Planning a party can be a stressful time in your life. That’s because your responsible for the entertainment, the guest list, and everything between. As long as you plan carefully and try not to panic, your day will run smoothly.
One of the biggest aspects of planning a party is deciding on the theme and planning the decor around it. Whether it’s a graduation, a child’s birthday, or an anniversary party, there’s a lot of careful planning that goes into it. If you’re not careful, the cost will creep up as well.
Here’s how to plan a party on a budget.
Make Your Own Decorations
It’s quite simple and fun to make your own decorations for a party. Instead of buying expensive banners or balloon arches, you can make your own for half the price.
Find someone who has nice handwriting, or invest in stencils. You can then craft your own birthday, graduation, anniversary, or wedding banner. It’s more personal that way anyway.
You can also make your own decoration by creating centerpieces. Instead of spending money on a florist, you can craft a centerpiece out of high-quality silk flowers.
They’re affordable and will last longer meaning you can use them for parties to come. With different colors available, you’re sure to find one that fits your theme.
Stretch Your Buck as Far as it Will Go
There isn’t anything wrong with trying to save a few bucks when it comes to decorations. Planning a party is expensive, and you’ll want to split your budget among many different areas.
Buy a plethora of streamers and balloons because those are the most inexpensive decorations. Streamers can be hung anywhere and in different layouts. You could also buy cheap table runners for sale, tablecloth or napkins that could help to enhance your dinner table for the party
You can also create balloon arches. They’re simple, look sleek and stylish, and really are a staple during parties. They’re great for people to pose by. You can use balloon colors that compliment your theme. For example, black and gold balloon arches are perfect for a graduation party.
Use Nature to Your Advantage
When decorating, you also have the option to use things that are free. If you’re having a party in the summer, gather up sticks. You can cover sticks with glitter or leave them the way they are to create centerpieces. Place them in jars for a modern look.
During the fall, you can use the fallen leaves to your advantage. String them together to create a garland or paint them to create unique decor. You can also scatter them across tables to create a rustic look.
Provide Your Own Entertainment
Entertainment can be pricey especially if you’re considering renting common things like a band, a bounce house, or a clown. Instead of dishing out hundreds of dollars, provide your own entertainment. At the end of the day, your family and friends just want to spend time together.
For example, you can plan out games for graduation parties that are sure to please a crowd. A lot of these games you can make yourself. For example, create cardboard cutout frames that say things like “most likely to succeed.” You can have people pose for these, and it makes a fun memory to look back on. Think of it as bringing a yearbook to life.
Suggest the Idea of a Potluck Party
Party food is expensive especially when you’re planning for a crowd. To offset the cost, provide a main dish such as pizza, burgers, or hot dogs.
Ask your guests if they can bring something small to pass around, like chips or a dip. Most people won’t mind helping out, especially when it comes to family. This helps free up more money for you to spend on decorations.
Some Thoughts
Party decor doesn’t have to expensive. All it takes is a little bit of knowledge on how to stretch your dollar as far as it can go. The beauty of decorations is that they can be repurposed.
When one party is done, don’t toss your decor. Chances are that you can use it for different events. Chalkboard signs are a great example. You can keep using them as long as they last, instead of purchasing new banners and posters.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
