Entertaining On A Budget: Hosting a Party Without Breaking the Bank
I absolutely LOVE having people over and if I’m being totally honest…I wish I could do it more often… and if I could force each and every one of my friends to participate in all of the many reasons I could find to throw a good party, trust me…. I would!!!
That being said, as much as I love to throw a good party, I realize that all of these elaborate decorations, Pinterest ideas, and amazing mini appetizers don’t come free. WHAT?!?! (pretend I paused here for dramatic affect). Luckily, I’ve figured out a life hack that will save you time and money, while leaving your guests with a night they will talk about for months to come…. Whether it’s good talk or bad talk is neither here nor there!
Anywho.. let’s get back on track. First you need to ask yourself, “what’s my budget?” FOR REAL.. not the budget you say because it sounds good out loud, but the budget you are actually going to stick to. Be honest with yourself. Once you come up with that number, subtract $50 (KIDDING).
For the purpose of this post, we will say you came up with $75 to spend on a get together that is grown-up, mature, and tasteful. I’m sure by now you’re thinking there’s no way!!! I know for me, alcohol alone could potentially cost that much!!
But what if I told you a successful party can be accomplished on a $50 – $100 budget? Sounds crazy right? Stay with me here.. and keep reading!
Feeding Your Guests
Whether you’re celebrating a holiday or birthday, or simply having the girls over for a wine and catch up on latest celebrity gossip night, providing food and drinks will likely be the largest portion of your party budget….. and the most necessary. That being said, catering, while convenient, is not going to be an option for the “budget-friendly party”. Sorry ladies… this time you will have to get in the kitchen and GET CREATIVE!!!! Instead of out sourcing, consider cooking a simple dish at home and supplementing it with some store-bought, pre-made items.
Here are some delicious, easy to make party snacks
True Story:
A few months ago I threw a surprise party for my husband. The theme was “Walking Tacos/Nachos”, and instead of ordering bulk carry-out from the restaurant down the street I went to my nearest grocery store for some ground turkey and simple sides. I then purchased pre packaged queso, salsa, and tortilla chips….. and not to toot my own horn, but my guests, husband, and bank account LOVED it. Your goal here is to decide on a menu, and figure out a simple recipe you can make at home, and then by a few pre-packaged foods to jazz it up on the side! Regarding alcohol, either ask guests to bring their favorite beverage of choice, OR if you are providing, stick with wine (you can always score great deals at Trader Joes) or pre-mix a “signature cocktail” ahead of time. This allows you to control the amount of alcohol being served at your gathering.
Decorations
So by this point, everyone is fed, happy, and if you’ve done everything right.. dare I say a little buzzed! But it takes more than some good eats and libations to make a party. I find myself spending around $30 - $50 on food, leaving the remainder for the fun stuff. I’m talking steamers, balloons, table cloths, and anything else that would be considered over the top!!!
I’ve learned over the years that dollar-stores and party retailers truly are your friend, and like all good things, sometimes it’s best to Do It Yourself (D.I.Y.) You don’t need a degree in art or interior decorating to do this, either. Just grab a few markers, card stock paper, and even a little bit of paint for a night of festivities. For the best results, don’t be afraid to get a little messy. If you don’t know what you’re doing…. grab a friend that does. EVERY girl should have a bestie that knows how to turn crap into gold!!! I don’t even want to think of what I would do if I didn’t have my DIY friend! Trust me.. it wouldn’t be pretty!
Here’s a gallery of versatile, easy, DIY party decorations that you can craft in under 30 minutes each.
The best part about all of this? You can reuse these decorations for future events! Complete the party with a crafted playlist through your favorite streaming service, Spotify,Apple Music, or Pandora and let the good times roll.
Have your own affordable party hacks? Share your links and ideas below!
XOXO, MRS. ALL PINK EVERYTHING