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Summer is known for getting together with friends and family, having a bite, and enjoying the outdoors. However, the thought of planning a summer get together can throw some into a frenzy. Thinking about the food, drinks, setting, decorations, invitations, to name a few, can all be very stressful and costly. So we wanted to make it easy for you to throw your next get together.

There are a few things you have to consider before even proceeding, which are the big five questions: who, what, where, when, why? Answering these will make it easier for you to get an understanding of the party and better idea of the mood you are aiming for. It seems kind of obvious that you would need to answer these questions, but some people don’t take the time to. That is how the guest list gets to 50 people when you were hoping for an intimate gathering.

Answering these questions also helps with decorating. Don’t be scared of theme parties, they are not just for kids. Yes, a circus party may be out of your range (unless you are thinking Cirque du soleil or if it is for a nephews birthday), but there are plenty of mature and classy themes that you could choose. An outdoor party with a beach theme can be chic, make sure to keep the pink plastic pails at home, though. Otherwise, if the weather isn’t cooperating, think of a Vegas themed party, which can combine entertainment and good company. There is almost no theme that you could not make into an adult affair, you just have to use the right food and decor.

Look at our party ideas and cheap ways to decorate!

Now that you have the theme and decorating ideas are running through your head, I am sure little dollar signs are, too. Food, drink, and decorations can get to be pricey, but we want to help you keep costs to a minimum. Decorating can actually be quite easy and inexpensive if you use your resources. Those white lights you have for winter are great to provide light and class for the summer party. If you are looking for table cloths and don’t have any and can’t seem to find any for cheap look no further than your bed. The flat sheet is very similar to a table cloth and also can add some color to your table. If you want to dress it up a little more and keep the extra fabric out of the way, scrunch the sheet up and tie it with a decorative ribbon. Now that the table is ready for decorating, the centerpieces become the source of concern.

Centerpieces are great, though they have had more than a few people pulling their hair out. A favorite of ours is to use candles and candle holders. You can use them in a variety of ways, such as with water in them, with sand in them, with trinkets in them, at different heights with candles in them, and more, which makes them great! Otherwise, taking a trip to the local craft store can also provide some cheap finds. Sand sprinkled over the table with shells can be a pretty cheap centerpiece. Another cheap idea is to make paper bag lanterns and flowers around them. Using the food as a centerpiece is a way to save room and money while still providing function. Putting candles of varying heights on a plate with fruit, flowers, shells, or rocks around them are a simple and elegant centerpiece idea. For those that are crafty, you could also create a centerpiece, such as a sandcastle using cardboard tubes.

By being resourceful and creative it is easy to save yourself money and the addition of stress lines. It is important when planning the party that you have a goal from the start, imagine your perfect party and stick to the plan. Things do come up, of course, but by knowing what you want you can hopefully avoid some of the hassles later on. Now start dreaming and thinking of all the great parties you can host this summer and get to it!

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