Throwing a graduation party can seem like a daunting task for many. And if you are looking to throw one on a budget, it can feel like an outright nightmare! Don’t worry, we have put together a list of tips and tricks to help teach you how to throw a nice graduation party on a budget!
Set a realistic budget
The first step when planning an affordable graduation party will be to set a realistic budget. Without a clear budget in mind, it can get easy to overlook some of your costs and overspend. Setting a clear budget will allow you to allocate a certain portion of money aside for each purchase you will need to make.
That being said, it is equally important to set a realistic budget. If you think you will be able to throw a good party for $50, you might need to drastically lower your expectations. Allocating the appropriate amount, in terms of expectation and your current financial situation, will help you not only throw a nice party, but allow you to enjoy the party without feeling the guilt of overspending.
Host the party at your home (or a park)
One easy way to cut the cost of a graduation party is to throw the party at your own home. This can save on fees associated with renting out a gym, banquet hall, restaurant, or anywhere else you might think of having the party. Having the party at your house can give a welcoming feeling to the guests, and can provide the added benefit of including both indoor and outdoor activities.
If you live in an apartment, do not have a house with enough space to accommodate the number of guests you are inviting, or simply do not want people walking around your house, a park could be your next best bet. Many parks do not require a fee in order to reserve a pavilion, you must simply just call ahead and reserve. Make sure to do your research and call parks in your area to find the right accommodation.
Send digital invites
When inviting guests, some families will print out invitation cards to hand out in person. While this is a nice gesture, it can easily eat into your budget without providing much value in return. Instead, design a digital invite on a website such as Canva, and send out the invite through text or email. This can give the same welcoming feeling as a physical invite, and will give you more money to allocate to different areas of the party.
Make your food at home, or plan a potluck
Another major area where you can save money when throwing a potluck is in your food choice. Instead of catering food from a restaurant, which can end up costing hundreds of dollars, make all the food yourself, or plan the party as a potluck where each guest brings a different dish to enjoy. This can help you shave a lot of money off the overall cost of the party and keep yourself within your budget. The number of guests you are inviting can help determine whether you should ask them to bring a dish, or if you can cook it all yourself.
Rent everything you need, don’t buy
Possibly the best way to throw a graduation party while on a budget is to rent everything you need instead of buying it. Something like a charcuterie board set could cost you $100 only for you to store it in a cabinet and never use it again. On our app, you can rent a set for about $5 a day. This goes for all your party needs, such as a large outdoor tent which will cost you ~$25/day, or a bouncy castle for the kids to play in for ~$22/day.
The same goes for your entertainment. Instead of buying outdoor games and spending hundreds of dollars to let them sit in your garage and collect dust after, rent your entertainment from our app. You can find a Giant Jenga Block Tower for ~$&/day, a Giant Tic Tac Toe game for ~$2.50/day, or a Ladder Toss game for ~$4/day.
Download our app today, and rent almost anything you will need for your party, for a fraction of the price!
