Thrifty Party Planning
I hope you can all forgive my recent lack of posting. I have been blessed with the job of planning a charity event to benefit two very special little boys. This has added a whole new dimension to my efforts at being thrifty. Everyday kind of thrifty is hard enough, but meeting others’ expectations, impressing party guests and staying within budget is quite a task. Here are a few things that I have learned so far. Perhaps it will help you in your own party planning endeavors.
I’ve learned to use connections to get things done at more reasonable rates. There is no shame in asking friends and family members to lend their talents to your cause. As long as you make them feel appreciated, they are usually glad to help. My bother in law, who is a gifted musician, is going to lend his talents at my charity. The usual base fee for a band is 100-200 dollars per hour. I will be able to get away with a small gift card, as payment.
Make a list of priorities. Decide what the most important elements of the event are. Then it will be easier to allocate funds. The least important items on the list can discarded if money runs out. The venue and food are always most important. Decorations are always easy to pare down or omit. Extravagant party favors are not a necessity either. A warm word of thanks to your guests will usually suffice in satisfying their need for a token of your gratitude.
Whatever you can do yourself, do it. Enlist friends to make favors, decorations or appetizers. Host a potluck party if you are having a crowd that is easy going. Make it a “Death by chocolate” theme or a “B.Y.Favorite” night. People love to share their specialty dishes. Make your invitations, when feasible. Use your talents to cut down on costs.
When choosing a venue, entertainer or other service, interview several people and get quotes. A lot of businesses are willing to meet or beat a quote. Talking with business owners and being honest about your budget, can be of great benefit to you. People are usually willing to work with you if there is a personal connection involved. Phone calls are too impersonal.
Make one big trip for several purposes. It saves on travel time and gas. Plan out your day to accommodate several meetings and interviews. I try to accomplish several tasks while my husband is home to watch the kids. It saves on babysitting and I can relax, knowing that they are in good hands.
Seek out donations. I know that some people have a problem in asking for freebies, but the worst you can get is a “no.” Some wine suppliers will come and do a pouring for free and give a discounted price on the wine. New catering businesses will usually provide the food at a discount, just to get their name out there. Offering to pass out their business cards to your guests may prompt the caterer to give a discount. Small businesses are hurting right now. Many owners will gladly donate to your event in exchange for advertising. I know this does not work for every event, but it works wonders for fundraisers and company events.
Keep in mind that guests will not remember every detail about the event. The thing that they will remember most is the fun. If you keep the mood festive and encourage socialization by playing party games or sparking conversations, people will always have a good time. Always be gracious, outgoing and thank your guests for coming as they leave. Your party is sure to be a frugal hit if you plan carefully and keep the focus where it needs to be, on the fun!
Tags: budgets, events, parties, planningRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Easy Entertainment, General
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