Inexpensive Elegance: Beautiful Budget Bashes
 

Pay the babysitter. Pay the mortgage. Buy diapers. Buy groceries. Buy the kids’ holiday outfits. Buy yourself a salon appointment at least once a millennium. Forget the salon, the car won’t start. Pay for the party of your dreams? Yeah…right.

With current economic realities leaving many of us short on cash, planning a party may at first seem like an extravagance that simply won’t fit into your family’s budget.

But, if you’re willing to be realistic, and invest a little extra time in planning your event, you can throw a great party on a small budget. I promise, your guests will never even notice the difference!

OK. So, you have $500 to spend on planning a party for 50. No you don’t! Remember, the car won’t start. You really have $200. Guess what? You can still have a super party. Determine a truly realistic party budget, and faithfully stick to that budget, no matter what temptations may arise.

Do NOT overlook your local discount dollar stores, when party-shopping on a budget. While big name party stores may offer some more specialized items, and a bigger selection, dollar stores offer penny-pinchers purchasing power.

When dollar stores first hit the scene, the majority of their offerings were noticeably flimsy, and selection was limited. With these discount stores now comprising one of the largest, steadily-growing retail industries in the country, dollar stores currently offer a great alternative to the traditional party superstore. Likewise, these stores are popping up in most communities, and are much easier to find than in years past.

• Hot or Cold Cups

• Plates (Plastic/Paper)

• Disposable Tablecloths (Plastic/Paper)

• Invitations

• Thank-you notes

• Foil

• Sandwich Bags

• Paper Towels

• Holiday-themed decorations

• Streamers

• Party Favors for Children

• Wrapping Paper

• Plastic Serving Platters

• All Varieties of Foil Cookware

• Chafing Trays and Accessories

Even when it comes to deep-discount or dollar stores, always comparison shop. Trust me, if your local dollar store sells chafing trays and accessories, you’re definitely going to save a good deal of money over prices for the same items at just about any party store. However, dollar store paper towels at $1 a roll are no bargain; you can usually get them for less than a dollar at your local grocery store. Likewise, pay attention to quantities offered. A party store may sell 10 cups for $2, while a dollar store may sell 25 similar cups for $1.

Usually, you’ll find yourself falling in love with a particular pattern or theme for your party. You may stumble across corresponding items in a certain store that seem to compliment your ideas perfectly. Resist the impulse to buy on the spot—particularly if you’re in a mainstream party store. Check out competitors’ party stores and deep-discount retailers. Party and discount-store prices on the same, or very similar items, may vary by as much as several dollars. You can always find great ideas at higher-end stores, and actually purchase comparable items at discount stores, keeping your party budget on track.

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-April Dawn Shinske