“Balloons, invitations, goody bags, paper plates, and noisemakers cost just a few bucks, which is significantly less than the wares sold at party-supply stores,” Kerry Taylor says. By her calculations, you can shave 80% off the cost of making your party setting feel festive.
Jim Wang, founder and editor of Bargaineering.com, also takes the view that “it’s just paper.” Party supplies and gift wrap will be used once and then chucked, so you don’t need to spend extra money on something more durable.