7 Secrets to throwing a New Year’s Eve party on a budget
Everyone will agree that New Year’s Eve is your best excuse to throw a good party. Just because Christmas dinner and gifts burned a hole through your pocket, it doesn’t mean you can’t throw an awesome party on a budget! Just follow our seven secrets and you will be surprised at how much money you end up saving.
- Invite your guests with an e-mail
Save a tree and money by sending out an e-mail invite instead of a traditional paper one. You can create a power point slideshow which you can attach to an e-mail or create an event on Facebook.
- Don’t spend a fortune on decorations
It’s a New Year’s Eve party not a gala event. You don’t need to go all out; chances are no one will notice it after nine anyway. Go to the China mall or a party store and buy some streamers and confetti to throw once the clock strikes 12.
Better yet, here’s how to make your own confetti:
What you’ll need:
Different colours of tissue paper
Left over Christmas gift wrap paper
Scissors
What to do:
Fold your sheets of tissue paper or gift wrap and start cutting them into 1 centimetre strips. Cut them crosswise into rectangles and there you go. Put it into Styrofoam cups and hand one to each guest.
- Throw a classic Bring n Braai or Potluck
Don’t be shy, South Africa created an excuse for you to ask people to bring their own food, a classic bring n braai. Ask your guests to bring a dish and hold a potluck. Only make sure to discuss who brings what before you end up with five chicken casseroles.
Have everyone chip in and buy a bunch of pizzas. Get a variety of flavours and that way everyone can get a slice of everything.
- You do not buy the alcohol
This is where you have to draw the line. Can you imagine having to buy alcohol for everyone? You’ll go into the New Year crying. Everyone brings their own alcohol and you can buy what you’d like to drink for yourself.
- Play music from your I-pod or laptop
Don’t hire a DJ for the event. Put together a playlist on your laptop, plug in some speakers and start dancing. If you don’t have adequate speakers, you can always ask if you can borrow a friend’s speakers for the night.
- Create a Selfie booth
This does not have to be expensive. Set out a corner in your home and decorate the booth with glitter and streamers. Fold origami flowers or cranes and hang them from the ceiling around the booth. As props, buy a feather boa and glitter hat.
Instead of hiring a photographer or even taking the pictures yourself, your guests can take selfies.
- Don’t take down your Christmas decorations yet
Take the fairy lights from your Christmas tree and string it around your party area or even the selfie booth. This will give your party an elegant touch and set the mood. You can save electricity because the LED lights don’t take as much as your lights normally would.
Just follow these tips and greet the New Year with a smile. Check out our social media pages for more money saving tips.
If you are struggling with debt and can’t find a way out, please contact us on fin@senatorgroup.co.za or phone us on 012 654 0107. We’ll help your start the New Year on the right foot.