Throw an outdoor party on a budgetwithout anyone knowing!
Double Duty
To save money on your backyard bash, don’t let anything go to waste.
ThisDIY centerpieceuses your leftover watermelon rind to make a big statement.
Credit: Annie Schlechter
Decorate with Flowers
Skip the expensive florist and opt for locally-grown blooms instead.
toppings like sprinkles, chocolate chips, and candy so everyone can make their own sundae.
Pre-scoop the ice cream into jars and leave them in the freezer until party time.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Self-Serve Sangria
Every party needs a drink station, but fancy cocktails can get expensive fast.
Instead, put together a self-serve station of homemade sangriamade with inexpensive wine and in-season fruits.
Paper Pom Decorations
Create an elaborate outdoor party decoration for just a couple of dollars.
Credit: Adam Albright
Make your ownDIY tissue paper pomsand hang them with clear fishing line.
Match them to your color scheme and vary the sizethey’re sure to be a conversation starter!
Our easy instructions and free pattern makes it so easy to put these together.
Decorate with Garden Flowers
When it comes to outdoor party decorations, nothing is better than free!
If you growseasonal summer flowersin your yard, use them to decorate your outdoor gathering.
you could even give the freshly-cut blooms as party favors to guests as they leave the party.
Credit: Rebekah Photography
Make Nostalgic Treats
Every outdoor summer gathering needs a cold treat!
MakeDIY nostalgic treatsby sandwiching ice cream between a batch of our favorite chocolate chip cookies.
Keep the treats in the freezer until you’re ready to serve dessert.
Credit: Greg Scheidemann
Add Wine Labels
Sip on the cheap!
Disguise an inexpensive bottle of wine with our personalized wine wrap.
This backyard party idea also helps the wine fit in with the color scheme.
Credit: Annie Schlechter
DIY Paper Fans
Accordion-folded fans keep you cool and make colorful decorations.
Stick them in a box filled with sand for a DIY party centerpiece.
Colorful Candleholders
Give jars a bright makeover with a quick coat of transparent paint.
Credit: Chelsea Foy of Lovely Indeed
Mix and match shades for easy (and inexpensive!)
We love a combo of crisp white and blue.
Make it up to six hours before party time and chill until ready to serve.
Credit: Blaine Moats
Dip-Dye Napkins
Use our easy-peasy dip-dye technique to jazz up basic cloth napkins.
The same technique works to create a cotton table runner or place mats.
To make the napkins:
2.
Credit: Annie Schlechter
Dip a folded white cotton napkin into the weakest dye solution, leaving the top section undyed.
Leave in solution about 15-30 seconds.
Squeeze to drain excess dye.
Credit: Greg Scheidemann
Continue by dipping napkin at a lesser depth in each of the heavier solutions to achieve an ombre effect.
Credit: Adam Albright
Credit: Matt Armendariz
Credit: Matt Armendariz
Credit: James Carriere
Credit: Greg Scheidemann
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: David Tsay
Credit: Andy Lyons
Credit: Greg Scheidemann
