How to Throw a New Year's Eve Party on a Budget

Throwing your 2009 New Year's Eve party might have you stressed out if your budget is tighter this year than in years past. Calm down, relax, and read on to find ways to make your party inexpensive and successful.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Invite your friends using modern technology. Sending invitations via snail mail will cost you 42-cents per stamp, plus the cost of the invitations and envelopes. Instead, create your own digital party invitation using Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, or Photoshop. Email it to all of the people on your guest list, asking them to "just click reply" to R.S.V.P.

2. Make your own party favors. Party stores charge more for occasion-specific party favors, like those that say "Happy New Year." You can make your own by buying plain party hats and noise makers at a dollar store, and writing "2009" or "Happy New Year" on them with a tube of glitter glue.

3. Host the party in your home, rather than at another location.

4. Instead of hiring a band or DJ, hook up your iPod to your laptop computer and your home speakers. Before the party, prepare a playlist of songs that will keep your party energetic and lively. (Don't forget to mix in some slow songs for the romantics.)

5. Make the party a "bring your own" New Year's party, asking all attendees to bring their own bottle of alcohol to add to the bar. Don't bother hiring a bartender, just create a space (table or counter) where people can help themselves. Don't forget to bring out the blender, ice bucket, salt, and mixers so that party-goers can create all sorts of fun drinks.

6. Ask invitees to bring a covered dish. Since most New Year's parties are mostly mingle-and-nibble affairs, ask that your friends bring appetizers and finger foods, rather than things that require too much effort to eat.

7. Ring in the New Year by gathering around the TV, watching New Year's Rockin' Eve on ABC.

8. Make it a Cheapskate theme party (see link in Additional Resources, below).

Resources

• How to Host a Cheapskate Theme Party During an Economic Recession

[vikki9]

on 12/30/2008 Great economical party tips. Thank you and Happy New Year!

[HugoRutten]

on 12/30/2008 I always try to save where I can! Thanks for the links.

[tiffanymiller]

on 12/30/2008 This was very helpful... www.evite.com is a great website to set up a free on-line invitation to your party. You are able to track RSVP's.

After the event you are also able to post pictures on the site for everyone to see! Awesome website :)

[KathrynSkaggs]

on 12/30/2008 Excellent advice and tips on how to throw a New Years Eve Party, without breaking the bank!

[emily1724]

on 12/30/2008 Awesome article! With the way technology is these days, it's amazing postage is still needed! Well written! Thank you!