5 Ways to Celebrate Without Spending A Lot of Money


5 Ways to Celebrate Without Spending a Lot of MoneyOne of the most common ways to celebrate good news is by going out for a fancy dinner. We typically express our joy by ordering things like lobster tail and truffles.

But what if you’re not prepared to drop that kind of dough, no matter how exciting or joyful the occasion? What ifโ€”as was the case in my family last weekโ€”you want to celebrate without spending a lot of money?

My husband and I were determined not to let a celebration pass us by just because we’re watching our budget extra closely. We racked our brains and came up with 5 ways to make merry without impacting our bottom line.

5 Ways to Celebrate Without Spending a Lot of Money

1. Toast with cheap champagne.

While celebrations usually call for an extra nice bottle of bubbly, you can save a lot of money by going in the exact opposite direction. Half the fun is searching for the cheapest bottle in the store and then laughing about how bad (or surprisingly good!) it is.

2. Cook a nice meal at home.

I love a good four courses at a four star restaurant, but sometimes it just isn’t worth the price tag. Preparing a special dinner yourself to be savored in your dining rom, by candlelight, after the kids are in bed can be just as nice. The Kitchn has a great list of fancy meals for two, including Authentic Spaghetti Carbonara and Blackened Chicken & Creamy Angel Hair Pasta.

3. Write about it.

Celebrating is essentially about expressing your joy and excitement, right? What better way to express those feelings than by documenting them in words? Putting pen to paper and journaling your good newsโ€”either for private or public consumptionโ€”is an unexpected and inexpensive way to celebrate.

4. Host a potluck.

If you can’t imagine celebrating without your family and friends, skip the self-hosted party and opt for a potluck gathering instead. It’s a great way to spread the joy without spreading your budget too thin.

5. Announce the news on social media.

Think of a clever way to share your baby bump, job promotion, or other special news with your online network. It will give your extended family and friends the opportunity to congratulate you, and seeing their responses is in itself a form of celebration. (The key, of course, is to be creative without being arrogant. No bragging allowed!)

While good news usually calls for an extra expense, it’s completely possible to celebrate without breaking the bank.

What are your favorite ways to mark a special occasion without spending a lot of money? 

image via SplitShire


19 responses to “5 Ways to Celebrate Without Spending A Lot of Money”

  1. 1. Take a small trip to savor it, plan for changed, etc.

    2. Go on a date w/your spouse-something simple.

    3. Send a mass e-mail with the balance being gratitude/humility and the celebrating news.

    4. Go Treasure Finding aka thrift store hunting w/$20 or less.

  2. Great ideas! We have serious trouble celebrating on the cheap. With five of us, a dinner out at even a lower level chain like Chilis can cost at least $50 (usually $60 or more if we decide to have any drinks).

  3. These are great tips! I like to celebrate without spending money too. My favorite way is to cook a nice dinner and then to take pictures and write a post about it. I love the idea of cheap champagne though!

  4. This post is so timely, Katie! Today is my husband’s birthday and we always try to celebrate these special times within our budget. So tonight, as you suggest, I am preparing a nice meal at home. Thanks for these simple, practical ways to stay within our means!

  5. Yes, love this! Another one could be – go for a picnic! Make a big salad, pack up a few small plates and a rug and head out into the sunshine with your family.

  6. Love these. As I get older, I realize that it isn’t what happens during the celebration that makes it good, but the fact that you are celebrating. Don’t get caught up in the how, but enjoy the what.

  7. When my five children were young, my husband and I were pretty broke. We had intimate late evening dinners together after the kids had gone to bed. We also made each other cards or wrote sweet missives to each other. Thank you for encouraging others to think outside the box and not think that spending money equals celebrating!

  8. Katie as a man I really appreciate the wisdom of the mothers and wives and sisters that so freely and generously have offered their wisdom to me and feel privileged that I to can participate and celebrate with out spending a lot of money. After all its the journey not the destination that counts and its great to remember when we succeed. thanks Peter.

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