It is more important than ever to watch every dime. This can make it extremely difficult when you enjoy entertaining, but it doesn't mean that you have to stop having people over. It just means that you have to become more creative and find good inexpensive ways to entertain for less.
If you're trying to save on costs, try creating and printing your own invitations. You can be as creative and wild as you want to be with them, because only your friends will see them. Kinko's will print them cheaply for you if your printer isn't up to par. No matter how you proceed with your homemade invitations, your guests are sure to appreciate the personal touch.
Decorations for a party can be a cost that doesn't need to be incurred. There are lots of household items that can be used. Just look around. A colored light bulb can change the mood of a room. Ferns from the back yard can be used in a vase or as a base on a cheese tray. Or you could let your guests be the decorations. Dim the lights and throw a murder mystery party, letting the guests dress up as their favorite character.
Of course the food is one of the most expensive costs incurred in throwing a party. You must have some food, but there are ways to reduce the cost. If you host your party later in the evening, then guests will have almost certainly already had dinner. That will allow you to only offer desserts or small snacks. Dinner parties can be presented as events where everyone participates and brings a dish. An additional upside of this scenario is that all of the dirty dishes get to go home and you don't have to wash them.
Just because the economy is struggling doesn't mean that you have to give up on the idea of having a party. Plan it well, keep it simple, and check out all the great information available on the web. You can not only plan a great party, but you can plan it for less $$$ than ever before. Give it a try, you will be glad you did.
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