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How to Throw a 21st Birthday Party without Spending a Cent
Hannah turns 21 next month. I'm not sure where all those years have gone, but she is very excited and making plans to celebrate with family and friends. We are on a very tight budget at the moment, so while there is money in the celebrations budget, it's not a huge amount.
We've decided to have a 21st birthday party without spending a cent. Hannah is creative and very organised, both necessary if this party is to be a success.
Here's what we've planned:
First, we chose a theme. If you have zero dollars in your budget then you, like us, are going to have to rely first and foremost on Mother Nature. What time of year your birthday falls on, will determine what type of theme you can pursue. For example, if you have a winter birthday like Hannah, then perhaps a day trip to the snow would be fun or indoor cricket or mini golf followed by a barbecue. We are having a winter barbecue in the backyard, complete with fire pit and marshmallows on sticks to toast over the fire.
Because it’s a backyard barbecue no decorations are really needed, although we have some birthday banners and balloons in the party box that will be used to pretty up the verandah and pergola.
If your birthday falls in the summer, a day at the beach followed by a picnic dinner can warm your heart. Autumn is a great season for a game of football, in spring, the parks are free, and you can plan any event from extreme Frisbee to an evening concert for free.
As far as food is concerned, we have asked everyone to bring something to eat or drink in lieu of a gift. It will be cheaper for them and help keep the party cost free. One group is in charge of drinks and another in charge of snacks, while a third group is bringing the main dish. This way there aren't any catering expenses.
I have plenty of dishes, glassware and cutlery and a good stash of serviettes so we don't need to buy any.
The music will be CDs we have and a selection from Hannah's ipod.
And for the piece de resistance - the birthday cake, which will also be dessert - we have asked a friend who is a cake decorator by trade to decorate a slab cake we will make instead of buying a gift.
Between utilizing Mother Nature, asking friends and family to pitch in we should be able to manage a 21st birthday party Hannah and her guests won't forget without spending a cent.
And if we can do it, so can you!
We've decided to have a 21st birthday party without spending a cent. Hannah is creative and very organised, both necessary if this party is to be a success.
Here's what we've planned:
First, we chose a theme. If you have zero dollars in your budget then you, like us, are going to have to rely first and foremost on Mother Nature. What time of year your birthday falls on, will determine what type of theme you can pursue. For example, if you have a winter birthday like Hannah, then perhaps a day trip to the snow would be fun or indoor cricket or mini golf followed by a barbecue. We are having a winter barbecue in the backyard, complete with fire pit and marshmallows on sticks to toast over the fire.
Because it’s a backyard barbecue no decorations are really needed, although we have some birthday banners and balloons in the party box that will be used to pretty up the verandah and pergola.
If your birthday falls in the summer, a day at the beach followed by a picnic dinner can warm your heart. Autumn is a great season for a game of football, in spring, the parks are free, and you can plan any event from extreme Frisbee to an evening concert for free.
As far as food is concerned, we have asked everyone to bring something to eat or drink in lieu of a gift. It will be cheaper for them and help keep the party cost free. One group is in charge of drinks and another in charge of snacks, while a third group is bringing the main dish. This way there aren't any catering expenses.
I have plenty of dishes, glassware and cutlery and a good stash of serviettes so we don't need to buy any.
The music will be CDs we have and a selection from Hannah's ipod.
And for the piece de resistance - the birthday cake, which will also be dessert - we have asked a friend who is a cake decorator by trade to decorate a slab cake we will make instead of buying a gift.
Between utilizing Mother Nature, asking friends and family to pitch in we should be able to manage a 21st birthday party Hannah and her guests won't forget without spending a cent.
And if we can do it, so can you!
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