{"id":6627,"date":"2010-07-11T07:56:49","date_gmt":"2010-07-11T14:56:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dollarstorecrafts.com\/?p=6627"},"modified":"2010-07-11T08:08:03","modified_gmt":"2010-07-11T15:08:03","slug":"fabulous-sweet-shoppe-party-and-tips-for-cheap-party-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dollarstorecrafts.com\/2010\/07\/fabulous-sweet-shoppe-party-and-tips-for-cheap-party-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"Fabulous Sweet Shoppe Party and Tips for Cheap Party Planning"},"content":{"rendered":"

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I’m in awe of those who can plan a truly fabulous party. If party-planning doesn’t come naturally to you, I’ve collected some quick tips to help you plan amazing parties (and save money doing it). But first, the inspiration for this post, Shelley’s Sweet Shoppe party over at How Does She<\/strong> – her adorable twins had the best.first.birthday.ever with this amazing sugary pink party. All photos by Kara Jo Photography<\/a>. [check out this adorable pink party at How Does She?<\/a>]<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Quick Tip: <\/strong>Make ruffled streamers<\/a> and hang them in sweet stripes as a background for your party<\/p>\n

Choose a theme… and stick to it<\/span>
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One thing I’ve noticed in the party posts we all drool over is that the planners choose a theme and do not deviate. In order to make maximum impact, every detail of the party must serve the theme. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Saving Money<\/em>:<\/strong> a theme helps you save money because it eliminates excess components that don’t fit in your theme. It gives you direction for where to spend your money, and what items to include in the party.<\/p>\n

Now, being the social\/squishy person I am, I have to remind you that the MAIN theme of any party is the person it’s being planned for. In your quest to create the perfect party, please don’t forget the guest of honor (and the rest of your guests). Make sure the experience is great for everyone by focusing on the guests, including yourself, on the day of the party. Nobody likes a partyzilla. Which brings us to my next point:<\/p>\n

See Page 2 for more –><\/a><\/p>\n

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<–Continued from Page 1<\/a><\/p>\n

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Plan, plan, plan. In advance.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

You want to enjoy the party, so be sure to do as much planning as you can. Start with the theme, make a list of every detail you want to see there, and do as much of it in the weeks and days before the party as possible. Enlist a few assistants to help you pull it off (and then let them take care of last-minute details on the day of the party).<\/p>\n

Saving Money<\/em>: <\/strong>by starting early, you can spend time shopping around, ordering online (where you can find more selection and better pricing), and deciding exactly what you want to include in the party. You will also have more time to make custom decorations and details that will cost much less but look much more personalized.<\/p>\n

To make the most of your plan, you must<\/p>\n

Make a budget<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I know, it’s no fun to think of making a budget, but it’s REALLY no fun to overspend on something as fleeting as a party. Decide in advance how much you want to spend on the party overall, then break down your expenses. How much do you want to spend on food, dessert, decorations, party favors, games, or any other category? Making a budget will help you define exactly where your priorities for this party lie. For a kids’ birthday party, you might want to splurge on the party favors and skimp on the meal; having a great party favor might be important for your wedding reception.<\/p>\n

Saving Money:<\/strong> I think the application is clear in this case! Making a budget will help you make the most of every dime by knowing how much you have to spend and sticking to it. Hey, maybe you will even come in under budget!<\/p>\n

How to save time, how to save money, on page 3 –><\/a><\/p>\n

<–Continued from Page 2<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Quick Tip:<\/strong> A candy buffet<\/a> does triple duty as decor, dessert, and party favors<\/p>\n

Making stuff = cheaper, but more time consuming<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Every component of a party costs you, either in time or money (or both). Some homemade things are worth the time and effort, and some are not. For me personally, a homemade cake is worth the several hours it takes to make and decorate. It might be a different story for you! If you are short on cash, making as much of your decor, food, and favors is a great way to save money but still have a great party.<\/p>\n

If you are short on time, spending a little more cash will help you get the look you want and alleviate some of the stress of making everything.<\/p>\n

If you are short on both time and money, choose a few strategic items and repeat them as many times as possible. Repetition is a core element of art and design; more always makes a bigger statement.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Quick Tip:<\/strong> Ribbon and labels are a cheap and pretty way to add layers of detail to your party<\/p>\n

Spending Money:<\/em> <\/strong>Shelley bought some of her party decor items from Chickabug’s Etsy shop<\/a>. This is a great sub-point: if you are going to spend money on special party items, consider going to the little guy before you go to Wal-mart. I know this blog is about shopping at the dollar store, but I am a huge fan of indie business. If you have twenty bucks to drop at Target, how much would that twenty bucks bless an independent shopkeeper?<\/p>\n

But back to repetition and strategic items<\/p>\n

See more on page 4 –><\/a><\/p>\n

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<–Continued from page 3<\/a><\/p>\n

Strategic items with big impact<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Use a lot of the inexpensive decorations to fill in the background of the more expensive decorations. And don’t skimp! You’ll get maximum visual impact if you stick with one or two colors. Some party items are classic for a reason — because they’re cheap, versatile, and festive.<\/p>\n