Fabulously Frugal Summer Party Ideas

The Essential Backyard BBQ

The best part of the summer is being able to enjoy the company of your friends and family while enjoying the warm summer weather. Here are some fun and helpful tips: 

• START EARLY! Whether it be for burgers or savory chicken on the grill, it’s always best to shop at your local supermarket and freeze the items before hand. Beat the summer holiday rush and plan ahead. 
• CHECK OUT THE SUPERMARKET! They have a lot of great prepared dishes for you to start off with and add to. Save yourself some time and money and throw a fabulous party on a budget. 
• BARTER & HAGGLE! Try talking with your local bakery or flower shop to try and get great deals on decorations or baked goods to give the BBQ all the right finishing touches. Never pay full price for anything. 
• MAKE IT TAPAS PARTY! Assign every guest to bring some kind of small hors d’oevres (a fun kabob, mini-hamburgers) or appetizer. Finger food is always a party favorite and if everyone brings a little bit, then you’ll have variety at a low cost. 
• COOKING PARTY! The best way to show off your great cooking skills is to cook with your friends. Have all your party guests bring all their ingredients to your home and cook together. Everyone will learn how to make your dish; it’s cost-effective and something new! It becomes both the entertainment and the meal for the party. for your guests, have everyone bring their own favorite 
• TASTINGS! Instead of focusing on the food and providing all the alcohol, have guests bring a unique bottle of wine and serve them at the party. To make it a little more interesting, host a tasting of the wines your guests brought. At the end of the night, have guests vote on their favorite! Serve light food, such as cheese & crackers or hors d’oevres to keep it simple and in-expensive. 
• THAT ONE INGREDIENT! Reminiscent of the Food Network Hit, Iron Chef, try getting creative with your guests. Provide one main ingredient (such as steak, fish, etc.) and have your guests bring the rest! Have them prepare the dishes in front of you and you can all vote on the best dish! It gives everyone a chance to try something new and leaves everyone sharing in the cost. 
• FIND A NEW MEETING PLACE! Instead of spending the time and money getting your house put together for a party, try hosting a party at a public park or pool. Have all the guests bring something to eat and drink. Have someone in charge of bringing a portable speakers to play some music and its’ a perfect, no mess, budget-friendly party!

Kid’s Celebrations

If you have kid’s parties this summer there is no reason that you have to break your bank to throw a great party that kids will never forget! 

• MAKE YOUR CAKE & EAT IT TOO! Try hosting a “make your cupcake/cake party” for the kids. Guests at the party can help design and bake their own sweet treats. It acts as both the activity and the dessert for the kids & adults that attend! 
• ACCESSORY SWAP! Everyone knows that kids love to pick out the theme for their birthday celebration, chances are that one of their other friends already had the same idea. Try borrowing or bartering with parents to exchange and use the decorations! Reusing and recycling these products also cuts down on waste in the environment. 
• LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Try having the party in your house or outside in your own backyard. That way you will save money on renting out a kid’s party room or paying your public pool to host the party. If it’s hot, bring out the sprinklers and enjoy frozen summer treats like ice cream and cool drinks. Cute idea: Make your own Sundae Parties! 
• HIRE SOME HELP! Hire some local teens/babysitters to help host the party, that way you can keep the kids entertained and they can help with clean-up! You also won’t have to spend extra money on children’s entertainers or party planners. 
• GAMES! The best part about kids’ birthday parties is the games and is essential for the event. Instead of going out and purchasing all new games, try setting up “game stations” with board games that you already own. Invite parents of the kids over to help supervise, depending on the age and rotate stations once each game is complete! It keeps the kids entertained, but your budget in tact. 
• MAKE YOUR OWN…piñata! One of the most popular birthday items for kids at their parties are the piñatas! Who wouldn’t love to whack a fun-shaped object with a stick hung from a tree and have candy pour out? Instead of spending money on a store-made piñata, have the kids at the party make their own piñata and help them stuff it themselves! It’s cost effective for you and even more fun for them! 
• ARTS & CRAFTS! At the supermarket you can find hundreds of items that you can use for creative arts & crafts projects for the party guests to enjoy at great prices. From paper bag puppets to paper mache dolls and macaroni creations, it is fun for all ages and allows for guests to take home their masterpieces at the end of the party!