Are you ready for summer entertaining season? If so, I have the ultimate guide to hosting a summer party on a budget. We all know that summer is the perfect time for outdoor gatherings, whether it’s a casual BBQ with friends, a pool party, or a themed summer soiree. However, we also know that the cost of hosting these events can quickly add up if you’re not careful.
But fear not!
With some strategic planning and creativity, you can host an unforgettable summer bash without breaking the bank.
I’ve had so much traffic to an older post about summer entertaining on a budget that I decided it was a good idea to revisit the topic again with an even deeper dive on how to get the best bang for your buck when it comes to hosting summer parties.
Reasons to Love Summer Entertaining
Summer is such a great time to throw a party because it is a more relaxed time of year. You can easily get away with asking guests to BYOB or to contribute to a potluck. This isn’t exactly the time to throw a fancy dinner party. Let’s save that for the holidays.
Summer is the prime time to casually get together over a holiday weekend or long lazy dog days of summer. Make event planning easy this summer with this ultimate guide to hosting a summer get together on a budget.
Easy Tips for Hosting a Summer Party on a Budget
Plan Ahead and Set a Budget
As always, setting a budget is my top tip for saving money. The first thing you should do when hosting any event is to plan ahead and set a budget. Determine how much you’re willing to spend on food, drinks, decorations, and entertainment. By having a clear budget in mind, you’ll be less likely to overspend and can focus on finding affordable options that fit within your financial constraints.
Not sure how to set a budget? Start here with my values based budgeting system.
Keep the Guest List Small
While it may be tempting to invite everyone you know to your summer party, keeping the guest list small can help you save money. Consider inviting only close friends and family members or limiting the number of guests to a manageable size. Not only will this reduce the cost of food and drinks, but it will also create a more intimate atmosphere where everyone can truly enjoy themselves.
Serve Inexpensive Summer Staples
Instead of splurging on expensive main courses and gourmet dishes, opt for budget-friendly options like a Boston butt shredded for BBQ, sliders, hot dogs, potato salad, and potato chips. These classic summer staples are not only crowd-pleasers but also easy on the wallet. Additionally, consider incorporating seasonal fruits and vegetables into your menu, which tend to be more affordable during the summer months.
Shop for Local Ingredients
While I love checking the grocery stores for the best sales, I often find that the most delicious and cheapest option for fresh food is from local farmers and farmers markets. Food from my local farmer is often cheaper because they don’t have to pay the extra cost for transportation. Local veggies taste better too, allowing you to stick to simple ingredients. Learn more about the importance of shopping local here.
Embrace the Potluck Party:
A summer potluck is a great way to save money and ensure that there’s plenty of food for everyone. Not only will this lighten the load for you as the host, but it will also add variety to the menu and make everyone feel involved in the party planning process. I have two easy potluck themes that are perfect for summer entertaining:
- Provide the main course: This is the perfect way to allow wiggle room in your budget if you want to actually splurge on an expensive main course. You provide a main course and ask guests to bring their favorite side dishes and desserts to share.
- Host a grilling potluck: Do you have a grill master in your family? Try doing a BBQ style potluck where you provide the side dishes, but ask everyone to bring their favorite thing to toss on the grill. This is really fun for dinner parties and it is a great way to cater to dietary needs without having to bend over backwards in your menu planning.
Serve One Signature Cocktail
A cold drink in the summer is the best! But hosting a summer party doesn’t mean you have to have a full open bar for your guests. One of my favorite budget friendly party tips is to serve one signature cocktail and have a variety of beer and wine available. However, you can save even more money by asking guests to BYOB.
Get my watermelon champagne cocktail recipe here!
Skip Bottled Water & Put Water & Fruit in a Beverage Dispenser
Serving water is more than just a great idea, it is a downright necessity in the summer! However, bottled water can be expensive, and it really isn’t that good for the environment. Skip the bottled water and put water and fruit into a large 5 gallon beverage dispenser or a large pitcher. People love seeing lemons, limes, or berries in a beverage dispenser. Infused water just screams “fancy spa water”.
Pro Tip: If you have a huge crowd that includes kids, get one of these big Igloo water coolers and fill it with water, juice or Gatorade. This is so much cheaper than buying individual drinks for the kids.
Use DIY & Reusable Decor
Instead of splurging on expensive decorations and entertainment, get creative and DIY as much as possible. Use mason jars filled with fresh flowers from your garden as centerpieces, hang fairy lights or paper lanterns for ambiance, and set up a DIY photo booth with props for added fun.
I like to buy reusable summer themed party decorations that I can use over and over again. I have fabric bunting and banners and real cloth tablecloths that really elevate the feel of even a casual get together.
Shop at Thrift Stores for Affordable Patio Furniture for Backyard Parties
If you have access to outdoor spaces like a backyard or patio, take full advantage of them when hosting your summer party. When set up correctly, a backyard is the perfect backdrop for a summer soiree.
Check out thrift stores and Facebook marketplace for inexpensive patio furniture. Quite often all they need is a fresh coat of paint. I love having a bunch of different seating options when hosting outside. After all, no one likes to be forced to eat standing up.
Shop Smart for Party Supplies:
Ditch the paper plates, no matter how affordable you think they are! Consider using reusable items like plastic cups and plates to reduce waste and save money in the long run. I’m a big fan of investing in a set of melamine dishes. You can get great deals on them at Home Goods and other discount stores. Party City even has some great options. And of course, you can always shop Amazon (see my favorite set here).
Pro Tip: Head to a thrift shop to get extra silverware, cups, and dishes just to keep on hand for entertaining. It’s okay if it doesn’t match! Mismatching reusable party supplies is not only better for the environment and your budget, but it also allows you to elevate the feel of the party.
Prep Make-Ahead Dishes & Skip Convenience Foods
Save yourself time and stress on the day of the party by preparing make-ahead dishes and drinks that can be easily stored and served when guests arrive. You can save a lot of money by cutting up fruit yourself or making your own salad instead of buying the pre-packaged convenience foods.
Make-ahead salads, dips, and desserts are not only convenient but also allow you to enjoy the party without being stuck in the kitchen the whole time.
Keep Entertainment Simple
You don’t need to spend a fortune on entertainment to ensure that your guests have a good time. Simple activities like playing board games, listening to music on a Bluetooth speaker, or having a dance party are all great ways to keep guests entertained without breaking the bank. If you’re hosting a pool party, consider setting up an outdoor TV or projector for a movie night by the pool.
If you have kids, you can even print out a scavenger hunt to keep them entertained.
Have a Backup Plan
Finally, always have a backup plan in case of inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Whether it’s renting a tent or relocating the party indoors, having a backup plan in place will ensure that your summer party goes off without a hitch regardless of what Mother Nature throws your way.
Hosting a summer party doesn’t have to cost a fortune
With a little creativity, planning, and smart shopping, you can throw an amazing bash that your guests will remember for years to come without breaking the bank. So gather your friends and family, fire up the grill, and get ready to make some unforgettable memories in the warm breeze of summer.
Do you have any other tips to add? Put them in the comments!
Stick Around for More Summer Hosting Ideas
If you made it this far, I bet you’ll love these posts too:
- S’mores Bark Recipe
- Summer Schedule for Kids
- Free Summer Activities for Kids
- How to Host a BBQ Taste Test Party
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