In a tough economy, savvy parents and grandparents may not be able to afford an expensive or fancy party for a teen. This can be frustrating when there are so many special birthday to celebrate, such as 13th, 15th, 16th, and 18th. How can we throw an epic and memorable party for teens without spending too much money?
With a bit of brainstorming, borrowing, simplifying, anyone can pull off a fun party on the cheap. Following are ten tips to help in party planning for a great (but inexpensive) bash.
1. Get a Free Party Location
Ask friends, a church or community resources for location ideas. What is a good central location that may be used for free? Many places offer free use of facilities. Does a friend have a house with a pool or a large room? Is there a mobile home complex with a nice community room? Also check on extras like dance floor availability, chairs, and tables.
2. Borrow Party Supplies
Put the word out for video games, a strobe light or reusable party decor. Items related to a party theme (if there is one) might be available too. Other things like large serving bowls can also be provided by friends or relatives.
3. Hunt Down Free Party Supplies
Ask friends to find out who has spare party goods and leftover party favors. It might be fun to have a kooky mix of Vampire, Snoopy, American Idol, Ladybug, and Smiley-Face napkins and pinata fillers!
If that's not your style, look for plain colors. perhaps, or visit a dollar store or Walmart. Walmart has a growing party section with very nice-looking items in trendy colors.
Another option is to have friends get together in advance to make personalized decorations (think photos, inside jokes, favorite colors) with paper, art supplies, and whatever else is fun and on hand.
For cheap decor, balloon bouquets and arches add a lot of color and atmosphere.
4. Provide Great Party Music
Get some teens together in advance to share music and fill an MP3 player or CDs with music to last the whole length of the party. Borrow a sound system if needed. Most community places and ballrooms have built-in sound systems, but good loud speakers are important.
5. Get a Free or Bargain Cake
Ask a close friend if he or she would mind providing a homemade birthday cake. A cake baked and decorated by a pal is a super special gift and a big surprise.
As another alternative, check local grocery stores and bakers to find out what time "day old" cakes are put on sale. Our family has often found a perfect cake at half price on the night before or morning of a party. Generally the in-store cake decorators are happy to personalize even a bargain cake with the birthday teen's name, age or so on.
6. Save on Party Food
No one wants to seem like a tightwad host, but sometimes the expense of feeding a crowd stops people from even beginning to plan a party.
One of the simplest ways to save on party food is the plan a shorter party between meals. A quick party between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 might be enough for some groups. Ice water, soda purchased on sale and some popcorn (and a birthday cake) will be plenty if the party is packed with lots of fun. Focus more on the activities, music, and atmosphere.
Potlucks are popular with family parties. On invitations, ask guests to please bring a dish to share, such as an entree, salad, rolls, or snacks. Another idea is to set up a salad, potato or sandwich bar where teenagers choose their own toppings or fillings. Each guest can be requested to bring a certain ingredient or two.
For potluck meals, the hosting family should have a large table (or kitchen counter) clear and ready for hot and cold dishes. Guest can also be asked to supply plates, silverware, cups or napkins (in lieu of food), or these should be set up and ready before the party. Ice and refrigerator space may also be needed.
7. Cheap or Free Entertainment for Teenagers
If a home party isn't possible, here are a lot of things to do that teens enjoy that don't involve spending any or much money. A few ideas are:
- Hanging out at a mall or shopping center
- Going to the beach, a park, or some other local nature area
- Playing outdoor sports
- Listening to music and/or dancing
- Going out for a cheap meal (with everyone paying his or her own way)
- Doing a service project together to help the community or favorite charity
- Watching funny YouTube videos online
- Try some face painting, then go shopping as a group
- Find more ideas at Best Birthday Party Ideas for Teenagers by Teens!
8. Cheap Party Themes for Teens
- A makeover party (girls bring makeup, dresses, costumes, etc and dress up crazy or glamorously
- A home movie marathon (watch all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, for instance)
- A video game marathon
- A book club party
- A classic movie or TV show party (have everyone wear black or gray and white) and watch the original Marx Brothers movies or hours of I Love Lucy or the first seasons of Gilligan's Island.
For more teen parties and themes, visit these articles:
- Fun Teen Birthday Party Ideas & Awesome Themes: Teen's Birthdays: Cool Things to Do for Teenage B-Day Parties: Teen's Birthdays: Cool Things to Do for Teenage B-Day Parties
- Sweet Teen Birthday Party Ideas & Themes: Teenage Girls Parties: Planning & Tips for Teens, Pre-Teens, Tweens
- Teen Party Activities Ideas for Co-ed Fun: Cool Games and Things to Do at Teenager Parties for Guys and Girls
With a frugal attitude and a fun-loving group of friends, you can have an inexpensive and awesome party. Keep your budget in mind while planning, and just remember to have fun and make great memories!
Janienne Jennrich - Janienne Jennrich, Topic Editor for Kids & Teen Parties and for Hair, is an award-winning freelance writer & webmaster.
