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!!!
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I would use it to have a great birthday party for my son!
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My best advice for throwing a party is to look around first when coming up with a theme. Don’t say “I want to have a _______ themed party” if you don’t own any ______ to begin with, and would need to spend a ton of money to get whatever item for the theme.
Whenever I plan dinner with family or friends, its potluck themed because I can make whatever I already have. I look at event planning the same way
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I like to bake cookies for party favors.
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I like MFA on Facebook.
I have a stash of plastic “disposable” plates that my husband rescued from being tossed out at Thanksgiving over 5 years ago. They are sold at Costco. They are fancy looking, but you’re supposed to throw them away. We have run them through the dishwasher several times. Occasionally, one will crack, and then we toss it. Anyway, I have those plates and some colorful plastic cups that I picked up at Target for like 6 for $1.00. Then I have an extra set of sliver ware that I keep for parties. This way I don’t waste money on paper products for my parties, and it’s better for the environment. I am always intending to pick up more silverware at a garage sale. If I am doing a kids party, I will buy themed napkins. Other than that, I will create my menu based on the previous weeks sales and coupons. Chili is cheap, easy, and can be put in a crock pot before the party for a no stress way to entertain.
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I love to save money on parties! I always use the photo deals you post to make the invites. And the food is easy cause i use your matchups to get great deals! For the decor, think outside of the box. I try to use as many found objects (from my house or my mom’s) as I can and fill in with some balloons and a great centerpiece!
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Would love to have a Pinkalicious tea party for my three year old daughter. Just because it’s fun.
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I love using fabric (even old drapes) to bring color to tables/walls…Since I have it already it is “free” but even if you bough some with an intended use after the party it is a great way to make things look professional!
I get what I can from dollar tree, where things are actually only a dollar. I like a salad theme, you can make them in advance and serve them cold, they are easy and cheap 🙂
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I’m not a very good party planner. We usually just keep it small, make homemade pizza and have it at home. And, of course, follow your site to pick up deals whenever I can. Thanks for the giveaway!
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and Apartment Guide too!
Make homemade decorations, there are so many blogs out there with fun ideas for cheap. And if its a casual get together ask guests to bring a side dish or drinks. Mexican is a great idea because it’s generally cheap and a crowd pleaser.
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I have my little guys 1st birthday coming up in june and i would like to have a fun on the farm party at my parents house…I actually grew up on a farm so it will be a fitting location 🙂
The best budget idea is to stick to your budget…you don’t have to have a fancy bash to enjoy each others company
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Dollar store for cheap plates, cups, etc. Make food menu according to whatever good buys your grocery store has that week. I would love to win this as my son graduates this spring and I hope to plan a frugal open house.
I follow you via both email and facebook. Love your site and you have really helped me save, Thank you!
I would like to have a bbq to kick off the summer.
Thx
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Thx
Getting invites, paper products, and decorations at the dollar store has saved us a ton of money!
We are a huge family so we are always having parties at someone’s house. We all participate by bringing food so no one gets stuck having to supply all the food. I also shop after holidays to find the clearance deals on decorations, plates, utensils, ect. Lots of times the deals I find are versatile for many parties.
Following Apartment Guide on twitter @lmkirb
Email subscriber 🙂
I hit up the dollar store first when planning a party for balloons, plates, napkins, invites and favors!
We have the kids’ birthday parties at home. I make a pinata and the cake. I stopped buying the fancy character-themed plates and napkins years ago…it is less expensive to go with a solid color paper plates/napkins/cups, and make the cake or pinata the “theme” focal-point. Make-your-own nachos w/ cheese and chili, hot dogs, and Costco pizzas are crowd pleasers that go a long way. A veggie or fruit tray is also good. : )
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I like to have the guests bring a little something to share to keep the costs of throwing a party down.
I follow apartment guide on Twitter
I follow MFA via email, Facebook, and Twitter
I would have a PTA appreciation party, featuring mom-favorite, Coffee! I’m not sure whether I will use my Keurig, or order a Starbucks Traveler. I’ve been wanting to do something for all the volunteers at school this year. Cupcakes are the party favorite these days, so I’d definitely pick up some of those.
140 twitter party version: @myfrugaladventures Love to have cupcake and coffee party for awesome parent volunteers at school.
Buy a mish-mosh of wine, margarita, etc glasses from a thrift store. If any break, it’s not a big deal to match it back up, and no one drinks out of anyone else’s 🙂
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I make homemade invites and decorations
Can’t beat potluck for affordability
Make things at home
I would use this to have a luau birthday party for my daughter!
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