How To Have A Summer Party On A Budget

Another great Memorial Day Weekend in the books! Wouldn't you agree?

Wouldn't you also agree that having summer parties us SERIOUSLY so much fun? Having your friends and family around, laughing, making memories, spending time together, and letting loose.  But my goodness, can they add up quickly... The food, the drinks, the games, all of the things! I always end up getting pinterest happy and multiple snacks and cocktails that require every ingredient I seem to be lacking in my pantry because let’s be honest,  As a host, there can be a lot of pressure to throw a fun party, and that often pushes people to spend a lot just to keep up with the last fun party they attended.

So because of this tendency of mine to make summer parties a much bigger investment than necessary, I’ve created 5 tips for myself, and I figured I can’t be the only one struggling with this!

1. Set a budget.

The simple act of setting a budget, and sticking to it, will force you to make trade-offs and avoid feeling like you should offer the finest food and drinks. Without a number in your head, you’ll also be tempted to just buy more. And more. And more. (GUILTY AS CHARGED!)

2. Use invitation tools or make a Facebook event.

An accurate guest count means fewer leftovers and less wasted food – both of which are enemies of the budget-conscious host. Why buy food for 30 when you will only have 20 people attending?

3. Take advantage of your guests’ generosity.

When you invite your friends over for a party, what’s the first thing they ask? “What should I bring?” Take advantage of it!

Ask your guests to bring side dishes and desserts because they often take the most time to prepare and, if they must be chilled, would take up valuable space in your refrigerator.

4. Keep the food simple.

Try to avoid dishes with a lot of ingredients or require a lot of preparation time. Fewer ingredients means fewer items to buy, and simplicity means you can spend more time with your friends, rather than spending time making them food. (GUILTY, AGAIN!)

One of my go to money saver is roasting some corn, which is not only delicious but cheap at the height of its season.

5. Stockpile during sales.

Hot dogs and hamburgers seem to always be on sale at the grocery store – until the week of your party. Stock up on favorites whenever they go on sale, and remember to pull them out of the freezer a day before your cookout.

So get to planning those parties folks! With these tips you can have a great time hosting a summer party without dreading the bill afterwards.