How To Host A Cheap Party

Author: Alyice Edrich

"Mom, what do you mean I can't have a birthday party this year?"

"Well, we just don't have the money."

"But mom! I have to have a party, please?"

"Alright then, but we'll have to compromise."

"Thanks mom! You're the best!"

Sometimes, we just don't have the money to throw together an elaborate or fancy celebration, do we?

I know that there have been times that the lack of money has almost stopped me from throwing a birthday bash for my kids, but then the "Mommy" kicked in and we "made do" with what we had.

Here are some great low cost party planning tips to fit the tightest of budgets:

1. Make The Invitations

Instead of the traditional card and envelope party invitations, have your kids their own birthday invitations in the form of a flyer. Once they create the original, take it down to your local copy center and make enough copies to invite all your child's friends.

Or, if you really want to save here, send an e-mail invite to everyone on your list who has Internet service!

2. Choose A Simple Party Theme

Decide on a theme for the party based on items you already have around the house!

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Beach Blast

For a beach party, you'll need: swimming suits, towels, lawn chairs, volley balls, Frisbees, water hose with a sprinkler if you don't have a pool, etc.
Camping Trip

For a backyard campout, you'll need: a tent, sleeping bags, warm pajamas, flashlights, a telescope for star gazing, a glass jar with a lid that's been punctured with holes to capture fireflies, a fire pit for roasting marshmallows and hot dogs, and a thermos for hot cocoa.
Costume Party

To host your own costume party, have everyone dress up in last year's costumes. Then pull out some old decorations. You can even choose a simple theme like the 50s where everyone dresses in jeans rolled up to look like peddle pushers, polo shirts, white v-neck t-shirts, button-up sweaters, scarves used as neckties, hi-top tennis shoes, etc.
Wacky Dress Up Party

For this event, you'll need mismatching clothes, mismatching shoes, and funky hair pieces and accessories. Have everyone bring their wildest looking clothes, place them in a pile in the middle of the room, then have everyone make a mad dash to the pile and put on whatever fits. Once dressed, they guests have to stay in their outfits for the rest of the night.

3. Bake The Cake Yourself

Instead of purchasing a cake from the local baker, make it yourself. Or better yet, let one of the kids make it! Don't like cake? Bake a pie, or stack your favorite cookies together in the shape of a cake, and place a large candle on the top.

4. Create A Smorgasbord

Don't go out and buy traditional party foods, raid your food pantry! Instead of creating a meal where each food item compliments one another, think in terms of a smorgasbord or buffet where you give guests plenty of options to choose from.

First, look for finger foods and snack items. Next, choose a dinner entre that feeds a lot of people with very little effort. Think: spaghetti, homemade chili, a pot of stew or soup, enchiladas, or lasagna.

5. Use Punch Bowls

Nobody said you had to buy individually wrapped juice packs, or cans of soda to quench your guests' thirst. Grab that powdered drink mix, add some water and ice, then dump it into your punch bowl! As for alcohol, let your adult guests bring their own.

6. Go Light On The Entertainment

Entertainment can be as simple as letting the kids run wild while the adults talk to planning activities with things you have around the home.

Instead of buying a game of "Pin the tail on a donkey", why not create your own version by "Pinning the tie on a picture of daddy"? And instead of hiring a DJ or band, you can host your own talent contest with prizes coming from those "white elephant" gifts you have stored away in your attic.

The important thing to remember when it comes to hosting a cheap party is that it's not about the decorations or the food, it's about making your event special and memorable time by spending time with people you treasure!