How to Host a Graduation Party On a Budget

Parties are a great way to celebrate a graduation. When you are on a budget, however, affording a large party can be difficult. Thus, when your graduate has many friends and family to invite, cutting corners and making the graduation party more affordable is a good idea. There are several ways to throw a graduation party on a budget.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• invitations
• menu

1. Create your own invitations, or use electronic invitations (like evite.com). Purchasing formal invitations from your school can be expensive. You can always purchase a handful of nice invitations as keepsakes and to send to family or older relatives who may not have internet access. If your graduate is planning on inviting a lot of friends to his graduation party, creating an e-invitation will save you a lot on the invitations and postage.

2. Do not serve alcohol. Alcohol can be expensive, and serving it at a graduation party with many adults in attendance is tempting. If you have your graduation party mid-day, none of your guests will even miss it.

3. Have your party at home. Renting facilities is expensive, so if you or a friend can throw the graduation party at a home you will avoid this expense. Clear out a garage or car port if your home is too small, or if you think an outdoor party may get rained out.

4. Make your own food. Having a graduation party catered can cost a lot of money. And while purchasing vegetable trays and pre-made barbeque is convenient it can be expensive too and may not mesh well with you budget. Alternatively, purchase foods like baked beans and rolls in bulk at a warehouse store.

5. Ask for help. If you have friends or relatives that are willing to help you provide food or beverages for your graduation party, ask them. Chances are they will not mind.

6. Scrimp on decorations. While it may be fun to decorate your home with balloons and streamers, these decorations are not necessary and foregoing them will save you money. A small table with a layout of pictures along with a nicely decorated cake can serve as decoration enough.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also save money by limiting the number of guests you will have attend.

[kristara]

on 5/20/2009 Great tips! I am hosting a graduation party in June and will be using your advice.