This is the first in a series of posts about party planning. I love a good party, and I LOVE it even more if it's one I'm hosting! In college, I held all of the party planning chairs at one time or another, rush chair, social chair, sisterhood chair, etc...once out of college I moved to planning bridal showers and then baby showers...now that my friends are all married and having kids, the focus of our parties is shifting but the planning method remains much the same.
Here are 5 tips for saving time and/or money (usually you have to choose one or the other, right?!) In future posts I will elaborate on each one and provide pictures to help illustrate.
1. Pick a theme
Themes can help you save on time and money in the long run, because it will help direct your decorating and menu plan.
Themes can help you save on time and money in the long run, because it will help direct your decorating and menu plan.
2. Scope out deals on party ware as soon as you choose the color scheme.
Advanced scouting for deals can greatly reduce your budget for glasses, plates, and plastic ware should you choose to go the disposable route. Depending on where you are hosting the party, it may be easy to use your own plates and silverware, and if so, this is a good way to save money. Using disposable will save you time in preparation and clean up, so you just have to decide which is more important for each individual event.
Advanced scouting for deals can greatly reduce your budget for glasses, plates, and plastic ware should you choose to go the disposable route. Depending on where you are hosting the party, it may be easy to use your own plates and silverware, and if so, this is a good way to save money. Using disposable will save you time in preparation and clean up, so you just have to decide which is more important for each individual event.
3. Plan the food you will serve around your budget and shop in advance when possible for food.
Want to save money on your food budget? Throw your party in the early afternoon and serve drinks and snacks, or plan a brunch which is a cost effective way to feed a crowd a sit down meal.
4. Decorate effectively.
Use what you have as much as possible: candles, flowers, stuffed animals, toys, gifts you are giving at the party, and the food you are serving all can be used to decorate. Balloons make nice centerpieces and are relatively cost effective. Make the gift table a focal point if there is going to be one.
5. Location, Location, Location…
This one can vary all over the map depending on what type of party you’re having, but here are some things to keep in mind: Hosting a party at your house or a friend’s house is likely the most cost effective option, but consider what you could save if you chose a different location. Is time your biggest constraint? If so, renting a location or going to a park may be the lower cost solution because it will save you time cleaning ahead of time. Would you have to rent anything or would there be a lot of added expense decorating if you threw this party in someone’s home? If so, it may also make sense to rent. The condo my mother lives in has an elegant clubhouse that can be rented for a nominal fee and we have used it more often than not to save time on decorating and prep time…for us it is almost always worth the rental fee.
This one can vary all over the map depending on what type of party you’re having, but here are some things to keep in mind: Hosting a party at your house or a friend’s house is likely the most cost effective option, but consider what you could save if you chose a different location. Is time your biggest constraint? If so, renting a location or going to a park may be the lower cost solution because it will save you time cleaning ahead of time. Would you have to rent anything or would there be a lot of added expense decorating if you threw this party in someone’s home? If so, it may also make sense to rent. The condo my mother lives in has an elegant clubhouse that can be rented for a nominal fee and we have used it more often than not to save time on decorating and prep time…for us it is almost always worth the rental fee.
What are some of the ways you save money when you're hosting a party? What are some of the favorite things you've seen done or have done yourself? I'd love to hear your tips!!
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