Throwing a Party on a Budget

Having a party is one of the great moments in life, especially if it’s a good one. But if you’re budget is tight, you might be afraid that you won’t be able to afford throwing an amazing get together. The good news is that’s not the case. Below you’ll find money saving tips for various aspects of the planning process that can help you be an amazing host without spending the most.

Location, Location, Location

If your apartment or dorm is too small for a great party, you’ve got to find another option. Try to track down a friend who has a roomy basement or backyard that could be used for the event.

If that doesn’t work, consider checking out your public parks. These can be great choices and won’t cost you a dime in terms of location rental. Do remember that you usually can’t serve alcohol in these places, although people can bring their own. If you do have to rent a location, ask each person to pay a small amount of money to help cover the costs.

Entertainment

No party is going to exceptional unless you have some eye-popping entertainment. Booking a band or even a DJ can be expensive. Even renting a karaoke machine for the evening can be costly. The good news is there are some options. First, talk to your friends who have portable computers and large music selections. Add a couple of speakers and put someone in charge of the iTunes and you’ll have an affordable DJ.

Another idea is to bring in some video game systems. If you’re having the party in a home, hook them up to the biggest television and bring along games like Dance Dance Revolution, Karaoke Revolution, Guitar Hero, or Rock Band. Any game that is going to combine music, interactivity, and fun is going to be a good idea for cheap party entertainment.

Refreshments

Now that you’ve got a place and some entertainment, you’ll need to feed the hungry masses if you want to be a beloved host. The good news is most people aren’t coming to the party for a sit-down dinner or anything fancy.

All you really need are some bowls of chips and pretzels. These can be purchased in bulk at affordable prices, especially if you avoid name brands. If you want something more meal-oriented, choose a cheap meal like hot dogs or hamburgers. Let guests bring some side dishes and desserts of their own if you want but most of your guests would probably prefer to keep it simple.

And don’t forget the beverages. You’re always going to be better choosing a BYOB approach since alcohol is never cheap. You should, however, offer some non-alcoholic options, such as soda. (for non-drinkers like me! ~ debtkid)

Tagged as: BYOB party, cheap entertainment, cheap party, party planning