Frugal, Fun Summer Party Tips

People are social creatures. They like to party! But, even in good times, they can be quite an expense. Here are some creative penny-pinching tips to put on a cool summer party.

Make it potluck. A no-brainer but dependable: everyone brings a food or beverage item. Coordinate with the host who needs to make sure there's enough to go around.

Pick a theme for your party. Barbecue, country buffet, Southwestern, ethnic. This'll help your guests decide what to bring. I'm planning next year's Loch Ness Monster Birthday Party, complete with giant birthday card, taped Loch Ness monster documentaries on a TV set in the corner, a cake, and so on. (it's actually a post-Christmas party; I don't want to add another holiday party to the mix.)

Make your own decorations. The kids can help using magazine clips, crepe paper, tabletop flower, pine cone, or candy displays.Balloons are cheap and colorful and can be used to line doorways, floating around on the floor, or, if someone you knows has a balloon-inflating helium tank, you can let balloons float near the ceiling. You can tie them together for a floor-to-ceiling column or spiral.

For a fancier event, provide tabletop candles and glass flutes you can purchase at the dollar store.

Everybody can bring their own scrapbook for sharing.

Board games, cards, puzzles, and charades can provide inexpensive entertainment. This goes for kids and adults. Kids need games they can play quietly as well as games that would exhaust any adult. So provide balls, badminton equipment (we had fun with one simple rule - keep the ball in the air as long as possible), and frisbees. If you are gathering as a group at a skating rink or during a high school football game, the event itself provides the entertainment.

If you have a small apartment, try the park or at a picnic area near the city lake. If you have kids present, that will go a long way to keeping them entertained.

Plan ahead for your party. Shop eBay for party favors, gifts, crafts.

Obviously, a CD player can provide the music.

Save spare change in a jar dedicated to party expenses. This can go for a special expense, such as a birthday cake, assuming you can't make it yourself). This way you have a dedicated fund to tap for certain unavoidable expenses. This can come in handy whether you are only have one big blow-out during the Christmas holidays or are planning a series of monthly weekend summer picnics.

Avoid the cost of canned soda with Kool Aid or lemonade served in paper cups. Just make sure you have enough ice.

Keep an eye open at garage sales for paper plates and plastic tablewear. You can save a bundle and stockpile for the next party.

If you plan on regular parties, keep a storage box or plastic box as a handy place for new or recyclable party stuff you plan to use.

As Bill and Ted would say, "Party on, dude!"