| Planning a retirement party [or any party for that | | | | in it. |
| matter] can be very costly. If you are thinking of | | | | 4) Make DIY party invites, decorations and game |
| hiring an organizer just because you are not sure | | | | necessities [if applicable] |
| how to do it, well, you are up for a bigger expense. | | | | When you plan to give out party invitations, you can |
| If you are really tight on the budget right now but | | | | ask a family member to search the internet for |
| need to plan for a retirement party for a family | | | | printable templates. If there's an artist in the family, |
| member or close friend, there are several things that | | | | ask him/her to help out with the invitations as well as |
| you can do to keep the costs low without leaving | | | | the decorations. Same goes if there are party games |
| out on the party necessities. | | | | that need a few items. These are just little things |
| Here are 7 essential tips that can help you plan a | | | | and when you pay for them they still accumulate |
| retirement party even with limited funds: | | | | additional cost that can hurt your overall budget. |
| 1) Set your budget and stick to it | | | | 5) Plan your menu and stick with the allocated budget |
| There are times that party planners tend to go | | | | If you have $800 and you need to cook for 50+ |
| overboard the original budget. This happens because | | | | people, you will need to plan your menu around these |
| the add-ons, requests from family, additional guests | | | | figures. A menu of 3 main courses, a dessert and |
| and many other factors just keep on coming during | | | | drinks are enough for everyone to enjoy. And there's |
| the planning up to the party itself. | | | | also the possibility that some of the guests will bring |
| For example, if you only have a $800 budget, you | | | | in wines, cakes and other edible gifts that everyone |
| need to make sure that everything you'll need for | | | | can feast on. |
| the party will be covered. But prioritize on the most | | | | Helpful tip: serve 1 pasta dish [since this is heavy and |
| important such as food and drinks for the guests. | | | | satisfying], 1 meat dish [to accompany the pasta] and |
| 2) Stick to the number of guests | | | | 1 salad or seafood dish [just to balance the meal] |
| If you plan to only have the family and closest | | | | 6) Plan the party in the evening- dinner is the best |
| friends around, stick to that plan because ultimately | | | | time |
| the more guests you'll have, the more money you'll | | | | If you plan for a lunch party, chances are, some of |
| need for the party. If you only plan to have 50 | | | | the guests will stay until late noon or early in the |
| people, stick with it and do not go overboard unless | | | | afternoon. If the party is on a weekend, then expect |
| you have an allowance of, say, 12 more people just | | | | more guests than your planned 50 heads. But if you |
| in case. | | | | time the party at night, just in time for dinner, the |
| 3) Avoid renting or paying for fees by utilizing what | | | | guests are likely to go home after a few hours of |
| you have- the people who love the retiree | | | | chitchat and wine/coffee. |
| If you have a limited budget for any party, it is not | | | | 7) Indicate on the invitations that the retirement |
| practical to hire or pay for services. You can plan and | | | | party will start and end on specific times |
| execute the tasks for the party with the help of | | | | If you plan for a dinner party, make sure that the |
| family and friends. So this is truly a family effort that | | | | time is stated on the invitations. Not that you're being |
| will need all available hands. | | | | rude, but this will help everyone relax earlier after the |
| If you are in-charge, you need to set a meeting and | | | | party. Indicating the time will also help the guests to |
| give the family members their tasks for the party. | | | | prepare for the party as well as arrange their |
| Chances are there are good cooks, creative cousins | | | | weekend schedule. |
| to decorate the venue, a cool couple to host the | | | | Planning for a retirement party is no joke especially |
| party, and so on and so forth. | | | | for the inexperienced. But with a little help from |
| These folks are likely to be more than willing to share | | | | everybody and with a wealth of information on the |
| their time and effort because it's their relative's | | | | internet, you can make a simple and low-budget |
| retirement party and they'll be playing important parts | | | | party into a fun and memorable one. |