Throwing a party, whether it’s for your own birthday or a celebration for a loved one can be expensive. You want to get everything just right but the budget can be a little tight. However, that doesn’t have to put a damper on your plans. There are tons of ideas that you can try to make the occasion extra special without breaking the bank. So if you’re looking to create wonderful memories with family and friends and have a fabulous time doing it, check out these top ways to throw the party of the year.

1. Make your own decorations

Instead of getting a party planner to kit out the venue, why not make some DIY decorations. It’s so simple to do, plus you can get other people involved to help you make them. There are plenty of resources online if you get stuck for ideas but things such as cute bunting, lanterns and fairy lights can make the space look luxurious without spending too much.

2. Hire the essentials

Try to only hire the essentials for your party. Some areas such as live bands, you’ll have to look around for, as sometimes just plugging in your iPod won't cut it. But that doesn’t have to cost a fortune either, as looking here for suitable options will give you a chance to check out costs and compare music to get the right band. You don’t have to go the whole hog when planning a party as a lot of the planning aspects and essentials, you should be able to cover with some help from family and friends.

3. Make your own food

Catering can be costly especially if you have to feed quite a few people. It can be a challenging task to cook for lots of people, but depending on your party, just providing nibbles should suffice. At most parties are more interested in having a good time to worry about dining on lots of food, so you don’t usually have to go overboard on entrees. Just stick to the basics and rope in your family to help prepare and cook the snacks as you might not have enough room in your oven for everything.

4. Hire a community venue

If you’re looking for a venue, why not opt for a community space to keep costs down. Local centers often provide discounted rates for local people and it’s a blank canvas to decorate as you wish. These spots are also generally centrally located so everyone can easily access them, and you won’t have to worry about lots of cars blocking up your neighboorhood as there’s usually plenty of parking if people are coming from out of town.

Keeping your party plans to a tight budget can be challenging especially if you’re accommodating lots of people. However, there are lots of ways to make the event really special without splashing the cash or scrimping on style. Don’t forget to check out sites such as Pinterest too, and get inspired by the variety of DIY party themes for both venue-based and outdoor parties.