It’s almost time to ring in a new year. It’s time to start anew, make goals, and…have a great party! We hope these tips help you be frugal and plan an amazing party!
Make it Cozy
Hosting your party at home will help you be frugal, but it also has other advantages. It’s more cozy and more comfortable than a restaurant. Hosting it at home will also probably bring offers of help from your friends. Don’t turn them down! When they ask what they can bring, let them help out by bringing an appetizer or noisemakers. Letting your friends help in small ways will help you be frugal in a big way.
Keep Up the Lights
Because of the proximity of the Holidays and New Year’s Eve, Holiday decorations still feel festive on New Year’s Eve. You don’t have to leave the tree up, but save some of the lights to hang on curtain rods or to use as a DIY photo background. Stars and anything glittery also go well for the celebration. Shop post-holiday sales at Kmart and Kohl's for decoration deals you can re-use year after year.
Shop Right
If you haven’t heard of Oriental Trading yet, be sure to check them out for those things you do want to buy. You may need to plan ahead because things sell out, but if you find something you love close to New Year’s, it’ll probably be on sale! Photo stick props, noisemakers, New Year’s headbands and glasses – you’ll also find these types of things at Party Supplies Delivered .
YouTube the DJ
Instead of paying for a live band or DJ, make a YouTube playlist and play it through your Wii, BluRay Player, Apple TV, or on your computer. The bonus will be that the official music videos playing on the TV provide a little extra entertainment and sometimes even serve as conversation starters. Use iTunes to build your playlist for cash back savings.
DIY the Game
If you want entertainment that is a little more festive than the games you have on hand, look online for free printable games instead of purchasing a new one.
BYO Drink
A fun theme for a New Year’s Eve party is to have friends bring their favorite cocktail. It’s more festive than ‘BYOB’ but still as frugal. You could set up a drinks table and everyone could vote on their favorite!
Have a Plan
Speaking of drinks, your party will be a lot more fun if you make a few plans, one of which should be how to handle guests who are ready to go home and can’t drive. Have a designated driver, make space for guests to crash at your place, or otherwise, arrange for transportation.
And don’t forget to make a plan for how you’ll ring in the new year. Set an alarm so you can watch the ball drop in Times Square, or have a big digital timer with a countdown and a recording of 'Ole Lang Syne' ready. You won’t want to be fumbling around when you realize it’s getting close to midnight.
In the words of Benjamin Franklin, we hope you’ll “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”
Check out our related posts: How to Be Frugal With Stocking Stuffers and How to Be Frugal When Wrapping Presents
