3 Ways to Save Money on a Party

Aside from a good theme, one the top concerns people seem to face when it comes to planning is worrying about how to save money and stick to a budget. While there are certain things that might be worth splurging on, I’ve got some simple ideas for 3 ways you can save money on your next party.

High chair with blue, silver and white banner and #1 airplane sign on front sitting on jute rug ready for a first birthday party.

White sheetcake with blue sprinkles and a blue airplane sitting on top with a hanging banner over it with clouds and airplanes. — *Post may contain affiliate links, which allow me to receive a small commission on purchases you decide to make. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.*

Buy a Grocery Store Cake

This is one of the easiest money saving hacks you can use for a party or shower. I love a grocery store cake because they’re not only super affordable, but you’re also left with a beautiful blank canvas. A plain iced cake allows you to add a level of personalization to a cake that would otherwise cost you much more.

In my opinion, the best supermarket birthday cake out there is a vanilla Whole Foods cake. It is absolutely delicious and every time we’ve served this cake at our house I always get so many questions about it.

White sheet cake and smaller smash cake covered in pink sprinkles and disco balls ready for a 70s themed party.

White smash cake on a blue cake tier with #1 cake topper that is blue with white clouds and a red airplane on it.

DIY high chair banner made of pink, blue and white strips of fabric tied to a white antique style high chair.

DIY Decorations

Another idea for a party on a budget would be to look at what decorations you can DIY.

You don’t need to be super crafty or a DIY queen to pull off some simple decorations though, don’t worry. In fact, one of the easiest things you could tackle yourself would be a balloon arch or garland. Balloon decor is super trendy right now and can be very expensive if you hire a service to do the work for you.

Luckily, there are many kits and templates available online that make putting together your own balloon garland backdrop very simple. How cute is this pastel balloon garland?!

Don’t forget to grab a balloon pump. One of my must-haves for any party girl or hostess!

DIY photo backdrop for an airplane first birthday party made of blue, white, and silver strips of paper tableclothes and white paper airplanes tied across the top.

Airplane ticket style invitation made to send out for a first birthday party.

Create and print Party invitations

Creating your own party invitations may sound a little daunting, but with the right tools and a little time, I promise you can do this!

Paper invitations can be very pricey and although there are a lot of online invites you can use, there’s something special about receiving an actual invitation in the mail. The good news is that there are many great resources to help you create birthday card (or any other occasion) invitations online for free!

My favorite online resource for creating party invitations is Canva. You can use their free version or upgrade to the paid version for even more goodies.

Invitation for first birthday party with a rodeo theme that has pink, blue and purple books, horseshoes and stars.

If you’re looking for more budget-friendly ideas, be sure to check out my exclusive party crowdsourcing community. A place where thoughts are shared, tips are given, and ideas are born – all for free!

Whether you’re looking to cut as many corners as possible or if you just want to make a couple swaps, there are plenty of easy and creative ways to throw a party on a budget. Never feel like you can’t host or have a gathering due to a small budget or lack of resources. There is always a way to make it work and make your get together special for everyone in attendance.