Money Saving Planning Tips

With the debt ceiling occupying headlines across the country this week and mixed reactions among our politicians and citizens filling up our Twitter streams and Facebook walls, saving money seems to be a natural topic for our blog!

Help us build an awesome list of tips by submitting your ideas in the comments, via Twitter @WPBEventHall or on our Facebook page!

 

Tip Categories:

Snacks and Food

Cakes and Dessert

Invitations

Decorations

Place Settings

 

Tips for Saving Money on Your Party

Snacks and Food

  • Money-Saving Catering IdeasSouz Snack Chef: Choose easy bulk items that you can prepare yourself or with friends and family prior to the party, such as Chex mix, specialty dips and homemade chips or veggie dishes. Shop at Costco, Sam’s Club or BJ’s!
  • Low-cost Catering: Opt for catering from a non-traditional source such as Publix or a local restaurant. Some have even used chain restaurants to create a full buffet!
  • Self-Catering or Partial Self-Catering: Fire up your kitchen or get your friends in the act. This can be a challenge, but will save a ton of cash in the long run!
  • Hit up Craigslist: Whether you’re looking for a low-profile caterer, some help in the kitchen or serving staff, you can normally find a deal here!
  • Limit the Options: If you’re still set on using a professional catering service, choose less costly dishes such as chicken and pork vs. steak and seafood.
  • A Single Show: Sometimes out-of-the-ordinary is more exciting. You might be able to save by hiring a solo artist and his equipment. Bring in a Hibachi professional for hors d’oeuvres, a pizza chef or fondue ingenue to perform their delicious duties instead of a multi-dish buffet.
  • Forget Mealtime: Who says it’s your job to feed your guests? You can forego traditional meal-time parties and only offer snacks.

Cakes and Desserts

  • Affordable Party Cake IdeasCupcakes!: It’s totally trendy right now, and oh-so-divine! Save up to $3 per guest with this easy transition.
  • Fake-a-Cake: CakeRental.com has a patent-pending contraption that lets you enjoy the wedding cake ceremony without the exorbitant expense of the actual cake. That’s right. It’s a fake cake with a slot for a single slice – after that the cake goes behind closed doors while you dish out a less expensive, yet still delicious, every-day cake.
  • Get Kitschy: Rent a soft ice cream, sno-cone or cotton candy machine for instant carnival appeal.
  • Go Candy-Crazy: Although the days of penny-candy are long gone, you can still score some great deals on bulk candy, especially if you avoid chocolate. The presentation is all up to you!
  • Bake Happy: Cookies and brownies are never denied.

Invitations

  • DIY: Whether straight from scrap paper or using your computer, it’s cheaper to buy some goodcard stock and create your own invites than paying a print shop.
  • Cheap Invitation IdeasShop for Savings: Dollar Tree. This will be repeated whenever party budgeting is on topic. Don’t forget to check clearance sections at Target or your favorite party store.
  • Clean Out Your Closet: Those old notecards in the corner? Why not? Old magazines you’re throwing away? Add a label and you have an invitation. If you have any materials in bulk you no longer want, you can make creative invitations!
  • Free Print Coupons: It’s easy to find “first order free” deals for customized materials from sites like Vistaprint.
  • A Thousand Words: Photo prints from Walgreen’s or other pharmacies cost less than 15 cents each. Scrawl your party details across the back!

Decorations

  • Money Saving Decoration IdeasAnnie Get Your Glue Gun: You’re guaranteed to save money by doing it yourself. Take a ride to the craft store and go nuts on materials. Avoid the fancier silk flowers or you’re driving up your costs!
  • Go Outside: Nature is a great decorator, in almost every season (ice sculptures are not money-saving decorations). From sea shells to pine cones, you can find plenty to make your party look festive, especially if you or someone you know has a flower garden. Just make sure to rinse and dry out first!
  • Tie a Ribbon ‘Round It: Use ribbon around candles or bunches of flowers for a colorful, festive look.
  • The Magic of Fabric: If you keep a stash for quilting or dressmaking, fabric can be an excellent way to create consistent decor. Even if you don’t store fabric at home, you can find plenty of affordable options at Wal-Mart or your local craft store. Use them for window or table decor, or even as chair covers.

Place Settings

  • Affordable Place Setting IdeasUtilize Leftovers: Ask family and friends or log on to craigslist to find unused party supplies, such as balloons, plates and plastic-ware. If you’re looking more for silver and china, Salvation Army and Goodwill stores can sometimes hold hidden gems. You know who also has cheap flatware? Dollar Tree.
  • Color Me Plastic: Cover tables with colored plastic wrap and tape beneath for an affordable, mess-proof table covering that can fit in with your color-scheme.
  • Keep it Green: Use recycled or compostable materials for plates and cups, which you can often find for a slightly lower price. Plastic cups and flatware can also usually be recycled.
  • Fab Napkins: Old fabric swatches can quickly be stitched into reusable napkins.
  • Nifty Napkin Rings: Jazz up the table with some DIY napkin rings! Check out these links for some creative ideas:

 

What are Your Money-Saving Tips for Planning a Party?

Help us Build Our List in the comments!

 

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