Entertaining a few dozen of your closest friends isn’t cheap. For one thing, there’s the cost of alcohol. One website looked for the price of whiskey in every state, and found that the cheapest price for a fifth of Jack Daniels whiskey was $16 in New Mexico. The most expensive liquor costs $35 in Alaska; however, everything is more expensive in Alaska and Hawaii. You can’t ply your guests with booze, either. You also must feed them, even if the food is basic appetizers, like chips and dip. Your friends might chip in and help you on occasion, especially if you host a party at your house once a month. Even then, you still must have a good list of places to shop for party supplies.
Think about Themes
Football season may seem far away. However, it’s never too soon to start planning a fantasy football draft party, which often happens sometime in late August or early September. Before inviting the guys and gals to come over and bring their fantasy football draft board, start thinking about what supplies you need for a football-themed bash. Check out your area’s party supply stores, and ask about their sports-themed merchandise. Any party store worth its weight in salt will have plasticware, party hats, and other items that adhere to the football theme. They may have specific team stuff, as well, if you want to go that route. You can go lavish, or just stick to the basics, such as plates, napkins, and a banner or two.
Don’t just investigate the big name party supply stores, either. There are some advantages to going to a national party supply store chain, but look for one or two locally-owned party supply shops to visit, as well. The selection is often just as good. Also, if something isn’t in stock, the store employees can often order the item for you, and ensure it arrives before your party begins.
Drinking Safely and Cheap
Everything we eat or drink carries a little bit of risk with it, even a bag of carrots dipped in hummus, because you might choke. Alcohol requires a special level of caution, for certain. In 2014, research showed that the drunk driving rate was at its lowest level in over a decade. However, some drivers remain more likely to drink and drive than others, as more than 1 in 5 men between the ages of 21 and 25 admitted to driving drunk when questioned by interviewers. Of course, the mere presence of alcohol alone isn’t an excuse for driving drunk, any more than the presence of fried food excuses over-eating. However, think about your friends and their habits when you buy alcohol for the party. Let them know that you’ll rather call them a cab, or have them sleep on your couch, rather than watch them stagger to to their car and get behind the wheel when wasted.
Alcohol is taxed at different rates across each state, and prices also vary depending on the overall cost of living in your area. However, that doesn’t mean every place in town has the same pricing. You can still shop around and try to find a deal at a place like Joe Canal’s liquor outlet. If you want to serve just beer and wine, that’s your prerogative as the host. It’s nice to buy some mixed drink supplies, but no one should expect you to stock your whole bar for one party.