Are you planning a party but worried about breaking the bank? Do you dream of elaborate party decorations but need to plan a party on a budget? If you’ve come across my parties, you’ve probably assumed that I spend an absolute fortune to pull these off! But I’m here to tell you, that is far from the case. Check out these tips for saving money while planning your next party!
Set the Mood with Wall Draping for Your Party on a Budget
Leave behind the expensive backdrops or draping: every party I’ve thrown I’ve decorated using $2 reusable plastic table covers. This past weekend, I threw my daughter an epic Wicked birthday party and scavenger hunt. The entire setup for the walls to create The Emerald City in my garage was under $30!
Drape the standard sized rectangular table cover across the wall and tape it down using painters tape. Roll the tape so it’s double sides and hide it from behind. If you need extra support and can’t double side it, cover the tape up with some pieces of craft foam. Then, tape them over the painters tape for a final touch.
Create Party Decorations Using Cardboard Boxes for a Party on a Budget
Don’t buy cardboard boxes for your creations. Visit your local shops. Especially on restocking days, ask them if you can take some empty boxes off their hands! Various stores will have different shapes and sizes available depending on the products they stock.
Once you have your free boxes, cut them into the desired shape. Then, tape them together as necessary with masking tape before painting them.
To recreate Glinda’s boat from Wicked, I used two large boxes and taped them together! I then painted one side of it with two coats of paint. The other side remained untouched as the guests would never see it.
Combine Party Decor with Party Favors
Skip the party favor bags of assorted toys and instead opt for crafting your own party favors. It’s an even bigger bonus if these can double for props or activities used during the party.
For my son’s Secret Agent Party, I created Top Secret Party Favor boxes full of everything they would need for their mission. The items I created or purchased were included in the activities. After the party, the kids got to take their spy kits home. In the end, I didn’t need to spend any extra money on separate party favors!
For my son’s Spiderman Party, I created sturdy paper rings modeled after Dr. Strange’s portal ring from Spiderman: No Way Home. The kids used these during the scavenger hunt to “open” the portal and got to take them home as well! At my daughter’s Wicked Party, the kids had an assortment of beads to make their own necklaces during the party, as well as some kids makeup and hair clips to choose from for the makeover activity, and then took their crafts home at the very end. The hair clips, beads, and handheld mirrors were all purchased from a value shop!
Use Wrapping Paper Instead of Paint for Crafts
If you are decorating a box that would require a hefty amount of paint, get a roll of cheap wrapping paper in the correct color instead. Not only will the project be done in minutes, you won’t have to spend the money on multiple bottles of paint. Or the time and energy painting! For my son’s Minecraft party, I did just that when I build the Creeper and Wither for him and his friends to fight.
Skip the Lunch Spread and Dessert Tables for a Party on a Budget
By throwing a party in the mid-afternoon, you guarantee that the kids will have already been fed. Therefore, you will only need snacks throughout the party. Honestly, if they’re engrossed in the activities, they may barely need to eat at all!
Offer three or four easy to grab and go options like popcorn, chips, fruit, and vegetables. If you want to include a protein option, cut up some cubes of cheese! A little goes a long way!
Skip the fancy Pinterest worthy dessert table and focus on one main dessert to feature for the kids. Whether it’s cake, cupcakes, cookies, ice cream, popsicles, or snow cones (whatever your child loves!), your child and their friends will undoubtedly be thrilled.
Use Your Surroundings for a Party on a Budget
With some creative touches, you can truly transform any space! Turn a hallway or narrow kitchen into a maze, the living room into Superhero headquarters or bedroom, the dining room into a science lab, or cover all of those ugly storage boxes in your garage with plastic table covers to create awesome dimension for your party space!
Use What You Already Own for a Party on a Budget
Chances are your kid already has some items related to the party’s theme: after all, you’re picking the theme for a reason! Collect their toys, action figures, and whatever else they have lying around the house that matches the theme and incorporate it into your decorations!
For my son’s Spiderman Kid Avenger’s themed party, I collected all of the toys, trading cards, and props he had and displayed them on the bookshelf for the party.
Craft Your Decorations By Hand
Get out your paper, scissors, glue sticks, and cardboard boxes! Not only will you save money crafting your own decorations, you’ll have plenty of fun in the process.
Do you need help thinking outside the box on ways to save money for your next party on a budget? Drop a comment below with your questions and I’ll be happy to make suggestions to the best of my abilities.
If you’re ready to starting party planning but don’t know where to start, check out my digital DIY party kits full of party itineraries, scavenger hunt clues, and decoration templates! For more party ideas, follow my blog on Instagram at Life in Stepping Stones or my party shop, Imagine Party Kits.