13 Tips to Save Money and Throw a Frugal Party

I love throwing a good party, but I don’t like spending a lot of money on it. Fortunately, you can have your cake and eat it too.

With a bit of planning and a few simple tips, you can throw a fabulous frugal party that your friends will be talking about for weeks (and not because they were so bored, they fell asleep). Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t throw an awesome party.

Budgeting is one of the easiest and most effective ways to save money and get your finances in order. By creating a budget and tracking every penny you spend, you’ll find that it’s easier than ever to stay on track and pay off your debt.

You’ve probably heard that it’s important to put together a budget, but did you know that budgeting can be fun? While it may not sound like the most exciting thing in the world, creating a plan for your spending can help you set and achieve your financial goals. Plus, once you finally reach those goals, you can celebrate with even more fun activities!

1. Use The Right Type of Invitations

The cost of your invitations can vary greatly depending on what type you choose. For example, free e-invites can be sent via email or through social media sites like Facebook, while homemade invitations made from construction paper or cardstock can cost almost nothing, depending on what supplies you have on hand. If you prefer printed invitations and don’t have a color printer at home, consider buying blank invitations and printing them at work instead.

2. Food

Most of the cost of a party is food, so the first place to start looking for savings is here. One option is to make the party a potluck and ask your guests to contribute their favorite dishes.

You can also look around for deals and coupon codes for food, especially if you are going out for a meal or having takeout delivered. Another way to be frugal on food is to have the party in the afternoon when it is less expensive to eat out.

Look for discounts from stores like Groupon, Living Social, and Restaurant.com. These sites offer great deals on food at local restaurants and caterers. You can also look around on GreenPromoCode.com and SlickDeals.net, which have updates on all the latest savings and deals around town.

3. Host An Open House Instead of a Sit-Down Meal

Open house parties are easier to host and cost less than sit-down meals because they don’t require full meal preparation or formal place settings. Guests feel free to come and go as they please and help themselves refresh throughout the party instead of eating at one specific time.

4. Put The Party on In the Afternoon

An afternoon party eliminates the need for dinner or supper, which will reduce your food costs significantly. If it is summertime or nice weather, organize an outdoor event so that people have fun outside and don’t have to eat indoors. Have some lemonade and cookies or other finger foods available, but do not serve a full meal if the party starts late afternoon or early evening.

5. Make Your Own Decorations

Making your own decorations allows you to be creative, personalized, and save money.

You can find numerous decoration ideas on Pinterest. My favorite DIY decoration is a wreath made of old or used wine corks. Just take a wreath form, glue the corks onto it, and then hang it on the door. Look back in your closet or basement for some old decorations that you can use again.

6. Ask Your Friends to Bring Something

When inviting friends to your party, ask them to bring something (if they are willing), such as food, drinks, desserts, or even decorations.

Having different dishes at the party makes for more variety and options for all the guests. It also allows you to save money by not purchasing everything yourself. The easiest way to save on drinks is by allowing your guests to bring their own drinks or BYOB (bring your own beer). The cost of buying drinks is usually pretty high at a party, so if everyone brings their own drinks, then not only do you save money, but you can also let them pick out their own drinks they like as well.

7. Buy Non-Perishable Items At Least a Week in Advance

Non-perishable items include paper plates, cups and napkins, utensils, and other things you will use at the party that don’t need refrigeration or freezing. This would allow you to look around different stores for the best deals on these items. You can also buy them online through Amazon or other websites that may offer free shipping if you spend a certain amount of money.

8. Use Party Items You Already Have

You may have some items in your house that can be repurposed for your party. For example, you could use colorful blankets for Polyester Tablecloths and pitchers as centerpieces. If you need more plates or glasses than you have, ask friends if they have extras. Many times, family and friends will be happy to contribute to the party.

9. Donate Your Leftover Food

Donating leftover food after a party is easy and helps others in need. Plus, it eliminates waste! The easiest way to donate leftover food is through a local food bank or soup kitchen. You can also donate directly to individuals and families in need, especially if you know them personally.

10. Make Your Own Invitations

You don’t have to spend money on invitations when you can make your own. You can use card stock, construction paper, or scrapbooking paper and create your own invites. You can also use an online invitation service like Evite that allows you to send out custom online invitations for free.

11. Have Your Party Outside

Outdoor parties are cheaper than indoor parties because you don’t have to worry about decorations or to decorate the venue. Instead, nature supplies the backdrop for your party at no cost.

12. Use Party Supplies from Home

Before shopping for new supplies, look around your home to see what you already have that can be used at the party. This includes decorations, utensils, plates, cups, ice buckets, and more. You might be surprised at what you already have that can be used for the event.

13. Lower Guest List

Think about who you really want at your party. Your best friends, family members, and other close friends should be on the top of your guest list. If you want to invite more people you don’t know, consider putting them on a waitlist until you determine if there is enough room for everyone. This will help you save money on food and drinks, especially if they are not BYOB (bring your own beverages).