Whether it’s a game day gathering or a holiday party, getting together with friends and family can be just what the doctor ordered! It’s always a blast to gather, but playing host can be incredibly expensive. Here are some tips to help you maximize the fun and minimize the expense.
Be strategic
– Make a list of all of your anticipated expenses like food, beverages, decorations, invitations, and favors. Food and drink are usually the biggest expenses, and with rising food prices you’ll want to add in a bit of padding.
– Create your guest list based on the number of people you can afford to host. Remember that keeping your guest list small will be much more affordable.
– Set an end time. The longer a party goes on, the more food, drink, and supplies you need to purchase. Make the time frame clear on your invitation.
-Stay Focused and remember the reason for your party. It’s about having fun, not impressing your friends with flash! When you stay focused on the goal of being together, you’re less likely to overspend.
Save on food
– Rather than providing all the food yourself, host a potluck. This can be a fun way for your guests to share a favorite dish. Create a sign-up list if you want to avoid duplicate dishes.
– Be flexible when you are shopping so you can make adjustments based on what’s on sale.
– If you belong to a wholesale club, now is the perfect time to use your membership. Get food and snacks, serveware, paper goods, and desserts in bulk. Try not to over-purchase, but keep in mind that you get to stock your pantry with anything unused, and avoid getting condiments or spices in bulk unless you have future plans for them.
– Go big! Rather than serving lots of smaller dishes, go for pots of stew or casseroles. Less work and less money.
– Think about timing. If you have a daytime gathering, you can serve less food and you don’t necessarily have to provide alcohol.
– Skip the pricey catering companies and check out the catering menus at your local grocery stores like Publix or Kroger, or choose a fast-food favorite for a catering order like chicken nugget trays from Chick-fil-A or sandwich & salad platters from Firehouse Subs.
– Cakes at wholesale clubs are very affordable. You can order a half-sheet cake from your local Costco for less than $20 and serve around 48 guests. If you don’t have a membership, the prices at your grocery store will be reasonable as well.
– Get creative! Buy store-brand snacks and trick ‘em out. No one will know the difference between generic and brand name snacks when you display them in your own serveware!
Save on beverages
– Rather than buying all the booze yourself, note BYOB on your invitations. Guests are usually happy to bring a beverage and that will significantly reduce the expense.
– If you would prefer to provide the drinks, keep it simple. Offer one beer and one wine option, or serve a signature drink like a big bowl of punch or spiked lemonade.
– Consider buying in bulk. In some states, you don’t have to be a member to buy booze at wholesale clubs, like Sam’s Club and Costco. When shopping there, buy the warehouse store brand. Costco has its own line of wine and spirits – Kirkland Brand. Most are fairly well-reviewed and the prices are excellent. Prices may vary by location, but 1.75L of Costco’s Kirkland Signature American Vodka has been spotted at $16.99 as compared to Tito’s, for example, which usually sells for upwards of $30, or Grey Goose which sells for around $59.
– Costco’s Kirkland Signature craft beers are worth a look too. A 24-variety pack of Kirkland Craft Beers costs around $19.99, whereas a similar 24-pack assortment of craft beer from other stores will typically cost double that or more.
– Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark spirits are a great deal too. Their tequila even received an “exceptional” rating in the U.S. Spirit Awards with 91 points. A 1.75L bottle of silver tequila costs around $20 compared to 1800 Silver, which typically costs in the $40 range.
– Buy the biggest size/quantity for the biggest savings. The good news is that alcohol doesn’t go bad!
Save on the venue
– If you can’t host a party in your own home, get creative and consider another free or low-cost space like a local park, the beach, or your place of worship.
– If you are celebrating outdoors, check if permits are needed and follow local guidelines regarding alcohol. Since you are at the mercy of the weather, have a Plan B for your location.
Save on invitations
– Paper invitations can be costly. Professionally printed invitations can cost around $3/invitation on average, but there are ways to save.
– Explore printing through office supply stores and pharmacies or through online retailers, like Vistaprint or Shutterfly. Also, use a deal site to search broadly for the best deals on invitation printing sites across the web. At the time of this writing, you can find deals like 20 percent off at Hallmark and up to 50 percent off at Shutterfly.
– If you’re open to non-paper options, save the cost and come up with a fun graphic for free using a site like Canva. Or, send out e-invitations though a site like Evite or Paperless Post, which both have free and low-fee options.
– Be sure to follow up with those who haven’t RSVP’d before you purchase food and supplies, so you can avoid over-purchasing.
Save on decor
– When you stick to a single color or theme, you’re less likely to overspend buying a wide array of decorations. And if the decorations are neutral enough, you can use them again! Silver or gold decorations can be used for just about anything.
– If you’re crafty, use Youtube, or a craft site, like Michaels.com, for DIY decor how-to’s. Invest your time instead of your money into decorating for your event.
– For low-cost decorative items, check dollar stores, like Dollar General or Family Dollar.
– And ask for help! See if your friends or family have supplies they can loan to you or maybe they can lend a hand if you are making decorations yourself.
Save on entertainment
– Skip hiring a band or DJ and make a Spotify playlist instead. Pro tip: Ask guests to RSVP with their favorite party song. Or, set a theme or name a favorite band in Pandora or Amazon Music and enjoy the mix!
– Throwing a party with kids? Set up a simple crafts table with coloring books and play putty to keep kids entertained throughout your event. Look up fun, simple party games for kids to play instead of hiring expensive entertainment providers. Consider traditional favorites like pin the tail, musical chairs, or a scavenger hunt.
