{"id":10255,"date":"2025-05-02T12:15:04","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T12:15:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.amshieldins.com\/?p=10255"},"modified":"2025-05-04T19:08:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-04T19:08:52","slug":"money-saving-graduation-party-hacks-you-probably-overlooked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.amshieldins.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/02\/money-saving-graduation-party-hacks-you-probably-overlooked\/","title":{"rendered":"Money-Saving Graduation Party Hacks You Probably Overlooked"},"content":{"rendered":"

Throw a great party with these money-saving graduation party ideas (and guests won\u2019t even realize it\u2019s on a budget).<\/em><\/p>\n

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Did you know the average grad party averages around $985? \ud83d\ude32 The good news: with a few smart swaps, you can throw an amazing party for way less \u2013 we guesstimated saving nearly $700!<\/em><\/p>\n

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Party smart with these graduation ideas that save money and<\/span> impress!<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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1. Shop at Dollar Tree for budget-friendly decor in every color you can imagine.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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The party supplies and decor sections at Dollar Tree are packed with all the essentials, and you can even choose your grad\u2019s high school colors, their future college colors, or go with a general graduation theme.<\/p>\n

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Hip Tip:<\/strong> This cash-filled graduation gift jar<\/a>\u00a0takes all the guesswork out of grad gifting!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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2. Save money by keeping invitations low-key.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Go with more frugal options using coupons, like Walgreens<\/a>, CVS<\/a>, or Shutterfly<\/a> (your guests won\u2019t notice the difference)! Then give your graduate a stack to hand out in person, or save the design digitally for them to text out.<\/p>\n

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HIP TIP:<\/strong> Make your invitations cute and functional with these customizable photo coasters<\/a>!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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3. Who knew? Hosting elsewhere might save you serious cash!<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n

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You\u2019d think that hosting a party at home would save money, but renting a tent, tables, and\/or chairs is expensive. Host the party at a park with pavilions and picnic tables. While you\u2019ll need to call ahead to reserve, many open-air spaces are free (or super cheap).<\/p>\n

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4. Save up to $16 when you serve punch instead of soda.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Use a powdered drink mix, and pick up a punch bowl from Dollar Tree<\/a> (or this pretty dispenser<\/a> that you\u2019ll use again). Jazz up the punch with fresh cuts of citrus, or you could give this festive melon summer punch<\/a> a try\u2014it\u2019s served straight from a watermelon!<\/p>\n

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Hip Tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Serving soda anyway?<\/strong> Pour from 2-liter bottles rather than cans and you reduce waste (and a bunch of half-empty cans all over the place). Plus, soda can be purchased weeks or even months<\/em> in advance when on sale.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget the ice.<\/strong> A bundt cake ice ring is perfect for punch bowls!<\/p>\n

Keep ice chill.<\/strong> Designate a small cooler<\/a> for ice instead of an ice bucket.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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5. A basic cake + creative toppings = sweet savings.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Skip the custom-ordered cake and get the same effect for less by dressing up a plain sheet cake from the grocery store with a printed photograph<\/a>,\u00a0balloon-shaped cake pops, or these fun chocolate graduate caps<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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6. Cut food costs by buying in bulk instead of hiring a caterer.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Even small-scale buffets can cost you around $6 per head. Instead, buy in bulk at a warehouse store like Costco or Sam\u2019s Club and take advantage of easy entree recipes like BBQ slow cooker chicken<\/a> or slow cooker chicken tacos<\/a> that can be made ahead of time.<\/p>\n

For example:<\/em><\/p>\n