Easy and budget friendly party tips
If you’re hosting a house or garden party it’s important to ensure your guests have a great time. Once you’ve factored in decorations, food and drink, the costs can soon add up, but celebrations don’t have to be costly! With a bit of planning, you can host a night to remember, and your bank balance and bin will be celebrating too.
Here are some top tips to get your party started:
Before
- Decorations – use fabric bunting and rechargeable fairy lights to jazz up a room or outdoor space. Sequins and glitter may be fun BUT they are not recyclable (and are difficult to clean up) so best avoided. Lights not working? Take them to your nearest Repair Cafe to be fixed!
- Ask friends and family to lend you chairs, tables, crockery, cutlery and glassware if you don’t have enough, or search your local Library of Things or Share Shed. Alternatively, check out second hand items from charity shops, Freegle or your local Household Waste Recycling Centre
- Prepare your fridge – clear space for your party food by using up leftovers (recipe ideas here) and freeze anything you won’t eat in time. Not sure what’s freezable? You may be surprised – find out more here!
- Food – buy local, seasonal and in bulk to reduce packaging. Sharing platters of finger food such as cheese, meat, bread, pizza slices etc is ideal as people can take only what they will eat, and any leftovers can be left in the fridge or freezer for another meal. It’s tempting to over cater as we fear the food will run out, so check guest numbers and calculate how much food you’ll need.
- Napkins – opt for cloth napkins that can be washed and reused. You can even make your own from fabric scraps – no sewing required!
- Ask guests to bring reusable boxes to take home any leftover food
On the day/night
Set up separate bins in at least one location with easy to read labels so your guests know what goes where – one for recycling, food waste (if you have a food waste collection), cloth napkins for washing, black bin waste etc.
Encourage guests to take home leftover food
Have fun!
Even a few of these swaps will help reduce waste and save money, giving you even more reasons to celebrate with your guests!
Want to know more about reducing food waste? Visit our Love Food Hate Waste page.
