How to Throw an Inexpensive Yet Memorable Party
For a long time I avoided throwing parties due to how expensive and stressful they can be. I revisited this idea when I began to be more involved in the DIY (do it yourself) culture, realizing that throwing a hit party can be easily achieved on a budget. Here are the basics to throwing a great party without going broke:
The Theme: The first step to throwing a memorable party is to choose a theme and commit to it. A theme will keep party planning cohesive and limit erroneous spending and stress.
The Date: Decide when it is it optimal to have a party. It is important to leave enough time for planning and preparation to avoid feeling rushed. Too often people purchase items they can make themselves to save time. This financial pitfall can be avoided by choosing a date far enough in the future.
The Invitations: I almost always opt to send email invitations to parties; doing so is good for the environment and free. One great resource to find free and simple to use electronic invitations is Evites (http://www.evite.com/).
The Decorations: Home made decorations are always more creative and often more attractive than a store bought alternative. Doing a Google blog search (http://blogsearch.google.com/) can help you find great DIY help from people who throw one-of-kind DIY parties around the world.
The 5 Senses Test: To make sure your theme is implemented into every aspect of your party, use the 5 senses test. If you can you see, hear, touch, taste, and smell the motif, it is sure to be present throughout the festivity.
Borrow: Don’t have a punch bowl? Don’t sweat it. You probably know someone who does. Ask around to see if there are expensive party items you can borrow from a friend. To make it an appealing exchange, I often trade some of my DVDs or cookbooks until I return the loaned item.
Choose One Key Item: If you want to make a complicated dessert, then do so, but opt for less expensive dinner food. If you want to hire entertainment, consider providing appetizers as oppose to a full meal.
Simple Theme Ideas (to get you started):
- International Celebration: Base your party on an international holiday or exotic food.
- Less Celebrated Holidays: Celebrate the less discussed holidays, like President’s Day or Talk Like A Pirate Day.
- Time Period: Celebrate the 60s or the industrial revolution.
- Merge Two Ideas: I once threw a dinosaur beach luau birthday party that was a huge a hit.
- Pick a Color: Choose a couple of colors or visual elements to create your event around.
Amara Dumlao is a Reviewer, Writer, Designer and Marketing Consultant. A graduate of the Eller College of Business Management at the University of Arizona and a former Banker, Amara combines global business savvy with creative real world financial applications.
A regular community volunteer, DIY enthusiast, social networking guru, and avid traveler, Amara believes in applying the wisdom of the past with the technology of the future to create a fulfilling balanced life.
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