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!!!
I follow MFA on Facebook & email feed.
I am an email subscriber
My daughter’s third birthday is coming up and I would use the gift card for her party.
I follow you on facebook and subscribe to email
I also follow on email 🙂
Making decorations instead of buying them can save a lot of money over the years. For example, if you make a Happy Birthday sign and laminate it, then each year, you can use the same sign for every birthday party.
I follow you on FB, and I subscribe to your emails.
Every party here needs to be budget friendly. We just start planning super early, our menu our decorations, etc. Then we keep our eyes peeled for the best prices instead of buying them all in one week. Believe me it saves $ to be a planner!
I follow you on twitter and on facebook!
I would use the gift card for my son’s 3rd birthday. I make the food and invitations for our parties myself and I buy the decorations online where they are usually cheaper.
i would have a fairy party for my daughter’s birthday
i follow on facebook
i am an email subscriber
I would love to have a luau party! So much fun…cook the pig underground, palm trees, tiki torches, etc…
We’re on a super tight budget, but we still love to have friends over. Sometimes we have guests bring part of the meal, and make it a group effort so the cost is shared. Another way to make gatherings budget-friendly is to make a one-pot type meal, like soup or curry. Having too many dishes is expensive, and it’s cheaper to buy soup ingredients in bulk to feed several people.
Make or borrow decorations
I follow mfa on fb
I follow MFA via emails and facebook
I am a email subscriber
I always make my own party favors to save money. Also, sending out invites thru evite is a great way to save money on paper invites and stamps!
I love to make appetizers, everyone gets to eat as much or as little as they want and this way I can splurge on more drinks!
mamilita02@hotmail
I’ve thrown countless bday parties for my daughter and have never spend more than $100 per party. No small feat considering we’ve had a lot of guests at times!
1. Keep it simple.
2. Have fun making decorations yourself.
3. Don’t go overboard on food. (There’s always too much food left after a party.)
4. Make the cake yourself.
5. If you’re in a small space, put food in various places, not just on a table or kitchen counter. People always gravitate toward the food, so spreading it out will help avoid a big group of people in a tiny spot.
Kate (www.deliciousaspie.blogspot.com) [email protected]
Bonus entry here… I follow you on FB.
Kate (www.deliciousaspie.blogspot.com) [email protected]
I follow MFA on Facebook.
I would use the gift card for my daughter’s birthday coming up. I like to rent bounce houses, which is cheaper than going to bounce u or something like that and if you call around you can find a great deal for under $100 for 9 hours of bouncing fun.
I follow you on facebook.
My husband’s birthday is next week. This would be perfect.
I receive MFA emails.
I now follow Apartment Guide on FB.
I would love to have a party at the nearby horse ranch for my daughter who turns 6 in April. She would LOVE it!
I’d like to have a girls night party.
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Following Apartment Guide on Facebook. @jenhedger
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I like you on facebook.
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i would use that gift card to throw a family game night party with our neighbors
i liked apartment guide on facebook
i follow mfa on facebook as well as receive the emails
I have a super fun party idea I’ve used before. Fondue night. You make the cheese fondue and chocolate. Give each of your guests the task of bring something to dip in each course. Its cheap for you and cheap for them. It also allows everyone to get creative 🙂
I am planning my daughter’s first birthday at our home. The gift card could be a big help.
I like you on FB.
Check out your local dollar store! I found some really cute prizes for my daughters party as well as cheap napkins,plates & table cover. They actually have a package you can preorder at the Dollar Tree for $14 that comes with almost everything you’ll need!
I’m following Apartment Guide on twitter @kellythemommy
I’m a MFA fan on facebook!
When weather is bad, if you already own a Wii or an Xbox Kinect, they have great party games/party mode for all ages that are hours of entertainment, and can keep them busy.
As far as budget-friendly parties go, I’ve hosted a few really successful potluck-style Wii extravaganzas with my fellow nerdy college friends. Having a potluck helps save money on food and drinks, and everyone brings their own Wii games and equipment to contribute. When I decorate I usually hit up the Dollar Tree–they have a decent selection of your basics AND you can stock up on cheap plates and cups, etc. Great giveaway, thank you!
I would use the gift card to plan my daughter’s 2nd birthday party. I love the dollar spot at Target for finding items for the goody bag.
I also follow you on facebook.
I would love this for my son’s third birthday party, he want a Thomas the Train theme, not cheep!! I always just provide heavy snack food, fruit, cheese crackers etc for parties. Things eaily refreshed so I can enjoy the party too.
I also follow by email.
I would like to do a 4th of July party with a rented waterslide.
Shop for party supplies while they are on sale. You can always stock up on party supplies as you find a bargain-know one will know they were last years Christmas napkins you found at an awesome price!