Throwing a large birthday party doesn't have to cost a lot.
Many party throwers think that planning a soiree for a large amount of guests has to be difficult and costly; fortunately, this is not the case. With a little research and organization, throwing a large party can be just as easy--and cheap--as having a get-together for a small group of people and still be fun and enjoyable for all involved. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Set a budget, and stick to it. When you throw a large party, it is inevitable that you are going to spend a decent amount of money. Spending can easily become out of control unless you determine how much you can spend and stay within that number. Before you purchase anything, price check with several vendors to ensure you are paying the best price. If possible, find out how much everything, including the food, venue and decorations, will cost before you even start spending. Keep a tally of how much everything costs, and check it frequently to ensure you are staying in your budget.
2. Plan a guest list. Knowing the number of guests you're inviting is necessary to help you pick a venue and know how much of certain supplies you'll need. A guest list will also help you to stay organized and ensure that you have invited all of the people you wanted to come. Go over the list a few times to make sure you haven't left anyone out. Leave room on the list to note who is coming, so you can plan seating and food accordingly.
3. Choose a venue that is large enough to accommodate all of your guests. Typically, the bigger the venue, the higher the cost. You can avoid spending a lot of cash by having the party at your home or a close friend or relative's. However, having the party at a home runs the risk of having personal property stolen or damaged. In addition, you will likely have a lot to clean up when the party is over, as well. Instead of a more pricey venue, like a hotel or bar, consider renting out a church or firehouse hall to save money, if you choose not to have the party at home. Inquire about any fees associated with the rental space, including alcohol and music permits, electricity and clean-up costs.
4. Ask your guests to bring food and alcohol. Requesting a little help is perfectly acceptable when throwing a large party. Although you do want to provide most of the fare, graciously accept help when it is offered. In addition, feel free to include a "Bring Your Own Beer" request on the invitations. Alcohol is quite expensive, and supplying it for a large guest list can ruin your budget rather fast. If your guests want to drink, it is totally understandable to request that they supply their own alcohol. If you choose to provide all of the alcohol, consider purchasing the liquor from a discount store to save on costs. Serving beer and wine is usually a safe option, as most folks usually like one or the other.
When choosing your menu, decide if you want to supply appetizer-like food or entrees. Always provide more than you think will be eaten. Be sure to purchase a birthday cake that will feed all of your guests, or opt for cupcakes, instead.
5. Send Internet invitations to your guests, if possible. Purchasing invitations and the postage necessary to mail them can become quite costly. Therefore, send your evites or emails to your guests. You can also invite guests using social networking sites. For instance, Facebook has an application that allows its users to send invitations to their friends. Although you might not be able to use the Internet to send invitations to all of your guests, you likely can for many, which can help cut costs.
If you choose not to send your invitations over the Internet, making them on the computer at home is often cheaper than buying them from the store. If you decide to purchase them, consider buying them from a crafts or dollar store to save money.
6. Provide adequate seating space for all of your guests. Although you want your guests to walk around and mingle with others, you also want them to be comfortable. To be safe, you should have enough seating so that each attendee can sit down at the same time. If there aren't enough chairs or other furniture, they may get tired of standing and end up leaving. In addition, your guests may find it too difficult to eat while standing, depending on what you are serving. Therefore, provide tables, chairs and couches for your guests to relax and eat. Consider using folding chairs for your guests, as they can be placed most anywhere and can be removed easily if they get in the way.
7. Place decorations in various locations throughout the venue, such as the tables and walls. Avoid decorations that will get in your guests' way, such as low-hanging decorations or large centerpieces that make it difficult to reach items on the table.
8. Play music that is appropriate to the environment and crowd. For instance, if the attendees are mostly children or senior citizens, avoid music that has cursing or provocative lyrics. Keep the music low enough so that people can talk without having to shout.
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