Whether it be the Super Bowl, the Oscars, the Madmen series finale or some other major TV event; there are a few key things to remember when planning your viewing party on a budget.
Keep the following five tips in mind and you’ll be able to show your guests a great time, without breaking the bank.
If there is only one thing to remember it’s this: You are hosting a VIEWING party. This is not a birthday party or a baby shower or a holiday feast … it’s a viewing party. Your guests are primarily there to watch the event, not be awed by your interior decorating skills. Re-using some old stuff or going to the dollar store for some themed paper plates and napkins should be sufficient.
Sure, some people will be more interested in socializing, snacking or drinking more than paying attention to the screen, but the television experience should remain the centerpiece of your party. As such, you need to make certain you arrange enough chairs for everyone to sit comfortably, while still being able to clearly see the TV.
Use storewide promocodes to save on metal folding chairs at stores like Target and then get attachable seat cushions separately. This will cost way less than getting a bunch of cushioned chairs and it will also take up way less space when you put them away.
Nobody comes to a viewing party expecting a three-course meal. Rather than spending a lot of time and money on cooking some fancy dish, keep it simple. As long as you have the basics like chips and salsa, cookies, crackers, cake, salad and one low-maintenance protein (maybe sausages or chicken nuggets) then you should be set. Worst comes to worst, you can always find a coupon and order some pizza.
This is important no matter what type of party you are throwing, but is especially crucial for viewing parties. If you know most of the people coming over are really passionate about the event, then you’ll want to focus even more on making the area around the TV as inviting as possible. On the other hand, if some of your guests are just casually interested in the event, you should set up a second area, maybe by the dining room table, where people can congregate and play cards or listen to music without disturbing everyne else.
Soda will be spilled. Food will be dropped. Shoe prints will be left. It’s just inevitable whenever you throw a party. Viewing parties are particularly prone to dirtiness because people tend to get overly excited during dramatic moments and are more likely to make a mess. Instead of spending a bunch of money on store-bought cleaning products, you can create your own for far cheaper … and they are just as effective. The site One Good Thing By Jillee is a great source for learning how to make your own cleaning solutions.
