How to spend $800 for a party
July 7, 2010 1:55 PM Subscribe
I'm having a big party in San Diego this weekend. We are debating about how to spend the final $800 of the budget. Any creative ideas?
The current option on the table is a live karaoke band, ie, they play while you sing. I'm convinced we can do better. If you have any better entertainment options, activities, please let me know! If they're specific to the San Diego area, all the better. It's a fairly eclectic party, so don't be afraid to go out on a limb.
The current option on the table is a live karaoke band, ie, they play while you sing. I'm convinced we can do better. If you have any better entertainment options, activities, please let me know! If they're specific to the San Diego area, all the better. It's a fairly eclectic party, so don't be afraid to go out on a limb.
depending on the type of party:
smoke machine
fog machine
dry ice
blacklights
extra lighting of any kind
more snacks
more drinks
posted by ghostbikes at 2:44 PM on July 7, 2010
smoke machine
fog machine
dry ice
blacklights
extra lighting of any kind
more snacks
more drinks
posted by ghostbikes at 2:44 PM on July 7, 2010
ice luge
ice sculptures
hire a hype man, or someone in costume
hire a (second?) dj to add ambience/alternate music options to another party room
a keg of something really really good
i'm sure there's a desperate b-list celebrity somewhere who would take $800 to show up...
posted by ghostbikes at 2:47 PM on July 7, 2010
ice sculptures
hire a hype man, or someone in costume
hire a (second?) dj to add ambience/alternate music options to another party room
a keg of something really really good
i'm sure there's a desperate b-list celebrity somewhere who would take $800 to show up...
posted by ghostbikes at 2:47 PM on July 7, 2010
i meant to say foam machine instead of fog machine. really done now.
posted by ghostbikes at 2:49 PM on July 7, 2010
posted by ghostbikes at 2:49 PM on July 7, 2010
Best answer: I went to a wedding with a photobooth and props to dress up in. It was really fun and you leave with a momento from the party.
posted by whoaali at 2:56 PM on July 7, 2010
posted by whoaali at 2:56 PM on July 7, 2010
This is going to depend entirely on what kind of party you're after, if it's at SDSU or UCSD or wherever, etc.
My rule of thumb was always to buy much more drink than anticipated. Much more.
posted by truex at 3:35 PM on July 7, 2010
My rule of thumb was always to buy much more drink than anticipated. Much more.
posted by truex at 3:35 PM on July 7, 2010
BOUNCY CASTLE
posted by Fui Non Sum at 4:16 PM on July 7, 2010
posted by Fui Non Sum at 4:16 PM on July 7, 2010
Seconding ice luge & sculptures. Especially if you're anywhere on the east coast where people are dealing with a heat wave! (Assuming you can put them indoors of course)
posted by Raichle at 4:29 PM on July 7, 2010
posted by Raichle at 4:29 PM on July 7, 2010
A photobooth would be awesome! Or maybe create a backdrop - like a funny faux-prom one - for people to take pictures in front of. Mementos are always nice.
posted by hepta at 4:50 PM on July 7, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by hepta at 4:50 PM on July 7, 2010 [1 favorite]
How about a raffle, for cash or prizes? Depends on the kind of party you're having.
The photo booth with props, etc. is also a good idea.
posted by Simon Barclay at 5:04 PM on July 7, 2010
The photo booth with props, etc. is also a good idea.
posted by Simon Barclay at 5:04 PM on July 7, 2010
Response by poster: OK, thanks for all the advice. It looks like the train has sailed and the karaoke band has the backing of most of the people. But I marked the photo booth as the best answer because I've been to parties/weddings before that have them and they are indeed awesome. Gets a lot of people participating, and you can always make them unique based on the props/costumes you provide.
Ice sculptures are another really really good idea, that i wish we had a bit more time to pursue. I will look into seeing if anyone in SD does them on site for next years party (though my guess is that they would run far, far more expensive than you'd expect.)
posted by JoeGoblin at 9:29 PM on July 7, 2010
Ice sculptures are another really really good idea, that i wish we had a bit more time to pursue. I will look into seeing if anyone in SD does them on site for next years party (though my guess is that they would run far, far more expensive than you'd expect.)
posted by JoeGoblin at 9:29 PM on July 7, 2010
$800 buys 80 pizzas. Organize a contest to find and feed the most hungry people near your party. The winner gets a feeding-poor-people ribbon. Or, if your party is in a rich-people enclave, spend some of your money for cab fare to neighborhoods where hungry people live and spend less money on pizzas.
posted by gum at 11:02 PM on July 7, 2010
posted by gum at 11:02 PM on July 7, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by InsanePenguin at 2:14 PM on July 7, 2010