Monday, February 20, 2012

Save Money, Save Time: Tips For Throwing Great Parties

By Cheryl Jerabek


Some helpful hints can save you big money on the parties you throw for years to come. The suggestions are tried and true ideas straight from my own family of big party throwers. And the very best thing is that the pointers are inexpensive and practical.

Years ago, my sister taught me the fine art of thinking ahead to save money on parties. I was throwing my daughter and her husband a party because they were visiting us in Texas. The theme would be "Welcome to Texas" and the colors were to be red, white and blue. I planned to decorate with blue bonnets, cowboy accessories and anything else "Texas".

As I sat at her kitchen table, making a long list of items I would need, wondering where I would find them quickly, I noticed she was bringing out boxes and boxes of "things". She just happened to have a silk arrangement of bluebonnets, red napkins, plates and cups, blue streamers and just about everything else I could want for. Together we even located one lone cowboy boot to place the blue bonnets in.

Amazed, I asked why on earth she had all the supplies I happened to need. That is when she filled me in. "When Christmas is over and everything is on clearance, I stock up," she said. Same with Valentines, Fourth of July and all other holidays. You can use the red items from Christmas for Valentines, the Fourth of July, a birthday party and even a "Welcome to Texas" party.

That is when I decided i too would be a "box lady".

And that's not all...there's more! Not only can you find deals on partyware items, but other things too. After Easter, you can find great deals on pastel serving bowls, rubber duckies and all sorts of things you can later use for a birthday party or shower. You don't even have to know what the occasion will be, just tuck the items' away in the stock box.

Check out dollar stores too. Watch for good deals on party favors, table covers and whatever else might catch your eye for future use.

It's a good idea to keep your supplies together in well marked boxes or labeled tupperware containers. It's not fun to know you have what you need but to be unable to find it.

Stock up on after holiday candies too. If they go stale you can use them for crafts and non-edible decorations.

For example, you can sprinkle red hots on a blue table cover when giving a party with the colors red and blue in the theme. A Candyland Party theme is perfect for using candies at craft time and is a great time to pull out the gingerbread house you got on sale after Christmas last year.

Now you will more than likely rummage through the bargain bins after holidays just as I do. As you pull the items out to use each time, keep a mental tally of the money you have save and you will be amazed.




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