My Frugal Adventures

Simple recipes, DIY and inspiration to make everyday a little more fun

{CLOSED} Giveaway: Old Friends, New Spaces $100 Gift Card

By

This post may contain affiliate links, please see my disclosure policy.

I think most people are already familiar with Apartment Guide as a resource for finding apartment rentals across the United States.  Many of the properties they feature also have floor plans, comprehensive photographs and other information to help you find the perfect rental space.  In addition, Apartment Guide also has tips for entertaining and decorating.

And I was recently challenged by Apartment Guide to come up with fun, budget-friendly, entertaining ideas in smaller spaces.

I am actually planning a birthday party for my nephew so I decided to take on this challenge and see what I can come up with!  We initially planned a backyard BBQ but the weather has changed those plans.  Not to worry, we decided to just continue the celebration indoors!  This is my nephew’s 21st birthday so we are having a Mexican Fiesta (his favorite food) and I am hoping to pull together a fun, vibrant party to celebrate.

To make this challenge more exciting, Apartment Guide is offering a $100 gift card giveaway to one My Frugal Adventures reader!

You will get a $100 American Express gift card that can be used anywhere you like.  This giveaway will run through Wednesday at 4pm PST.

To enter is simple:

Please leave a separate comment for each entry!

REQUIRED:  Do you have any tips for hosting budget friendly parties?  If not, just let us know what type of party you’d like to have using this gift card.

BONUS ENTRY: You can either like Apartment Guide on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter (or do both if you like!)

BONUS ENTRY #2: And finally an extra bonus entry if you subscribe to MFA via email, follow on Twitter or like me on Facebook .  Be sure to leave a comment letting me know!

*Please be sure to actually leave a comment below.  Any emails, Facebook messages or tweets will not be counted.  If you are viewing this in a reader just click through to the blog to leave your comment.

Good luck!!!

Comments

  2. Cierra says

    I would say the best way to host budget friendly parties is to plan AHEAD. Stock up items that you know you’ll need while they are on sale. And, of course, use coupons.

  3. Ashley K says

    I have a birthday coming up, so I’d love to have friends over for that kind of party 🙂

  5. Keri says

    Idea for a 1st birthday….ask around for a free birthday cake. Our local “expensive” grocer (Byerlys/Lunds) gives you a free cake, no other purchase necessary. I’ve done it once, will be using them again this year for our newest addition.

  6. kadie says

    Budget friendly parties are the best parties! When I see simple easy things in magazines (like food ideas, decorations, etc) I will tear out the ad and keep them in a book and refer to the book when we have gatherings

  7. JenB says

    Potlucks are a great way to save money. It gets everyone contributing and the food is great!

  10. Allison Garfield says

    I would definitely throw a St.Patricks Day Party since that is coming up. I would probably dye lots of foods green to save money.

  11. Jennifer says

    My Best tip is to do potluck style! But if I win this giveaway, we will use it towards my mom’s 50th birthday party this Friday!

  13. Erica says

    My husband I and love to throw parties. Our secret is to just make the food ourselves. The fun is the people you invite!

  16. Amanda says

    My kids have similar birthdays so I combo the 2 some years to save on costs. They are young so theme’s are pretty easy to come up with-I like the bookworm theme that was recently in my Family Fun Mag (March issue)
    Thanks!

  17. Kristy says

    I think the best budget parties are during the summer! Food on the grill tastes great and is economical! Margaritas a a crowd pleaser for adults and lemonade is easy/cheap to make big batches of! Bonus: the kids can enjoy them outside so no spills on the rug! It’s a great season to make inexpensive side dishes and ask people to bring a dessert. Wow- makes me wish it were summer even more!! I’d love a gc to plan a new to our neighborhood summer party with! Thanks for the chance!

  27. Nichole says

    I receive MFA e-mails. My biggest tip for throwing a budget friendly party is to use your network of friends to find great deals! For example, I asked the women in my Mom’s Group for DJ recommendations and it turned out that one of the husbands did it for a hobby and did it for a fraction of the price a normal DJ would cost. I also have a friend who is in the wine industry and I got 2 cases of wine at wholesale prices. You can definitely throw a great party on a budget if you try!

  30. janice says

    If I won the 100.00 giftcard, I would use it for a party for my daughters 40th birthday.

  31. Becky says

    Love looking up ideas in magazines for parties! 100.00 could sponsor a fine soiree 🙂

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  33. Michelle says

    I think that I found the dollar store to save money (at least for some things). Helium Mylar balloons, for instance, significantly cheaper at the $1 store!

  34. Jenna Lea says

    I subscribe to your emails and will like you on Facebook. I would use the giftcard to throw my dad his 50th birthday party this summer, he is easy to please and the more family the better for us!

  35. Nicole C. says

    An easy save is shopping at Target…when their bags/wrapping paper/tissue paper/invites/thank yous are on clearance I am always picking them up

  39. Anna S says

    We had three children while living in a variety of apartment homes and were known as the “party people” while living there. Our favorite budget friendly idea was to pick a theme–Italian night, Mexican night, Soup Night and have everyone bring one item for the dinner. For Mexican night we would often do “Make your own taco salad” as the entree with guests each bringing one or two salad toppings. This way no one is responsible for the entire party tab and everyone contributes to the night. The more people you cram into an apartment with good food, music and laughter, the more enjoyable the evening!

  40. Karentina says

    My budget party tip is to have a kids party at a park. Free usually, great space for games, playground usage and bringing your own food to bbq etc is cheaper than going to a restaurant.

  42. Mariah Washington says

    I would use it to throw my sons 3rd Birthday next month! He wants to go to Chuck E Chez! LOL With all the coupons they put out it should be easy to have a lot of fun there with $100!

  45. Liv K says

    Stock up on food, like Lays Stax and Chex Mix when free or very cheap. Use coupons, always! Make desserts with the Betty Crocker cookie mix and cake mix that was free at Rite Aid awhile back. Make pasta with the Barilla that was free at Rite Aid awhile ago too…Have a potluck and have guests bring their specialty dish. 🙂

  48. Jennifer says

    My best tip? Plan ahead… if it’s an adult party, alcohol is usually the biggest expense. But there are GREAT deals on alcohol around the holidays and it NEVER expires. Kid’s party? Hit the Dollar Spot bins at Target, especially when they are on clearance for cheap goody bag stuffers. The bags themselves? Lunch bags, decorated by the birthday boy or girl. It sounds crazy but planning months in advance can save you sooo much money!