As much as we want to celebrate our birthday on the day that we were born,it is not always ideal to be the date for hosting a party.
Look at off season months,things are cheaper during these times and suppliers are most likely to listen to you negotiating prices.These months would be during autumn and winter.
shhhhhh you also don't have to worry about too many people at your party,people don't really want to go out during these times and you wont feel guilty about it.
Plan ahead:
Don't make rational decisions,make the decision to host a party in good time.
Start planning from day one,even when money is not an issue always,always plan from day one.This gives you time to revisit your plan and budget within good time and you still have time to make changes.
Make use of your own space:
Use your own home as the venue.If you have a big lounge ,take out all the furniture and decorate it according to your needs.You can also make use of your own garden or back yard,be creative.
Do NOT invite every Jack and Jill:
Invite only the people that are close to you,separate your real friends from your fake friends,we all have those.Also give you family a limit in number of people they can invite to your party,they must not forget that this is about you not them.Start with the people who never forget your birthday and don't only remember it because facebook reminded them.
Use your contacts:
The people you know are likely to give you a discount.The bakery that you buy bread from every morning could give you a discount on your birthday cake.A friend or family member could also bake your cake.I'm sure you know someone that knows someone you could make use of or get a discount from,network,network,network.
Go Green:
Send out digital invitations instead or hard copies,its cheaper and limits the carbon footprint.
Use gas for cooking not electricity.
Do It Yourself:
Make your own invitations,it will save you a lot of money than hiring a graphic designer to do it.There are computer programs like MS publisher which most people have that you can use to make digital invitations,better yet buy your own scrap book material to make your invites.
Do your own catering,if you can't cook,I'm sure your friends and family wont mind lending a helping hand.You will have to guide them of what you want and presentation is the key guests eat with their eyes first,be creative.
Make your own decor items,you don't have to buy everything,especially if you go green you can recycle things you already have.Train your younger siblings and cousins to be your ushers or waitress.You don't have to pay them if you cannot afford to,but you can make them aware of the benefits of working at your event,like using the experience on their Cv's and you can give them a good reference for it,it also makes them take it seriously and not play around.
Negotiate,Negotiate,Negotiate:
Tell your suppliers about your budget,the benefit of doing an event off season is that suppliers are most likely to consider your negotiation for price during these times.If you know a friend that is qualified or has experience in a field that is useful to your event,ask them to be part of you planning process.Remember not to just take,take take and not give back to the people that help you,show them how they can benefit from helping you and they will not hesitate to help you again in the future.
We all have that rich uncle or aunt,negotiate with them to use their house as your venue,guests want to see something different and if they are your close friends they probably know the ins and outs of your own house,but if using your own home is the only option then go for it.
and lastly,Theme your party:
Party themes may seem difficult and complicated but they actually not ,they make life much easier for you.It will help you keep focus and not let your imagination run wild and have things you don't even need.Remember if you want you event to be classy and elegant you must keep it simple but sophisticated.Party themes guide you on what to do and what exactly will go where. It will save you a lot of money as you can use things you already have.
All I can tell you is to think out of the box and be creative . Leave the usual,be unique and everyone will talk about your party for months.
Happy Eventing!
