Inexpensive Elegance: Beautiful Budget Bashes (Cont.)

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You can save money by being realistic and wisely selecting the retailers from whom you’ll purchase party supplies through comparison shopping. However, there are some things you should keep in mind when scaling back costs.

Don’t scrimp on food. You don’t need to serve filet mignon when you could serve chicken drumsticks with barbeque sauce and save a bundle. Likewise, you can usually get away with serving grocery store brand ziti, instead of a more expensive variety, without a detectable change in taste. But, you probably shouldn’t purchase generic brand sodas when guests are expecting their usual favorites, and a noticeable taste difference exists.

Likewise, I never purchase food items at dollar or deep-discount stores. Many people do buy food at discount retailers, and have no problems. However, I often find that dollar store items’ origination points may be questionable. When it comes to paper goods, shelf-life doesn’t matter. When it comes to potato chips, guests will notice stale items. Since freshness is always a priority with food purchases, I suggest sticking to more traditional grocery stores when buying food for parties.

So, you’ve done a great job. You’ve saved a ton of money by being realistic, comparison shopping, and finding money-saving alternatives to some of your wish-list items.

Now, you can spend a little more money to make a few select aspects of your party extra-special. Let’s say you’re throwing a birthday party for your husband—a man who lives for a good chocolate cake. Go ahead. Go to the best pastry shop in your area and buy him that to-die-for chocolate ganache wonder—high priced or not. You deserve a little bit of extravagance.

Don’t delay enjoying the company of those you care about because your wallet isn’t as thick as you’d like. So many of us spend too much time reading about high-cost celebrity parties, and then somehow arrive at the notion that a respectable event must come at a high-price.

The idea that a great party has to cost a great deal of money is simply false. Establish a clear budget, stick to that budget by adapting a realistic attitude and a commitment to smart shopping. You’ll be able to host a wonderfully enjoyable event, and still make the mortgage payment. That’s how she does it!

April Dawn Shinske has worked in the special events sector for several years, handling logistics for large non-profit fundraising events.  Prior to her work in events planning, she spent time in educational publishing, and as a freelance journalist.