Halloween parties can be a ton of fun. Unfortunately, they can also be expensive to host. Here are some ideas on how to throw a Halloween party on a budget.
One reason some people choose not to host Halloween parties is because they’re close to Christmas and that holiday generally takes all of their extra money. But there’s no reason why you can’t celebrate both holidays and do so without breaking the bank.
Start out by creating a budget. Think of all the items you’ll need: food, beverages, decorations, and invitations. Decide how much you can afford to spend and then stick to that amount.
Food and Beverages
You can save money on food and beverages if you ask everyone to bring something, similar to having a pot luck dinner. You can also reduce the amount you spend by purchasing as much as you can from dollar or discount stores. Avoid local grocery stores except for items you can’t find cheaper elsewhere.
Schedule your party after dinner. Most people will have already eaten and you can serve snacks rather than a full meal. This alone can save you quite a bit.
Serve non-alcoholic beverages. Again, you can ask your guests to bring a 2-litre drink. If the party is for adults and they’re convinced they can’t have Halloween without alcoholic drinks, ask them to bring their own.
Decorations
If Halloween is on any day except Saturday, you can plan your celebrations for the Saturday following Halloween and still have a great party. By planning the party after the holiday, you can get decorations at the after-Halloween sales.
You can wait until the last minute to get decorations. Halloween items generally go on sale the day of Halloween. Buy items you need at a saving and still have great decorations.
Plan ahead. Buy a plastic container and buy Halloween items after the holiday and save them for the next year. Decoration needs aren’t likely to change from year to year, so you could save a good deal of money and have great decorations.
Find table cloths, plates, napkins, cups, and service wear at a dollar store. If you want to stick with traditional Halloween colors, go for orange and black. They may also have other Halloween decorations you can grab without breaking your budget.
You can also order decorations from an online source like Oriental Trading Company or DollarDays. Auction sites may also have decorations for less than you’d get at local stores.
Invitations
Be sure to send out invitations early if you’re having a party. You can find wonderful clip art online to make your own invitations. Find some orange paper and print the invitations on that. The only cost will be paper, ink for printing, and postage. This is much less than buying pre-made invitations. Three to four weeks before the event is a good time to send invitations. Don’t forget to ask those invited to RSVP.
By following these simple ideas, there’s no reason you have to break the bank if you want to enjoy Halloween. Now that you know how to throw a Halloween party on a budget, it’s time to make plans for your own Monster Mash.
