How to Provide the Best Party Entertainment on a Budget
If you are on a budget, a lot of aspects of party planning can take a hit. You will constantly spend your time stressing about not planning the perfect party. What would they think of the party? Does the decoration look cheap? Are the food and drink going to be loved? Will they think that you were cutting-costs over anything?
All these questions are natural to flood your mind when you have a budget because you know some of those busybodies are going to have something to say. Especially if you are throwing a party for your family. Every uncle and aunt who did nothing to help will have the most to say. It’s not like you can get out of inviting them either because they are family. (shrug)
Decor can be ignored if you just break out your fancy plates and showpieces that you keep locked in the cupboard. Food can be prepared at home and will be loved. The same is for the drinks. The best is to go for a theme because that gives you a perfect excuse to use second-hand, cheap, and homemade items to use as decor.
Having a theme cuts down on the planning time because then you don’t have to see if everything goes together after selecting everything individually. With a theme, you will be selecting the aspect so that it ties in overall.
Now comes entertainment. Entertaining people can be a bit difficult, especially if you have people from all the age ranges present. There aren’t many things that everyone is going to enjoy. There are two main aspects of keeping the party happening throughout.
Music:
Not everyone can afford a band or a professional DJ every time you throw a party, definitely not when you are on a budget. The good news is that everyone nowadays has a phone and you can use it to create a perfect ambiance without spending much.
Music is important to keep the conversation flowing. It helps cover up any awkward conversational gaps and allows people to mingle or just be on their own enjoying the music. It helps add to the charm and makes the time blend together.
Apps like Spotify and Apple Music can help you create your own playlist for the party. You can choose the music based on your theme and your guests. Then all you have to do is connect your phone or computer to your speaker and turn on the playlist. It also gives you the flexibility to change songs depending on the mood.
If you don’t have a speaker then you can easily borrow one from someone. Rent a speaker for the day is also a pocket-friendly option.
Games
Games can be tricker than music. Music in the background can be ignored by people who want to, and enjoyed by people who choose to. With games that is not the scene because everyone is actively involved either playing or watching.
Depending on the crowd, make a list of simple games that are classic and are not controversial. A game of musical chair or charades isn’t going to offend anyone but if you whip out beer pong or holiday twister then chances are that your uncles and aunts with toddlers are going to take offense.
You can have some games that everyone can enjoy together and then plan different activities for children and adults to be done on their own accord. This way everyone gets something they can enjoy.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to spend tons of money on entertainment. The key to providing the best entertainment at any party is not money, it is knowing your guests. The crowd is what should dictate the entertainment plan. You can have the best band that money can hire, but if the crowd isn’t into it then it is going to flop. So, just keep your target audience in mind, and be creative.
