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Procrastinate! And Other Tips For Doing New Year's Eve On The Cheap

Sticking with a single color scheme — like glittery gold — is one simple way to keep your guests from noticing that champagne came from the discount aisle.
iStockphoto
Sticking with a single color scheme — like glittery gold — is one simple way to keep your guests from noticing that champagne came from the discount aisle.

If one of your New Year's resolutions is to quit procrastinating so much, well, you may want to wait to get started until after your big New Year's Eve party. That's just one of the tips from Kyle Taylor, managing editor of The Penny Hoarder, for a frugal — but fruitful — end-of-year bash.

"If you still have your Christmas stuff out — and I know I do — put those decorations to good use. Any white lights you had can be strung up to make things look a little bit more lavish," Taylor tells NPR's Carrie Kahn.

"I also recommend people cut out little orbs or circles from their leftover wrapping paper. If you tape those on the wall, it can make it look really festive and look like a lot of fun."

With little maneuvers like these, Taylor notes, you could get away with not paying a thing for decorations. But don't get "cheap" confused for "cheap-looking" — there are a couple of ways to make things seem deluxe for just a few dollars.

"First of all, choose a color scheme — whether it's going to be all black or all white or golden-white," Taylor says. "It definitely makes the event look more put-together and sophisticated. And it might also help you curb your desire to buy unnecessary items that you see at the party store."

Another trick?

"Create an experience for your guests," he says. "Create maybe a photo booth or a selfie station" — and that's where the procrastination comes in handy once more. "Again, you can use that leftover wrapping paper to create a backdrop, and then just put a bunch of silly props out and let people have a good time."

Lastly, Taylor wouldn't recommend skipping the champagne — it's "the one thing I do like to spring on," he says — but he does have a few ways you can save money even in that department.

"There's lots of great champagnes that you can buy for under $10. And you can make it go even further if you mix it with a great mixer or some juice. Create a fun cocktail, and I guarantee that's the thing people will remember the most."

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