From the food to decorations, planning a party can be very strenuous on your wallet. This article details some practical ways on how to save money on party supplies.
With the cost savings, you can allocate those funds towards the cost of food or towards your next event.
All in all, don’t shy away from planning a party because you think that you need a large budget. There are plenty of ways to save money in the short and long term.
How to Save Money on Party Supplies
Borrow Items From Friends and Family
One of the main areas on how to save money on party supplies is to borrow.
Borrowing items, especially if they’re only being used for the party, is a much cheaper option than going out and purchasing them.
If your friends/family have an item that you would like to incorporate into your party setting, kindly ask if you can use it.
While borrowing the items, ensure that you take really good care of them. Returning them in the same or even better condition than it was given to you.
Shop Second Hand
In addition to being an eco-friendly option, shopping second hand can be much cheaper than buying new.
Many second hand consignment stores have unique pieces that you can use for your party. Which can help elevate the look and uniqueness of your party setting.
You can find some beautiful items at consignment/thrift stores such as:
- Glassware
- Tablecloths
- Plates
- Silverware
- Faux flowers
Although shopping second hand requires a little bit more time and energy, you can be rewarded with unique and cheaper finds.
So, if you’re not pressed on time, scour your local thrift stores and see what amazing treasures you discover.
Invest in High Quality Items
While buying higher quality items may come at a higher upfront cost than their cheaper or disposable counterparts, it will be much cheaper in the long run.
Investing in items that can be reused for multiple occasions, eliminates having to repurchase that item. Thus lowering the cost per use.
For instance, investing in a high quality neutral tablecloth that’s durable, stain resistant, and is able to withstand the test of time; may be cheaper in the long run than frequently purchasing disposable plastic tablecloths.
In addition to cost saving opportunities, investing in higher quality items probes many great environmental benefits. Such as reducing the amount of trash being transported into landfills.
Shop Around Your Home
Prior to making new purchases, take the time to take inventory of your home and see what items could be used for the party.
You may be surprised to see that you have certain plates, tablecloths, trays, and other materials that can fit the party’s layout perfectly.
Purchase Unthemed Party Items
Themed party decorations are sometimes a little bit more expensive than their unthemed counterparts.
Furthermore, opting for unthemed items that don’t have any features pertaining to a specific holiday or occasion, can help you reuse that item for other events.
For instance, if you have a serving tray that has a picture of a Christmas tree on it, it may limit you to using that tray only during the Christmas season.
Versus, a solid colored white tray that can be used for a variety of occasions such as Christmas, Birthdays, Thanksgiving, etc.
Now, just because you’re opting for unthemed items does not mean that the party’s ambiance will be visually dull.
You can easily showcase the party’s theme through balloons, banners, music, food, and the color palette of your decorations.
Create a Party Vision Board
In planning a party, it might be very exciting to start purchasing items right away.
However, creating a vision board for your party can help you hone in on the party’s visual aesthetics.
Now that you have an image of what you’re going for, it may lead to less impulse purchases on random items that do not fit the party theme.
Shop Around
The same way that we look at reviews prior to making a purchase, is the same for a party.
Allocate a sufficient amount of time during the planning stage for the party, so that you’re able to shop around before making purchases.
Look at various retailers and see what their prices are for the same or similar item. Then, make your selection based on your important factors such as the best value or/and quality.
