I love to entertain. I would have a party every weekend if it didn’t involve cleaning the entire house all the time. There is always some project going on at our house, so throwing a party would involve a lot of clean up. When I do throw a party, you know it is going to be on a budget!
One of the easiest things is to have a theme. Once you have a theme the rest of the party just falls into place. I recently threw a Card themed party for my son. For an informal party or small get togethers, I don’t mind using Evite to send the invitations. This saves on the cost of the invitation and cost of mailing. Let’s face it, I am frugal that way. If you are doing a more formal gathering I suggest designing and printing the invitations yourself. This saves tons of money for a frugal party. Frugal doesn’t mean doing without, it just means more planning is required and start your planning early.
Once your theme is selected choose two or three colors max from your theme to incorporate through out. One of the cheapest decorations are balloons. A dozen balloons for me is only $6.00. Using in groups of two balloons throughout a room or house gives six opportunities to dress up an area and add height for great visual effect.
Go to the dollar store in your area and pick up plates, napkins and plastic wear in your color themes. It is way less expensive to buy than at the party stores and you are not serving on boring plain white plates.
Keep the menu simple and for the occasion. For kids parties we normally have hot dogs and hamburgers and for adults you can do simple hors de ovrs that can be made ahead of time. If you can have everything made before the party so you can enjoy all your hard work and mingle with your friends. Things can be kept warm in slow cookers and usually the most simple ideas are the best and you keep people with certain dietary restrictions happy. Spend a little extra time and label the food with names from the theme of the party.
The area where I like to splurge a little is the cake. I really think this sets the theme and seals the party. Everyone will enjoy seeing and eating the delicious cake. I am lucky enough the lady who lives behind me likes to decorate cakes. I bake and prep them and she decorates them. If you are not gifted to decorate cakes yourself, find a friend who is and use them!
Throwing a fantastic party is all about the theme and how you can use little things to tie it all together. Once you have the theme keep building on that idea. All the little touches really make the party fun and everyone will remember your party for a long time.
-AMY
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