Graduation Open Houses, End of the School Year, Memorial Day, the Indy 500, 4th of July, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day – there’s so much to celebrate during the late spring and early summer. All of these festivities mean many of us will host friends and families in our homes or rent facilities to enjoy time and meaningful traditions together. However, the expense of summer parties adds up quickly. No matter what sort of fete you’re hosting, here are summer party planning tips to keep your budget in check.
Invitations
A few years ago when our oldest daughter graduated from high school, I remember receiving a packet full of ordering options. There were graduation invitations, open house invitations, little name cards, and more. Quite honestly, it was all a little overwhelming. What you choose to do for invitations varies by the event and the number of people you’re inviting. Obviously you can use an online social media platform like Facebook or evite to share the good news of your event. You may also elect to print your own invitations through a site like Vistaprint. ALWAYS search for a coupon code and click through a cashback site like Rakuten to maximize your savings.
Ask for Help
Look, your friends really do want to bring something. Don’t be afraid to go all potluck on your gathering and ask people to pitch in. More often than not, it’s best to let people bring their best dish so you have the A-game buffet. But if you have a specific menu plan and want to be sure you don’t end up with 15 potato salads, then request categories of dishes or party items (think paper goods) instead of demanding a particular recipe or specific item. An online site like Sign Up Genius may help you organize everyone and/or know who will be bringing what. If you’re planning a joint celebration, you may want to think about sharing resources to pay to rent a facility, too.
Go Red, Blue, or Black
When it comes to decor and party supplies, look for solid red, blue, or black items. From dishes and napkins to bowls and baskets, red is the best bet. Not only does red feature prominently in summer holidays like 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day but it’s also the go-to for Christmas and Valentine’s Day. And many children’s characters and athletic teams have red and/or blue in their color scheme too so you are likely to use those items again or be able to mix and match them for another occasion. Plus, be on the lookout after the big holidays pass to see if you can pick up those items on clearance for next year! Black is also a nice option to then pair with a solid color that coordinates with school colors for graduation.
Keep Your Menu Simple
The grocery store is a tempting place during the summer party season. Hit the aisles and you’ll find a variety of foods and so many options your head could spin. Stick to as simple of a menu as possible – a main course, a veggie, a fruit, and a dessert. Even though the extras sound like they would enhance your experience in the end you’ll end up with more leftovers than you can manage or give away and end up wasting food.
Decorate with Food
There’s no need to buy fancy centerpieces that will collect dust all year long. You can bring pizazz to your table with food instead! Whether it’s a beautifully carved watermelon (what says summer better?) or making red, white, and blue Uncle Sam Punch, you can make decor out of the dishes you’ll be eating, saving money. Plus, I bet your guests will enjoy the edible decor much more!
Order Paper Goods on Amazon
When your time is short and your budget is minimal, it might actually be a good idea to hit Amazon for your party good needs. I LOVE buying things like cups, napkins, paper towels, and plates on Amazon’s Subscribe & Save program. It helps remain stocked up no matter when we decide to throw a party. Be sure you check Amazon’s coupons to see if you can maximize their prices. And since they come straight to your house, you’ll be able to avoid temptation at places like the party store, big box retailer, and/or warehouse stores.
Keep the Focus in Check
I think it’s so easy when it comes to any holiday or celebration to get carried away. However, people don’t really require fancy decor or even fancy food. They just want to know that they matter. A good story, a belly laugh, and simply sitting together or breaking bread are priceless treasures. Remember why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Spend time together this summer! Don’t let overwhelm or appearances guide your budget. Focus on the people who matter as you celebrate milestones and traditions.
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