fantastic party on a low budget.
Keep your budget in mind when planning a party
All of us love entertaining guests and would like to throw great parties. We get very excited when drawing up the list of guests, but when we realise the number of things that we need to put together for a successful party, our enthusiasm starts waning. There are umpteen things to be done starting with the invitations, arranging decorations, catering or food delivery, choice of drinks and many more. You can however make things easier by first considering the budget you can afford to spend on the party.
Make sure you plan around your budget
This is the first vital step and you should not proceed further without getting this out of the way. Decide very clearly how much you wish to spend and have the discipline not to exceed it under any circumstances. This budget amount will now be the basis on which you start planning for the party in terms of the items, decorations and so on. It is a top-down approach that works pretty well.
Do not splurge on sending invitations
When you have the convenience of the internet, why should you waste money on mail and cards in sending those invitations? Sending invitations by email for such informal events is acceptable in most cultures. The other advantage in sending invitations by email is that you can get responses faster and manage them better.
Commercially available party cutlery is not necessary
It is true that relatively inexpensive disposable paper cups and plates along with other cutlery quickly add to your costs. You can avoid such expenditure by making use of your usual dinner cutlery and glassware. You need not be embarrassed about using cutlery of different designs when serving guests and need to look at its functionality more than the aesthetics. If you are really short of cutlery, you can always borrow from your neighbor or relatives and not think much of it. One day, you may be able to help them out for something they might require as well. Moreover, by not using these paper cups and plates, you are contributing your bit towards a greener environment.
Do not spend on ready-mades
Though it is always tempting and convenient to pick up those nice and neatly wrapped pre-cut vegetables and fruits, they do cost extra and that is money you can save by purchasing fruits and vegetables in bulk and cutting them yourself. This way they also tend to last longer and fresher as you will be cutting them close to the day of the event. Purchasing grocery items by your self also gives you the opportunity to pick up the in season produce and you will also get better deals on them.
Go for staples that give you value for money
Opting for potatoes, pasta and rice as staples for your salads, main dishes and other dishes will not only be welcomed by your guests but is also easy on your pocket. After all, a baked ziti or potato salad is well loved by most people.
Try to organize a community party
You can also try contacting your friends to make a contribution towards the party and they are likely to do so. You can do it saying that you are organizing a Block, Potluck or Progressive Dinner party and that is one more way of saving costs. This way you can also get their involvement in the party.
Save on hard liquor costs
Usually in casual parties, soft drinks are served by the host and guests normally bring their own hard drinks. If you do not want to request your guests to bring along their liquor, then consider ordering delivery of other alcoholic drinks such as beer, wine or champagne to save on alcohol costs. You can also think of providing a seasonal punch as this would be economical and a different sort of beverage which your guests are sure to enjoy.
Think of theme parties that are affordable
Theme parties also enable you to save on food and drink costs and are an ideal way to camouflage the fact that you do not wish to spend too much money on a conventional party. Some of the popular and cost saving theme parties are:
• Tacos or “popiah” parties where guests make them to their own liking
• A party where only desserts would be served
• An Italian theme with Pastas only
• An ice-cream and milk shake only party