How can I have a graduation party for my son without breaking the bank?

[ungerm]

I didn't know where to post this question - sorry if in the wrong area.

I was wondering if I'm fooling myself about trying to have a graduation party for my son for around $100 - $150 for aprox 75 people. I live in WV & have Martin's, Food Lion, Weis, Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid & Kmart in my area. I was thinking of a picnic style party, hot dogs, hamburger, chips, soda's, water...that sort of thing.

Do you think the sales & coupons will be able to get me in that general area? If not what do you all think I can do? My mother-in-law keeps insisting we have it at church with their celebration for the kids that attend there. We have not attended that church in years & do not feel right doing that - even if we pay for the meat as she has suggested. She keeps saying it will be cheaper for us to do it that way. I'm thinking with my new found coupon hobby I can have a nice party without breaking the bank to bad...what do you all think?

Thanks,

Michelle

[anaj06]

I think your price is doable; however it would have been more easily attained if you had been working on it for a couple of months now. You will have to bust your butt to make it happen so quickly. Sales cycles are every 2-3 months, so some of the sales/coupons you need may not hit between now and graduation.

Buy your sodas this week....CVS is having a great deal...check the CVS forum.
Chips are free at HT this week if you have the right coupons.
You will just have to trade for multiple of the coupons you need once you search the database and figure out which ones you need.

HTH...just some quick thoughts.

[snafu4me]

be sure to check for MIR's good in your state on those items you will be purchasing

[Ggbwg]

Check w/ your deli's to see when they mark meat down. My deli marks down shaved deli meat after 7pm 1/2 price. I bought 1lb of shaved turkey meat for $.94 and then there were $2 off Sara Lee bread wyb 1lb of Sara lee Meat. So i got a loaf of bread and my 1lb meat for $.94 This was at my HyVee.

[justusgals]

cvs has had pringles and nuts on clearance and i just found peanuts and chex mix on clearance at walgreens. i think a hundred is workable, especially with coupons

[chriscree]

I also think that time of day will help save you money...if you have your party between common meal times you can just serve snacks or have it start later in the evening then it can just be snacks and drinks...Just a thought.

[JrandMdB]

I am having a grad party as well for my son and decided to have a pitch in picnic style gathering since most attending are immediate family.. if you dont mind asking family to bring a small covered dish then it will cut your costs too.

I am paying for decor (which is going to be limited to some balloons and a few streamers, may cost me 25.00)
Cake.. (half a sheet from Walmart is 24.97)
Chicken (getting 50 pieces about 35.00)
Sodas and ice (mostly 2 liters because I can pick those up for $1 or less)

I am sending the invites this week and asking family to bring a small covered dish.. and they wont mind because its a picnic style and its almost all family... GL and HTH!

[ungerm]

anaj06 - your right I should have been doing this already - I'm a big time procrastinator if you couldn't already tell. I was thinking about the CVS deal…I’ve got several ECB’s that expire today so I guess I’ll be heading over there when I get off work. I also may have enough points on mycokerewards to get a coupon or two. (crossing my fingers)

Snafu4me – thanks for the heads up I will be on the look out - I just got started in the rebates so I've been keeping my eyes peeled for them.

Ggbwg – I don’t have a Hyvee store but I would think all stores would mark the stuff down…I never even thought about that.

Justasgals – I’ve got some RR that are about to expire that I may be able to use on these. I usually run in & get just what I’m looking for & get out so I don’t spend an arm & a leg so I don’t look at the clearance stuff too much. I guess I’m missing out on stuff.

Chriscree – You’ve got a point with the time of the party. My husband never knows if he has to work on Saturdays until the Thursday before so I’d have to have it after 3 PM in order for him to be there…just incase he has to work. Do you all think a 4 PM party would need to include a meal? I’m thinking that is really close to mealtime so I was thinking I would have to.

JrandMdB – I think we are thinking a lot alike. I was thinking of asking but wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to ask. Ours will also be mostly family & they usually bring stuff to other events (except for Birthday parties) so that’s why I wasn’t sure. Do you think the chicken is cheaper to do than the hot dogs and hamburgers…or is it just easier so no one is slaving over the BBQ? *This is my first child to graduate & I’m already an emotional mess…how are you handling it? I was just driving to work this morning thinking about making up a picture collage & writing up a little poem & was crying all the way to work thinking about how much he has grown up. Then my youngest will be graduating kindergarten this year also – So, I have 12 years for him but I do have another one that graduates next year so I’ll be sure to plan that one more in advance.:hectic1::hectic1::hectic1:

Thank you all for your advice...I'll be sure to rep you all - I welcome any additional advise that can be offered.

Edited to add: I have 15 Q for Purlife water 24 pks & Walmart has it for 3.96 (I think if not 3.69) - I'm thinking that is a great deal isn't it? Or could I find it cheaper?

[nurseannette]

I think a small covered dish is a great idea. Also on the invites you could
say what will be provided and ask that a dessert, side veggie or salad be brought.
These are people who love your son and want to help him celebrate, they
won't mind bringing a little something

[chriscree]

It really depends on how long you have your party...Here in Texas most families don't eat dinner till 6 or 7 so if your pary only lasted 2 hrs that would work but I doubt you only want a 2 hr party. but if you started the party at 7 and it went till 10 you could do snacks and cake n ice cream.

I like the idea of a potluck bring a dish party i do these all the time for family.
Does he have any close friends that are graduating with him? you could combine the parties and split the cost...