Saving on AlcoholWhen we have parties or get-togethers many guests prefer to drink alcohol. Alcohol can get pretty expensive, for example - a 6 pack of Heineken is $8.99.
DIY Photo Booth for PartiesPhoto booths are very popular at parties especially birthdays, engagement parties, weddings, baby showers, get-togethers, holidays and so forth. If you're on a budget - you could have a make shift do it yourself photo booth with simple items you may already have around your home!
Candle SafetyFlickering candles and fragrant candles are a delightful experience at any event. To insure that all candles are lit and extinguished, as each candle is lit, begin to count the number of candles that are lit, write the number of lit candles on a sticky note and post that note in a prominent place.
Preparing for a CelebrationEvery celebration needs preparation. If you are celebrating an event, your attention needs to be focused on the things that need to be done for such an event.
Reuse Changing Table for a Garden PartyWhile having an outside birthday party, my daughter had a brainstorm. She saw her old changing table and brought outside to use as a bar.
Go Kart Racing For Girl's BirthdayI choose to do real go kart racing with helmets and suits, as I am not really a girly girl. My friends got really excited when I said that we were doing real go kart racing.
Company ToothpicksGive your dinner guests the option of wooden or plastic toothpicks after a wonderful dinner.
Save Mylar Balloons and Reinflate ThemIf you have no other use for the deflated Mylar balloons, simply save them to be reinflated on another occasion. If you insert a straw at least 6-8 inches in length up into the hole where it was originally inflated, you can press out the remaining helium in order to store the balloons flat.
Combine School Birthday Parties With A FriendA local indoor soccer center hosts parties and was reasonably priced, especially once we split the cost in half! It was a large enough space that both kids could invite as many friends as they wanted.
Make Children's Game Out of Party CleanupIf you attend or host a fairly large party that leaves lots to cleanup, try asking the children to get involved. Give each of them a trash bag, and offer a prize to the child who fills up their bag first.
Accept Help When Having A PartyWhen having a party and you have people that would like to help out, actually take them up on it and delegate the duties. Someone to decorate, someone to make up the relish trays, somebody to dust and vacuum, somebody to bring a side dish, somebody to make the invites.
Preventing Holiday SnackingWhen going to a party or get together, take a small toothbrush and a minty flavored toothpaste. Brushing your teeth acts as a natural appetite suppressant, and anti-snacking strategy because of the mint in the toothpaste.
Redistribute Leftovers After an EventAfter an event, many things may just be tossed out because everyone is too tired to think of anything else. But it's better to re-distribute the leftover food, cake, drinks, water bottles, napkins and so on among those who worked so hard to put the event together.
Keep Track Of Guest's Beverage ChoicesWhen preparing for a party - either for a large group or just some friends over for dinner - it is sometimes hard to remember what beverages people enjoy, especially with the huge variety of soft drinks now available.
Decorate Cheap Plain Paper Tableware With Holiday StickersThe cost of holiday napkins, cups, etc. is more than you need to pay. You can get the same effect for much less by buying your paper goods at the dollar store and decorating them with holiday themed stickers. This also works for kids themed birthday parties.
Makeshift Warming TrayNow you can all eat together instead of "the mom" having to reheat each plate. The food now has not cooled off sitting in the serving bowls on the dining table.
Serving Dishes on a BudgetWould you love to throw a party, but you don't have enough nice serving dishes? Well here are a couple of low cost ideas.
Cutting Sheet Cakes - Ask for LinesSometimes purchased sheet cakes can be a problem to cut into uniform pieces so I always ask the bakery to put "hash marks" or even divisions on the cake top . . .
Dog Bowls as Serving DishesWhen I have my rescue group over (I'm a member of a local dog rescue group) I serve nuts, candy and other snacks in cute dog bowls that have never been used for dogs. Some of these bowls are really cute and everyone gets a kick out of them.
Painted PillowcasesMy daughter recently had a 4th birthday party. We invited 3 of her friends and painted handprint flowers on pillowcases. We painted as soon as they arrived and by the time the party was over, the paint was dry!
Keep Candles from Tipping OverBefore putting candles into a candle holder or candle stick, melt some wax and drip it in the bottom of the holder. Then place the candle into the holder.
Party Activity - Goodie BagsHere is a fun way to get the little party goers involved. Get some decorations from a craft store or just little glueables around the home. Like puffy balls wiggly eyes for a face, foamys, or buttons etc.
Pool Party Safety TipsIt's swimming pool season, which means kids and accidents. If you are having a party designate 1 adult as the "Pool Watcher" for a half hour.
Clean Up After Water Balloon FightsWater balloon fights are always a big hit at summer kids parties, but the burst balloons all over the ground are a hazard to wildlife and curious toddlers. Encourage kids to clean up by offering a prize for the one who picks up the most bits of rubber balloon.
Pre-Address Thank You NotesTo help encourage timely Thank-you cards after a party, Baptism, etc., I began addressing the thank you envelopes while I was addressing the invitations, when the energy level was still high.
Take Advantage of Birthday PerksCheck and see which restaurants offer the birthday person a FREE desert or a discount coupon on a meal. They usually will sing Happy Birthday too!
Labeling Dishes for a PotluckWhenever you go to a potluck type party, label your dish with a return address label. Don't forget to label your utensil (i.e. spatula, serving spoon), too.
Lighting Birthday CandlesWhen lighting candles on a birthday cake. Instead of lighting match after match, or using one of the candles and getting melted wax all over the cake, use a piece of uncooked spaghetti.
Cookie Cutters as Napkin RingsInexpensive cookie cutters make cute seasonal napkin rings.
By Linda
Mommy SleepoverThis is a fun idea for Mommies of all ages. Send out an invitation in the shape of a sleeping bag or a big pillow. Invite your friends to bring a sleeping bag and their best PJ's and come sleep with you.
