Planning a retirement party [or any party for that matter] can be very expensive. If you’re thinking of hiring an organizer just because you’re not sure how to go about it, well, be prepared for a bigger expense. If you’re on a tight budget right now but need to plan a retirement party for a family member or close friend, there are a number of things you can do to keep costs low while still keeping party necessities.

Here are 7 essential tips that can help you plan a retirement party even with limited funds:

1) Set your budget and stick to it

There are times when party planners tend to go over the original budget. This happens because add-ons, family requests, additional guests, and many other factors keep pouring in from planning to the party itself.

For example, if you only have a budget of $800, you need to make sure that everything you will need for the party is covered. But prioritize the most important things like food and drink for the guests.

2) Stick to the number of guests

If you plan on having only family and closest friends around, stick with that plan because ultimately, the more guests you have, the more money you’ll need for the party. If you’re only planning on having 50 people, stick with it and don’t overdo it unless you have an allotment of, say, 12 more people just in case.

3) Avoid renting or paying fees by using what you have: the people who love the retiree

If you have a limited budget for any party, it is not practical to hire or pay for the services. You can plan and execute the tasks of the party with the help of family and friends. So this is truly a family endeavor that will need all available hands.

If you are in charge, you should schedule a meeting and give family members their tasks for the party. Chances are there will be good cooks, creative cousins ​​to decorate the place, a cool couple to host the party, etc.

These people are likely to be more than willing to share their time and effort because it is their relative’s retirement party and they will play a big part in it.

4) Make party invitations, decorations and supplies needed for the game [if applicable]

When planning to hand out party invitations, you can ask a family member to search the Internet for printable templates. If there’s an artist in the family, ask them to help you with invitations and decorations. The same goes if there are party games that need some items. These are just little things and when you pay for them, they still add up to extra cost that can hurt your overall budget.

5) Plan your menu and stick to the assigned budget

If you have $800 and need to cook for more than 50 people, you’ll need to plan your menu around these figures. A menu of 3 main courses, a dessert and drinks are enough for everyone to enjoy. And there is also the possibility that some of the guests will bring wine, cakes and other edible gifts that everyone can feast on.

Helpful Tip: Serve 1 pasta dish [since this is heavy and satisfying]1 meat dish [to accompany the pasta] and 1 plate of salad or seafood [just to balance the meal]

6) Plan the party at night: dinner is the best time

If you’re planning a brunch, chances are some of your guests will stay until noon or early afternoon. If the party is on a weekend, expect more guests than the planned 50 heads. But if you schedule the party in the evening, just in time for dinner, guests are likely to go home after a few hours of chatting and wine/coffee.

7) Indicate in the invitations that the retirement party will start and end at specific times

If you’re planning a dinner party, make sure the time is listed on the invitations. Not that you’re being rude, but this will help everyone loosen up before the party. Stating the time will also help guests prepare for the party and organize their weekend schedule.

Planning a retirement party is no joke, especially for the inexperienced. But with a little help from everyone and a wealth of information on the internet, you can turn a simple, low-budget party into a fun and memorable one.