Welcoming the New Year celebrations are always exhilarating, although they may provide an all too convenient reason to indulge and overspend. Between delicacies, drinks, parties, travelling to and fro and overnight accommodation charges can accumulate substantially just for a single day. However, you can still relish and throw a New Year’s Eve bash within your means.
As we stand on the brink of 2020 and ensure a grand welcome to the new decade, you may be tempted to indulge even more. Yet, wouldn’t it be better to usher in a fresh year with a healthy bank balance instead of depleting it all in one night? Ringing in the New Year stylishly doesn’t mean you have to squander your savings. Hosting your own party can be a cost-effective, enjoyable way to celebrate.
Here are five entertaining and cost-effective methods for throwing a New Year’s Eve get-together without breaking the bank.
1. HOST A POTLUCK PARTY:
A potluck at your home is an ideal way of eliminating excessive spending, travel trouble, and soaring bar expenses. Remember to invite friends and family ahead of time for headcount. To save on food, ask every guest to bring a dish and a bottle of champagne. Split the costs by having a signup sheet for everyone to contribute to the food. If you decide to cater the main meal, your invitees can bring the rest of the spread.
2. JOIN A FREE CITYWIDE CELEBRATION:
Many cities host complimentary New Year’s Eve festivities filled with live entertainment. You can virtually ‘host’ a gathering at one such occasion. Look up on the internet for public events happening in your proximity. Though you might need to purchase food and drinks, utilizing public transport will help to cut costs. The closer you are to your home, the less you would spend on overnight accommodation.
3. SERVE AFFORDABLE SNACKS & FOODS:
If you undertake the task of organizing the food, make it inexpensive with finger foods and basic munchies. Foods like pretzel bites with cheese, chicken skewers, or homemade pigs in a blanket are affordable and filling. Bulk purchases from wholesalers like Costco can offer good value. Serve chips, dip and homemade veggies; to satiate the sweet tooth, consider baking brownies and cookies which are cheaper than store-bought ones.
4. ECONOMIZE ON DECORATIONS:
Investing heavily in ornaments for a budget-friendly New Year’s Eve party seems unnecessary. Reuse your holiday decorative items and/or check your local dollar store. Use in-hand objects like candles, vases, and tablecloths for setting up the ambiance. If decorating feels hectic, you can skip it completely. Good company, food, and entertainment are the real party enhancers.
5. THRIFTY ENTERTAINMENT:
There are numerous low-priced or cost-free activities to liven up your gathering. Do not allow the idea of planning and hosting a party overwhelm you. While conversation is a key part of the gathering, it’s a good idea to plan a few games and exercises. Use available board or card games for the party. Streaming music from your phone or playing virtual games could also be fun. Encourage your guests to reflect on their achievements from the year or create a vision board for the next.
To sum up, greet the new year without dwelling on expenses by throwing your own frugal party. A cost-effective outing can reduce financial stress whilst ensuring an entertaining night. Adopt simplicity with food and do not hesitate to solicit guests to pitch in especially with alcoholic drinks, as those costs can quickly increase. Arrange a few games or conversation initiators to keep the party engaging and enjoyable.
So, how are you planning to celebrate the New Year?
