Whether you love throwing parties or you’re going to be a first-time host this year, getting ready for a Fourth of July party is no easy feat.
Not only does every Instagram influencer and major celebrity make throwing parties seem like a piece of cake, but it always seems like everyone has an unlimited budget at their disposal. Do you remember Taylor Swift’s Independence Day parties from years past? I hate to break it to you, but you’re not going to be able to throw a party quite like that (unless, of course, you’ve got the money to do so).
From place settings to elaborate recipes to firework displays, it’s hard to imagine being able to throw a fabulous party on a budget. But, while it’s not necessarily easy, it is possible. In fact, you really don’t need to spend a lot of money to host a great outdoor party this Fourth of July. Stop throwing away money on silly things this holiday weekend and instead invest in what’s most important — spending time with the people you love.
From the decorations to the food to the entertainment, here’s how to throw an amazing party on a budget. Trust me, you can do it!
Set Your Budget
First thing’s first — what’s your budget? Figure out how much money you’re willing to spend on this party and stick to it! Try to map out how much you want to spend on food, decorations, drinks, etc and don’t go over that amount. Having a number in your head before you start spending money will help keep you accountable.
Don’t Go Overboard on the Red, White, and Blue
I know it’s tempting to want to buy every single red, white, and blue decoration, but it’s not necessary. In fact, just a few decorations can go a long way. Rather than buying all new dinnerware, tablecloths, and decorative items, pick and choose where you want to incorporate a little patriotic flair.
For example, you don’t need to go out and buy Fourth of July-themed paper plates, cups, and napkins. People won’t even notice — or really care, for that matter — that they’re eating and drinking on regular paper plates. Instead, buy a fun tablecloth or runner. Your guests will already know they’re celebrating the Fourth of July, so you don’t need to bang them over the head with the theme.
Make It a Potluck
If you’re looking to save money on food, make it a potluck party! You do not need to be the only one supplying the eats, especially if you’re inviting a lot of guests.
Most people have a special Fourth of July or cookout dish they love sharing, so I guarantee your guests won’t mind bringing something along. From potato salad to dips to pies, everyone has their go-to backyard party treat, right? This will ensure there’s enough food for everyone, as well as help you cut back on costs.
You might need to do a little planning here. Figure out what kinds of dishes people want to bring, such as desserts or appetizers. You can fill in the gaps–and make sure you don’t end up with twenty appetizers and only two desserts.
Simple and Delicious
While the potluck model is a great solution to keeping you on budget, I understand if you don’t feel comfortable asking your guests to bring food. If you’re set on providing the food yourself, keep it very simple. You don’t need to make any elaborate dishes or toil away in the kitchen to make some complicated recipe you found on Pinterest.
Instead, just provide the basics! Have chips and dips for appetizers, hotdogs and hamburgers for dinner, and cookies for dessert. Most guests aren’t looking to try anything out of the ordinary on the Fourth of July anyway, so don’t feel like you need to provide a five-course meal. It’s a good idea to provide at least one vegetarian or vegan option, however, and be sure to ask your guests if they have any allergies you should know about.
Have One Signature Cocktail
Alcohol can make parties really expensive, so rather than spend a bunch of money buying all sorts of spirits, wine, and beer, offer your guests one signature cocktail. You can make this cocktail in bulk, which will save you money and will make shopping much more efficient.
If you’d rather not offer a cocktail, just make it a beer and wine party. There’s a solid chance your guests will bring beverages anyway, so keep it simple with a cooler full of ice-cold beers or cheap white wine. And, to save even more money, you should buy your beer or wine in bulk. Any leftovers (if there even are leftovers) can be used for parties in the future. Win, win!
The Dollar Section Is Your Friend
Stop overspending on decorations and start utilizing the dollar section of your favorite big-box store or The Dollar Store itself. There’s a good chance you’ll only use these decorations one time (especially if they’re obviously Fourth of July themed), so there’s absolutely no need to spend hundreds of dollars on red, white, and blue decor.
In fact, Target has a number of items in their dollar section that would be great for your party From blue string lights to lanterns to a $3 cocktail shaker, the Target dollar section is the way to go. The Dollar Store also has very cheap party supplies. Spoiler alert: everything is a dollar! There is no need to overspend, I promise your guests will not know the difference.
DIY Decorations
Are you a crafty person? There are plenty of easy DIY decorations you can make, such as place settings, door wreaths, lanterns, and table runners. I have even seen people paint their cornhole boards red, white, and blue, just to give their yard a little pop. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try something out of the box. You never know what you may come up with!
Go through any decorations you already have at home and see if anything fits the Fourth of July theme! Maybe you have some red Christmas decorations that could work for Independence Day–you never know. Recycling decorations are always the way to go.
Don’t Stress About Entertainment
Don’t worry about having tons of entertainment for your guests to enjoy. It’s easy to get caught up in what you see on Instagram — as in those people renting bouncy castles or giant slides — and feel like you have to do the same. Trust me: you don’t.
In fact, most people just enjoy sitting down and talking with friends and loved ones. Have a few yard games available for people to enjoy, such as cornhole, badminton, volleyball, or even just a Frisbee, and stop stressing. You also don’t need a fancy pool or a slip n’ slide to entertain children. Kids are very creative, they always find ways to have fun no matter the situation.
Borrow Rather Than Buy
If you are hosting a big group of people, there’s probably a good chance you don’t have enough chairs or tables for everyone. Rather than going out and buying new stuff, ask your friends, neighbors, or family if you can borrow from them instead.
There’s absolutely no need to invest in a new picnic table or 15 new chairs if they’re only going to be used for one party. In fact, there’s nothing wrong with asking your guests to bring an extra chair or two when they arrive. As The Beatles once said, we get by with a little help from our friends.
Stop Paying For Fireworks
Here’s the deal, folks — fireworks are expensive. While they can be fun, they’re oftentimes more trouble than they’re worth. Don’t feel like you need to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on fireworks to through a great Fourth of July party.
Instead, try to plan your party around a local firework show that you and your guests can walk to at the end of the night. Or, if there is no local firework show happening, pick up sparklers (which aren’t very expensive), and celebrate with those instead! Despite the fact Independence Day is often capped off by fireworks, they’re only really fun if there’s a lot of them.
Spend On What’s Important To YOU
The bottom line is that you should spend your money on what is important to you. If you really want to have a variety of dishes and food options, spend your money on that! Or, if you want your backyard space to be full of themed decorations, invest in those instead.
Throw the party you want to throw, not the party you feel like you need to throw. Stop comparing yourself to Instagram influencers and celebrities you may see on Instagram. Just because they spend a lot of money on their parties does not mean they’re more fun. In fact, some of the best parties I’ve ever been to have been the most simple and laid-back. Invite fun people, play awesome music, and let the good times roll!
