Melissa Newell from My Party Passion, and our budget party contributor, is back with some easy tips on how to save money while throwing a terrific fall party! Take it away Melissa…

It’s fall! Oh how I love fall… the crisp air, the warm bonfires, the jeans and sweaters! I think fall might be the EASIEST season to style a party on a budget! There are so many outside elements that can be used for hosting the perfect fall gathering and most cost pennies!

TIP 1

Easy Fall Centerpiece: Clip a few branches from a crab apple tree to use in your centerpiece or use a different leave you have in your yard.

Displaying them into a tin can with a cute burlap scrap bow on it is a perfect centerpiece for your fall or harvest gathering.  Cost is pennies!  (Cute Harvest printable was from Living Locurto last year.)

Bonus Tip: Another easy tip using your empty soup cans – cover them with a scrap piece of seasonal themed paper and use for a utensil holder!

TIP 2

Easy Elegant Harvest Wreath: Wreaths are a MUST for fall and winter. But changing them with each season, holiday, or event, can be expensive!  Looking for an inexpensive harvest wreath than can take you from late September until early December.  This wreath I made would be PERFECT for your displaying!  I used a Styrofoam wreath, some moss (hot glued to the wreath) and a pumpkin pick tied with a burlap scrap bow. The cost was $3 and you can use it for months (and years to come).

Bonus Tip:  I spray the wreath with hairspray before wrapping in tissue paper before storing it away – helps keep it together!

Tip 3

Keeping the Food Simple!  Add a fun Pumpkin Cupcake to your party – ­ made from 1 box of yellow cake mix and 1 can of pumpkin – mix and bake! That gets no easier or cheaper!  EASY PEESEY!  Top with your favorite cream cheese frosting – you have a wonderful (low cal) dessert for all to enjoy!

TIP 4

Decorate With Candy and Candles: We can all find a bag of candy corn at a dollar store or drug store (as long as you don’t eat it first) you can made a cute decoration for the table!

Add in a scented candle – very colorful and cute party décor!

TIP 5

Easy Seating: Throw a few hay bales down, old apple buckets turned over – or even some stumped logs – and you have the perfect fall themed seating for your guests!

I am looking forward to the fall and hope you are inspired to throw a fall or harvest gathering for your friends and family!   Until next month… Party on friends!

Thank you, Melissa, for your creative tips and ideas.  You continue to show that you don’t have to spend a lot to throw a great party! To learn more about Melissa, visit her at My Party Passion and find her on Facebook or Twitter.