Last week, we got some bad news from a friend of ours: she just got laid off at her job after seven years of hard work at the same company. Needless to say, many of us are worried about our jobs and anxious about the current economic crisis. However, here's a bit of advice from the fine folks at Plum Party: "When life gives you a stack of worthless stock certificates, make party hats!" Since this month is all about entertaining, why not throw a Financial Crisis party to chase the broke blues away (albeit temporarily)? Take a look at some of our budget entertaining tips and our favorite party favors from Plum Party (20% off sale!) after the jump...
How To...Throw a Financial Crisis Party
• Keep it Simple. Whenever we're in the initial stages of planning a party, we tend to go overboard with ideas for the menu and decorations. However, we've found that it's always best to stick with what you know how to cook and to limit the decorations to a minimum. (We'd say that for a Financial Crisis party, the menu could be all comfort food...)
These Good Fortune plastic cups are reusable, shatterproof, dishwasher safe, and come in a set of 10. Price: $18
• Hit Up the 99 Cent Store For Decoration Ideas. The 99 Cent Store is actually a great resource for decoration ideas and party favors on a budget. If you're looking for generic ornaments to pile in a glass bowl or cheap unscented candles, this is the place to go.
If "What's Your Sign?" was the pickup line of our parents' generation, perhaps this could be our generation's pickup line: "What's your poison?" These pharmaceutical tent cards can be used as place cards for dinner guests--and quite good at breaking the ice. Pack of 8, $15.
• Budget Your Time. While prepared foods is a great option if you're pinched for time, budgeting your time and preparing foods early can help your wallet. Some sides like salads and pasta dishes as well as desserts can be made ahead of time or at the very least, prepped.
These chocolate bars labeled as "Emergency Chocolate" are a bit on the pricey end ($5 a pop?!), so we suggest buying king-size Hershey bars in bulk and just re-wrapping them in pretty paper. If you're especially crafty and design-savvy, you could design your own Emergency chocolate label, print them out, and wrap that around the bars. This could be a party favor, a place card idea, or just a funny gift to send to a friend.
• BYOB? When it comes to alcohol, we stick to the bulk-buying. Costco is a great place to stock up on wine and beer without pummeling the wallet. If you're hosting a group of close friends to mourn the end of employment, the BYOB route is always an excellent plan as it ensures that everyone has what they want to drink, and it's not all on you and your dwindling bank account.
For more party favor themes and ideas, check out Plum Party's Financial Crisis theme here.
Got your own tips on throwing a party on a budget? Share it with us in the comments...
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You want to have a party, have a party. Theme parties are usually unsuccessful, and this seems to be a peculiar idea for a theme. Thanksgiving is in two weeks, and if you can read this post, you've got something to be thankful for.
Count your blessings, share what you've got, and stop the stupid ideas.
view Palmetto's profile
Have a pity party! Those are kind of cheap. Good booze and mixers, serve ice cream, mac and cheese, some pigs in the blanket or mini eggrolls, and make everyone show up in their pajamas or wearing a bathrobe. Keep the tv on the whole time, and if you have tivo, record some soap operas and Jerry Springer and The Price is Right.
I hate to see plans to spend even a trivial amount of money on tacky but amusing accessories. In the face of the theme of the party, it's kind of a jerkwad move. If you just like some of these things and you didn't lose your job yet, get them, but don't buy things like this just for a party. It's insensitive!
view K T G's profile
Sorry to hear about your friend losing her job, Grace; I hope she finds a new (and better!) one quickly.
view lizzapearl's profile
I always throw a Festivus party around American Thanksgiving. It started because I wanted to cook a turkey and couldn't phathom eating one by myself, so I invited 17 people to my tiny apartment and we feasted on holiday delights!
Two years ago my boyfriend and I were pretty broke when it came time for Festivus (I was in school, he was unemployed), so we invited some close friends over and we all pitched in to make a delicious Spaghetti and Meatball supper!
Last year we didn't end up throwing a party since we had just moved into our house and didn't have any furniture (though, thinking back, it would have been fun!).
This year we are going to throw a pot luck and we'll supply the Prime Rib roast.
Yum Yum!
I've never thrown a 'theme' party. The best party I've thrown was just a big group of friends hanging around, eating delicious homemade food, and playing Trivial Pursuit.
view revolution9's profile
This reminds me of an article I read in the Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/26/dining/26ninety.html?scp=13&sq=%22dollar%20store%22%20meal&st=cse) in which the author attempted to hold a dinner party with all ingredients bought at a dollar store- the perfect theme for hard times! But then again, it sure does help to be proximal to Jack's near Herald Square- the Macy's of dollar stores.
view hejiranyc's profile
Beat the recession by buying useless crap!
And it's real green too when everyone throws it all away the next day!
view Headzo's profile
I just threw a "Great Depression" party- people came dressed either as hollywood stars or hobos. We drank beer and ate "green goddess" dip with crudites, listened to 30s swing. It was great fun.
view Miriam's profile
Throwing a big theme party when you've lost your job/house is a real smart idea: Let's rack up the credit cards some more buying party crap from China instead of buying food, paybg rent or moving the family someplace where there are more/better opportunities.
view bepsf's profile
I found the Emergency Chocolate at Safeway today for $3.50 and I know Cost Plus carries it for less than $5. The girl there said it was good. *Shrug* I got some of their "Christmas Emergency" chocolate for my mom. She's always pretty stressed around the holidays.
view Tiamat_the_Red's profile
I love theme parties, and this is such a good idea! I also like the great depression party idea.
But I don't ever do party favors. My shindigs tend to be more casual than that. Also, I don't think it would ever be a good idea to throw a party after you lose your job. Or for someone who lost their job.
I really like those cups
view idiotdogbrain's profile
Funny, I've always found that theme parties are the most successful... my friends, at least, tend to go all out and really get into it, which makes a great time for everyone. Palmetto and bepsf-- some people like being cheered up when times are tough. Personally I prefer to try to see the humor and enjoy the love and support of my friends even when things aren't going well for me, rather than stay home alone and cry (which would probably be the sensible thing to do). Admittedly most of the items in this post are junk, but I like the idea!
view marie516's profile