Throwing a block party is a great way to bring the community together and have fun. But throwing a successful block party can be challenging, especially if you have a limited marketing budget.
A block party or neighborhood party is a great way to set a vibrant mood for all your neighbors. However, it’s easier said than done because you need to consider how you’ll promote it to make it appealing to guests.
There’s always uncertainty about whether people will show up to the party or not. Many may think their reputation is at stake, so they go the extra mile and spend thousands of dollars making arrangements. Throwing a block party doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are five ways to throw a great party for the neighborhood on a minimal budget.
Get the word out as early as possible
The first thing you need to decide is when you want to throw a block party. This is important because you’ll need to promote your event as soon as possible. Because the more time people have to plan, the more likely they are to attend.
Start by creating a Facebook event and inviting all your neighbors. If you want to be old-fashioned, you can always put up stunning party flyers around the neighborhood or even knock on doors to let people know about the party. The key is getting the word out early and often, so people don’t forget about it.
Send out invitations
Once you’ve chosen a date for the party, it’s time to start sending out invitations. You can either hand-deliver them or put them in people’s mailboxes. If you want to be extra creative, you can create a personalized video invite and post it on social media. We strongly recommend you check out these crafty party invitation templates.
The important thing is to make sure the invitations are clear and concise. Include all the essential details like the date, time, and location of the party. And don’t forget to include an RSVP to get an accurate headcount.
Use social media to get the word out
If you’re the kind of person who says “the more, the merrier,” and wouldn’t mind if people outside your neighborhood join the party, you have got to use social media to spread the word. Social media is a powerful tool that can help you reach a wider audience.
You can create a Facebook event or use an event hashtag on Instagram. Hashtags are beneficial for getting your party noticed by people who don’t follow you. Make sure your posts don’t appear dry or bland — that’s a surefire way to repel people. Instead, use these Instagram post templates to grab people’s attention. If you’re serious about creating content about your party, these templates are a great way to generate high quality content all for free. Just pick a template, customize with your details, save and download.
Another great way to use social media is to live-tweet or live-stream the event. This way, even people who can’t attend the party will feel like they’re part of the action.
Get creative with food and drinks
Food and drinks are always a big part of any party. But if you’re on a tight budget, you might be tempted to skimp on the refreshments. This is a mistake! Your guests will remember the food and drinks more than anything else. So it’s essential to make sure they’re top-notch.
One way to save money on food and drinks is to have potluck-style meals where everyone brings a dish or drink to share. This way, you won’t have to spend much money on catering. You can also get creative with your food and drinks by turning them into fun party themes. For example, you can have a “mad scientist” theme and serve green punch and dry ice cocktails.
Or you can have a “tropical paradise” theme and serve piña coladas and Hawaiian-stylePoké bowls. The possibilities are endless!
Don’t forget about entertainment
No party is complete without some form of entertainment. And the good news is that you don’t have to spend much money on entertainment. There are plenty of free or low-cost options out there.
One idea is to have a movie night where everyone brings their favorite movie snacks and watches a classic film together. Or you can have a talent show where people showcase their hidden talents. If you want to get everyone moving, you can have a dance party or a scavenger hunt. The key is to find something that will appeal to your guests.
Other than that, you can have a karaoke night, a photo booth, or even a DIY photo booth, if you think that’s likely to bring more people in.
A final piece of advice
Hosting a block party doesn’t have to be a daunting task. All you need to do is understand what would pique the interest of your neighbors? Are they into a Star Wars-themed party? Are they into the idea of karaoke? Talk to them if you haven’t already and start brainstorming.
Lastly, you should always have a plan B for everything. For example, if the speakers break down in the middle of the party, you should have a spare set of speakers to keep the party going. Similarly, if the weather takes a turn for the worse, you should have a backup indoor location.
