My husband's 40th is approaching in October and I'm not sure what to do for a party for him. Our home is really too small for lots of people but maybe if I could move it out towards the pool area.... so ideal would be to have it somewhere else but then there is a money issue as I am a stay at home mom and don't have access to money of my own if you know what I mean. I even thought about doing the Pirate Ship thing out of Clearwater for something different but not sure how that would be???? Plus, it is super expensive all though it does include beer and wine.
So everone, I was hoping you could share with me parties that you have thrown or you have been to that would be fun and affordable. If I did have it at home, I would like to have some live music or DJ or something as well as a Tent to try to keep everyone outside. So along with sharing great ideas/suggestions with me if you know of any great affordable vendors that would be greatly appreciated as well.
Thanks for your help!
What about a pavilion at the city park? They are usually free or cheap, you just have to book in advance.
Throw a Luau. You can get all your party supplies online at Oriental Trading or at a local party supply store. If you have a Dollar Store near you, sometimes they carry the supplies to. You can get everything from coconut drinking cups to grass skirts. On the invitations, ask everyone to wear their best Hawiian attire. You can get a music CD with appropriate music (that would save the cost of a DJ) Nothing funnier that adults (who had a few drinks) trying to do the limbo!! Throw some other funny games in like coconut bowling. Serve food like platters of fresh fruit, burgers with optional pineapple topping, mixed drinks with umbrellas in them. You can really go all out and stay within a budget. Start planning early.
Now, you can pull it off without your husband noticing. Get your budget together now. Divide it up by the number of weeks till the party. Take that amound of money out of the pay check each week and put it aside. If you are afraid you will spend it, that start purchasing the party items now and hide them in the attic or garage.
Have fun!
We're doing 2 things for my hubby (turns 40 sunday). The first is he's getting 40 presents. I know, I know, sounds like a lot but we're cheating some - the 8 pack of Reese's (the only candy he likes) are being wrapped up individually, etc. anyway, the kids want it all in one big box so he'll be surprised. w/ creativity and some consumables (junk food I simply will not buy but he loves) I'm only spending about $120 and not cluttering up my house (the more important thing!). The 40 gifts is to get him thinking that's our big thing for being 40 because Gift # 2 is a surprise party on Monday. we're using a clubhouse of a friend - $75 to rent - there's a kitchen and I don't have to worry about weather (we had snow last week and it's only going to be 50 tomorrow!). I'm doing 5-foot subs and everything else from Costco. Plus, being on Monday really cuts down on the alcohol needed. The Monday thing was because it was the only day I could do it this month (I hate May now that my kids are in elementary school!) w/his schedule and our schedule but it will save some $$. It really is all about the fellowship - not the actual venue or the $$ spent. So - keep it simple, have fun, ask friends for help and have a good time!
For my hubbies 50th, I rented a nice room at a local rental place.....the price wasn't too bad actually, call around.....it had a basketball court, so I made sure someone brought a basketball......I made sure I contacted out of tstate relatives very early so they would hopefully be able to come..............I found a nice inexpensive caterer for the party, but you don't have to do that.............
All my husbands brothers from out of town showed up and he was shocked!! It was great and I made him a scrap-book after the party with all the pics in it, he still looks at it and smiles.....
As for food, Kentucky Fried Chicken is good, but if not, do hot dogs and hamburgers.....brats.......Go to Sam's club or somewhere like it and start hoarding the food soon..........when Hamburger is on sale......plus you can get baked beans and such a can at a time, every week you grocery shop.......same with buns, and freeze them..............if you can find a friend to help, like donate freezer space or a place to accumulate the party decor, that would be great........
I also bought disposable camera's and put them out for everyone to take pics.......that was great.......bought them when they were on sale and then got them developed a little at a time.
I also bought the cheaper soda pop that was on sale, put it in a tub of ice and that was their drinks.....nothing special......you can also buy bottled water, and Walmart has packages that you can cut and put in a bottle of water.............8 packages for 1.00, start collecting them now and then when the time comes, everyone can flavor their water to whatever you have........I did this for Christmas for my Grandkids and they loved it!!!
Good Luck and I'm sure no matter what you do, your hubby will love it just like mine did.........
Tina suggested a luau. You have a pool. If you make it an adults only you won't have to worry much about kids having to be watched in the pool.
There are a number of people that do BBQ and will come to your yard. You could do a "pig pickin' ". You don't have to worry and some one else will do the clean up. You mentioned beer and wine. Hire a life guard from the local municipal pool and you won't have to worry about adults getting hurt in the pool either. Buy a keg and put it in an tub or trashbag with ice. Put the wine in an ice chest with 4" of ice and water and let your friends help themselves. Have soda and juices for the designated drivers.
If you really want to go inexpensive, go to Sams and buy their rotisserie (sp?) chicken. They're $5 each at Sam's here. Your cost per serving can be less than $1.50 per person. Put out bread and rolls and salad makings and condiments. Sam's sells chips in bulk quantities. If you watch the sales in your area you might find items on sale cheaper than at Sam's but you have to know your prices and be willing to shop the sales. Buy beach towels or bath towels at the 99 cent store or Salvation Army or Good Will and roll then up and place then on a bench for your guests to dry off. You can always throw the wet towels in your dryer while they are at the party so they can be used over again. Crock pots can be borrowed from friends and used for hot cheese dip and keeping the chicken warm.
Good luck and good shopping. Hope you have a wonderful time.
