Throwing a Party on a Budget: Borrow Your Way to a Great Event

The easiest way to throw a party on a budget is to borrow the big, one-off items instead of buying or hiring them. Tables, chairs, eskies, gazebos, fairy lights, speakers, platters and lawn games can usually be borrowed from friends and family. That leaves more of your budget for food and drinks, and less stuff to store afterwards.

Whether it's a milestone birthday, a backyard barbecue, a kids' party or Christmas lunch for the extended family, hosting can get expensive fast. Much of that cost goes on things you'll only use once, and your friends probably already own most of them.

Start with a borrow list

Before you buy anything, write down everything you'll need, then sort it into three columns:

• Already own: what's in your cupboards and shed

• Can borrow: what friends and family are likely to have

• Need to buy: food, drinks and anything consumable

You'll often find the "need to buy" column is much shorter than you expected.

What can you borrow for a party?

Seating, tables and shade

• Trestle tables and folding chairs: the most common gap when hosting a crowd

• Gazebo or shade shelter: essential for Australian summer parties, and handy if rain threatens

• Outdoor beanbags or picnic rugs: a relaxed option for extra seating

Food and drink

• Eskies and portable fridges: you can never have too much cold storage

• Drink dispensers and urns: great for punch, iced tea or hot water for tea and coffee

• Large pots, roasting pans and slow cookers: for cooking in big batches

• A second barbecue or pizza oven: to keep the food coming for a crowd

• Platters, serving bowls and cake stands: these make everything look more special

• Plates, glasses and cutlery: borrowing real crockery beats buying disposables

Atmosphere

• Fairy lights and festoon lights: these instantly transform a backyard

• Bluetooth speaker: for background music

• Projector and screen: perfect for an outdoor movie night

• Decorations: bunting, lanterns and tablecloths often get reused party after party

Entertainment

• Lawn games: giant Jenga, bocce, cornhole and quoits keep all ages busy

• Board and card games: for when the evening winds down

• Costumes and props: for themed parties or a photo corner

Why borrowing beats disposable party gear

Parties can create a lot of waste: disposable plates, plastic cutlery, cheap decorations and single-use tablecloths often go straight in the bin at the end of the night. Several Australian states have also phased out many single-use plastic items.

Borrowing reusable gear means:

• Less rubbish to deal with after the party

• Better quality gear than cheap disposables

• A nicer look, since real platters and glassware feel more special

• No leftover clutter sitting in your cupboards until the next party

The only trade-off is a bit more washing up. Ask a friend to help, or return the favour next time they host.

How to keep track of borrowed party items

When you've borrowed from five different people, things can get confusing. A few habits keep it simple:

• Ask early. Tables, chairs and eskies are in high demand in December and on long weekends.

• Keep a list of who lent what. Note the owner next to each item.

• Label everything. A strip of masking tape with the owner's name stops platters and cables getting mixed up.

• Take a quick photo of items when you collect them, so you remember what came with what.

• Return everything within a few days, cleaned and with all the pieces.

• Say thank you. Leftover cake is a popular choice.

Keeping track is much easier when it's all in one place. With ThingLibrary, you can see what your friends are happy to lend, request items ahead of time and keep a clear record of what needs to go back to whom.

Party planning tips to stretch your budget further

• Make it a shared effort. A "bring a plate" or potluck party spreads the cost and adds variety.

• Host outdoors. Backyards, parks and beaches need less decoration than indoor spaces.

• Pick a daytime party. Brunch or afternoon events are often cheaper to cater than dinner.

• Keep the guest list realistic. Fewer guests mean less of everything.

• Share the leftovers. Send guests home with containers so nothing goes to waste.

Frequently asked questions

What's the cheapest way to throw a party?

Host at home or in a park, borrow the equipment you need, ask guests to bring a plate and choose a daytime time slot. Most of your spend then goes on food and drinks.

What do I need to host a backyard party?

Seating, tables, shade, cold storage for drinks, serving platters, lighting if it runs into the evening, music and something to keep guests entertained, like lawn games.

Is it better to borrow or hire party equipment?

Borrowing from friends is usually free and ideal for small to medium gatherings. Hiring suits large events, such as weddings, where you need matching items in big quantities.

How do I avoid waste at a party?

Use reusable plates, glasses and cutlery, skip single-use decorations, plan food quantities carefully and send leftovers home with guests.