Hosting a 4th of July party is a great way to get your friends and family together for the celebration, but if you are worried about the costs you may have considered not hosting one. Don’t let the high price tags you see in store throw you off your plans to have a great party because it can be done for less. Here are some tip on how you can save money on your fourth of July party.
Plan ahead
Plan every little thing ahead of time. You will need to know who is attending the party, what type of party you want to host, the date, time, and location, and take inventory of things you already have that you can use. These will all help you to determine the cost of your party before you ever begin buying.
Decorations
American-themed decorations can often be bought from dollar stores or you can easily make them. You don’t have to go overboard with the decorations, though, because most people attending a 4th of July party expect a few patriotic themes and not much more. Besides, red, white, and blue are really all you need to make the party patriotic.
Food
Once you have a headcount, make your menu- and don’t be embarrassed to ask people to bring things! Most parties are pot-luck these days, and people understand. Besides, many of your friends and family members will be ready to show off their culinary skills with a great side dish or dessert. Check your paper and online for coupons to save money on the items you do purchase. You can also ask guests to bring their own drinks if they want alcohol. Other than that, making a big pitcher of tea or punch is fairly cheap.
Entertainment
Fireworks are generally the best form of entertainment for a 4th of July party, but buying them for everyone can be expensive. You can either request guests bring their own, or you can have everyone attend the local fireworks display that is sure to be happening nearby. Bring along snacks and drinks, and then head back to the party once the display is over. Another idea is to have a neighborhood display and invite neighbors to combine with your fireworks to make it a bigger show for everyone in the area.
Speaking of Fireworks, be sure to check out these Fourth of July Safety Tips for Kids
Any more tips on saving money on your fourth of July party?
I’m a big believer in Pot lucks and Dollar stores. Make having a party much easier and cheaper.
I have been living at the Oregon coast for years now and am moving slowly but surely. We are lucky for we can see so many fireworks the big kind that people have on the ocean front homes on the beach. They rent or live there and have great big parties. We get to enjoy all of them!!! They are illegal but no one seems to pay attention to that. Potlucks are always wonderful!!
Love your ideas. We do a neighborhood party as well as a family party on the 24th, which is our state holiday, and we always know that everyone will bring fireworks and food which combines in to a nice big party
Great tips! We always enjoy our neighbors’ fireworks- we did the whole buy out the stand thing years ago.
Planning ahead is the main and most important tip that
you can give
I really appreciate these tips! We are already WAY over budget so they really come in handy!
We fortunately have a neighbor whose job is working with fireworks and such. So he does a great free fireworks show for our neighborhood every year.
Great tips here to save for that party. Especially like the potluck tip.
I always set out to ask people to bring things, but then change my mind and do it all myself, except for my parents. I don’t know why I always do this!
Getting people to help relieves mental & financial stress…give it a shot 🙂
great tips and ideas. You can apply the same strategy to any type of party!