Back to discoverHow To Throw The Best Summer Party On A Budget
If you have been wanting to seize this Summer with parties with your friends and family but not break the bank, you are not alone! Many people are in the same boat looking at how to reduce costs whilst still have a fun and glamorous party that your guests will love.
Things can start to add up quickly between the cost of food and drink, decor, plus hiring out a venue. Here is a few tips and tricks on how to throw an amazing, yet inexpensive, Summer party!
1. Party At Your Place
It doesn’t take a lot of money to spruce up your garden. Trim back the trees and pull those weeds because your garden is the ultimate place for a Summer party on a budget! If you live in a flat perhaps go to a local public area to set up your party but double check on what items may be prohibited!
2. Make The Guest List Small
Parties really start to add up when you invite everyone you know or let people bring along people they know. In order to keep your Summer party inexpensive, consider keeping your list small. A small intimate party can still be a ton of fun! But if you are unable to keep the numbers down ask people to pull their weight! Have people come early to help set up, make sure there are designated bin stations, so people are cleaning up after themselves, and get everyone to chip in at the end with putting everything away.
3. Have A Potluck: BYO!
Just because you are hosting doesn’t mean that you have to buy and prepare all of the food. Ask people to BYO (bring your own!); bring side dishes, appetisers, drinks, and desserts would mean lots of variety and food each person is guaranteed to like, with you then providing the main. Additionally, a great way to reduce costs is to only supply soft drinks. Alcohol can be one of the largest expenses at any party. So let your guests know that if they want to have alcoholic drinks for them to bring that to the party but you will supply any mixers that they may need.
4. Decorate With Items You Have Around The House
Being on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t decorate! If you are handy and enjoy arts and crafts, or have kids, you probably have several different odds and ends that you can quickly put together to create some decor. If you are not into your crafting, you can always find things around the house as another easy way to decorate. Grab ornaments and vases from different rooms and collect some garden flowers and greenery to create your centrepieces. Additionally, use food as your showstopper, create an amazing dessert and place in the middle of your table to bring to life your theme. With a little creativity, you’ll get lots of compliments from your guests.
5. Scrimp your party supplies
Collecting parties’ supplies can start to become expensive if you do not organise what big items you may need for your party. If you have a lot of finger food, you may need platters or parties’ trays to purchase. Likewise, if you are having a lot of different dishes, you may need more bowls, plates and cutlery. Don’t break the bank buying lots of new homeware, go to your local at local thrift and charity shops like British Heart Foundation to find inexpensive items to not only liven up your tables but to buy low-priced stylish kitchenware. If you are out of luck, you can always pop into your local budget retailer and see if they have anything that will liven up your tables with colourful inexpensive tablecloths, paper cups and decor. Plus if you are really wanting to budget your cash ask family members for help. See if they have any spare platters, serving bowls or beverage holders that you can borrow for the party. You can even ask if they will lend you some chairs and tables if you are hosting a big Summer party!
6. Blast The Ultimate Summer Playlist!
An amazing playlist is a great way to provide instant ambience to any party. Don’t have a speaker, play music through your TV or see if a friend or family member has a speaker you can borrow. If still out of luck use the glass and phone hack. Place your phone into an empty glass for your very own makeshift speaker. Then just make a mix of everyone’s favourite Summer jams to get the party started. Check our carefully curated Whitworths Summer of goodness playlist on Spotify to blast us at your party and get everyone into the Summer spirit!
7. Cook From Scratch
If you are willing and able to do the prep work, you will save more.Buying bulk items like veggies to make your dip and side dishes from scratch, will reduce costs than buying pre-made products. Also, if you are cutting the veggies instead of buying pre-chopped veggies that is another extra cost you can save on. Plus, homemade dips are always more flavoursome and usually healthier. For the main dishes compile together some easy dishes and make them ahead of time by baking and then freezing them ready ahead of the party. However, if you are cutting it for time or do not fancy yourself a cook go into stores and look for the best in-store promotions. There are always amazing Summer deals at retailers, take advantage of this! Just make sure you keep a list on what you need and how many people for, so you don’t over or under buy and most importantly overspend.
Planning A Summer Party
Planning a Summer party does not have to cost a fortune to be the event of the season! You can make it special and fun without spending loads! In the end it is all about being with the people you love and having a #SummerofGoodness. So don’t stress yourself, invite who you want and have a great time.