We have been created to live and thrive within a community of support, love and accountability. Parties are all about celebrating & building that community. That is one of the main reason why I have always loved hosting and planning events, parties & gatherings: celebrating life with my tribe!!
Life will bring unexpected difficulties, sorrows, ups & downs, times when you will need to depend on the support of your tribe. So build your community.

I love the verse in Ecclesiastes that says ” though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” Ecc. 4:12

So open up, invest, party & celebrate others now! Life is so much sweeter in community. If “a budget” is one of your main reasons for not throwing a party, read on and learn How to make & stick to your party budget”. Parties & celebrations don’t have to blow the budget, learn how…

HAVE A PLAN

I have to start by saying that I don’t believe in living outside of your means. I am not suggesting that you get into debt, just so that you can have parties. Please don’t. I am trying to share, tips on how throw a party, stay within your budget.

First tip: start with a plan. The first step on HOW TO MAKE & STICK TO YOUR PARTY BUDGET, is to know your budget. As simple as that, what is the amount of money that you can spend in a party?

CASH OUT!

Once you have the “magic number”, that amount that you have for your party, go to the bank and get that in cash. Don’t pay with a credit card (psst if you have to use your credit card, this party is not within your budget), get hard cold cash in your hands. Put that money inside an envelop and label it “party budget”. This is all the money you have for all of your party expenses. Stick to it, once its gone, don’t spend more!

GET CREATIVE

Now its time to get creative. Here are great ways to save on your party.

shop in your own home first. Look around and see what you can use. Example: a cool vase or bowl, desk to place food…etc. (check out my Party Decor Pinterest board for more ideas, on how to use ordinary household items)
ask a friend/family member to lend you decor.
re- invent dollar store items ( I am writing a post on transforming dollar store items)
shop at the dollar store (paper ware, cups, some decor)
shop consignment (second hand stores, have cool items, vintage, for way less)
have a themed pot luck (have your friends all sign up to bring something to eat)
send e-vites (saves you time, money & saves trees)
select a no cost location for the party (your house, a park near by, a friends house)
BYOB (ask your guest to bring their own drinks)