5 Ways to Spend Less on Graduation Festivities
Graduating signifies the beginning of a new adventure. It's natural to want to celebrate, but celebrating isn't always the most budget-friendly activity. Follow these five tips to cut costs without sacrificing quality on graduation festivities.
Make Your Own Invitations
When sending out graduation invitations, it's cheapest to make your own. When I graduated, I had a friend take my pictures and designed my own invitation. The only money I spent was on getting the invites printed, and I spent less than $100. If that option sounds like too much work for you, there are plenty of resources (including Snapfish and Shutterfly) that allow you to order your invites online. Choose a simple design to save some money, and always look for a coupon code before you buy.
Make Early Reservations
If you're traveling for a graduation, make your reservations as early as possible, especially if it's a college graduation. You'll probably need a rental car, a hotel and maybe even a plane ticket. Businesses in college towns increase the costs on these purchases as graduation draws near, so you'll want to book early to avoid higher prices. Plus, booking early will help you avoid the stress of last-minute scrambling. Don't forget that hotels and flights book fast for big events like graduation.
Spend Less on the Gift
Before you purchase a gift, make sure you shop around. There are great deals on appliances and cookware during graduation season, and to ensure you're getting the best price you need to cost-compare online. Sometimes coupon codes knock the price of online purchases lower than you'd pay in your local store. Plus, online purchases are delivered right to your door (and you often can snag free shipping with a code). Another great way to save on gifts is by buying a big-ticket item with a group. If there's an expensive gift your graduate will love, it's worth the time coordinating a group purchase. Odds are, you'll spend less on a group purchase than buying a lower-quality gift on your own.
Before you opt to give the graduate cash, consider discounted gift cards. Believe me, new graduates love gift cards. You can give more than you spend by shopping for discounted gift cards at websites like Raise.com and Cardpool.com.
Plan the Party
The best way to save on the graduation party is to plan ahead. If you have family members or friends who want to help, the best option is to co-host the party at someone's home and split the cost. If each host brings a snack or drink, you won't have to worry about food expenses, and decorations won't be a big spend because you can decorate with photos of the graduate and inexpensive decorations from a dollar store.
If the majority of the guests are visiting from out-of-town, you might want to consider dining out. This will be helpful if everyone visiting has their own plans for the weekend. Meeting at a restaurant in a central location could be the most convenient option for all guests. Plus, unless otherwise stated, at a restaurant people usually expect they are responsible for their own bill, so you won't get stuck paying for the guests' food and drinks like you would hosting a party. Just don't forget to make a reservation well ahead of time.
Spend Less on the Ring
Class rings are a wonderful symbol of your accomplishments, but they definitely aren't cheap. The first question you should ask when buying a class ring is, "Will I wear this often?" If the answer is no, you should consider alternate options. You can opt to buy a different gift to symbolize your graduation. One of my friends purchased a nice watch instead of a ring, and she wears it all the time. Another option is to buy a very simple class ring. They can run upward of $1,000, but if you choose a basic option, you'll pay a fraction of the normal cost but it will have just as much meaning.
If you'll wear the ring all the time, or if you just want something fancy, shop around. Ordering your ring through the school normally isn't the cheapest option. Visit as many jewelry stores in your area as you can. That's what I did, and I found a one-of-a-kind class ring that cost me much less than I would have paid through the school, and I wear it proudly every day.
Whether you find yourself graduating or celebrating a graduate, I wish you happy festivities.
Amber Sager is the PR Girl for Offers.com. She prides herself on leading a fun, frugal lifestyle.
