Who doesn’t love a good party? Parties are certainly fun, but if you’re the host, you can quickly find yourself over your head and over budget. Between making (or purchasing) the food, beverage, decor, and entertainment, a simple party can set you back financially.
The good news is, parties do not have to be elaborate or expensive in order to be fun. In fact, some of the best parties are the simplest ones with an awesome group of people. An amazing party doesn’t have to break the bank – here’s how to host an affordable event.
Set the Party Budget in Advance
If you know when you plan to host a party, you can start saving in advance.
Most parties aren’t just random events. They happen for a specific day – Superbowl parties, graduation parties, birthday parties, etc.
Look ahead on your calendar and mark the parties you plan to host. Then, start saving a little money each month into a separate savings account. That way, you don’t have to break your budget the month of the event.
Host a Potluck
Food planning is stressful, as well as expensive. You have to plan your grocery list in advance and spend a whole day making food.
Make it easy on yourself (and your wallet) by throwing a potluck style party. Ask each attendee to bring a favorite dish to share. People are generally excited to contribute, plus talking about favorite recipes is a great ice breaker. Need some good potluck recipes? Check out this list of crowd pleasers from Real Simple.
Choose Affordable (and Easy) Food
If potlucks aren’t your thing, you can still save money by picking the right food to cook.
Meals like pasta, tacos, and chili are super cheap to make in bulk. The goal here is to pick high volume and simple foods. Plus, they are really easy to make!
Set the Scene
Planning a party on a budget? You don’t need to spend any money on decor.
That’s right – decorations aren’t a requirement for a stellar celeration.
Instead, you can throw a great party by simply rearranging your seating, pulling out a few games, and adjusting the lighting and music. No one will remember the decorations, anyway.
Pick the Right Jams
Music can make or break a get together.
Fortunately, it’s never been easier to create the perfect event playlist for free. If you have Spotify, a music app, you can simply search for playlists to match your theme. You’ll be able to see pre-made playlists for just about any party imaginable.
Ask for Help
If a friend asks if she can help you plan, take her up on it!
Having a friend help can take some of the pressure off of party planning. Plus, planning a party with a friend is just as fun (if not more so) than the party itself!
Rachel Slifka is a freelance writer and human resources professional. She is passionate about helping fellow millennials find success with their finances and careers. Read more by checking out her website at RachelSlifka.com.
