Party invitations, decorations, entertainment, and food are all
essential to a traditional Independence Day celebration. While visions
of stationery stores, caterers, and a band come to mind, the sound
ka-ching resonates through them all. Fortunately you can have a great
time with friends and family while spending much less than you imagine.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Invitations
1. Record yourself and maybe a friend or
two, singing an off-key made-up tune inviting your friends. If you
aren’t opera star material, and you don’t mind
laughing at yourself, this will make the invitation all the more fun.
Send these audio clips out in emails, sort of a singing telegram in
cyberspace.
2. Use your color printer to print the
invitation, roll it up with the print side out, and slide it into a
clear water bottle. Size the paper so it will release and become
readable one it’s inside. Tighten down the lid, fix a stick
label to the bottle and send it through the mail. Make a sample and
take it to the post office so you can get the proper postage for these
and mail one to yourself so you can see how long it will take to
arrive.
3. Video yourself with a webcam and post
the clip to YouTube with a private setting. Send your friends the
YouTube link or Embed the video into a web page invitation if you are
computer savvy.
Decorations:
1. Dig through your Christmas and
Valentine’s Day decorations for generic red or white items.
Add some blue items from the thrift store or dollar store and
you’re there.
2. Check the Dollar Tree. They have
seasonal decorations at amazing prices.
3. Check thrift stores for vases and
other items that you can spray with a $1 can of paint. For example,
spray the item white and stick on stars in red and blue.
Entertainment:
1. A boom box and a stack of your
favorite CDs. Or borrow some CDs from a friend who is a connoisseur.
2. Give a student experience at playing
for a live audience. At 15-25, whether the first chair at a recital or
a master’s student, students need places to play and the fee
would be minimal compared to a professional.
3. Barter with a friend who plays. If
she’ll play for your party and you’ll help set up
for hers.
Food
1. Spend time creating a beautiful table
arrangement with items you have or from the list above, then keep the
food simple: veggie trays, cheese and crackers, chips and dip.
2. Ask key people to bring their best
dish. “I love your cheesecake, Aunt Jo. Would you mind
bringing one to the party?” Just 2-3 of these contributions
can make all the difference. And Aunt Jo will be flattered, too.
3. Eliminate alcohol, lightly spike the punch, or make the event BYOB.
4. Watch coupons and sales. Combine the 2 and catch great deals. Begin in April and save those jars of dip and cans of nuts for your party.
With a little imagination you can host a party and hardly feel it in
your pocketbook. After all, the fun comes from the jokes, the laughs,
the fun. And those are all free.
For more than 40 pages of ideas, check out Summer Party Ideas and Plans Collection.
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