Planning a Party on a Budget

You can afford a party. 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. Your guests will never even notice the difference.

The sacred budget
You have $200 to spend on planning a party for 50. 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.

Compare, compare, compare
When it comes to deep-discount or dollar stores, always comparison shop. 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.

Impulse buys destroy budgets
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.

Scrimping no-nos
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 sodas when guests are expecting their usual favorites and a noticeable taste difference exists. A good rule of thumb: if guests will be able to detect that you've scrimped on an item, you probably shouldn't do so.

Never purchase food items at dollar or deep-discount stores. Many people do buy food at discount retailers and have no problems. However, 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.

Prioritize big-ticket purchases
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 to the best pastry shop in your area and buy him that to-die-for chocolate ganache wonder, high priced or not.

You can do it
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.Choose one or two items that deserve an extra investment-items that will mean something to the person for whom the party is being given or really enhance the overall party experience. Shell out a little extra green when selecting those super-special items.