This post has been sponsored by Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

These budget-friendly homegating party ideas will make your next football gathering a blast!

Over the years, I’ve shared many ideas for throwing a great tailgating party at home, but never have I talked about sticking to a budget. I live in a college town, about 15 minutes away away from a major Florida university, so planning a budget-friendly homegating party is definitely important in my area. I will share ideas for menu planning, party goods, decorating, and a final tip for how to really save when planning your get-together. For real deals, I recommended heading to Dollar General to pick up a few of your party essentials, but more about that below!

Budget-Friendly Homegating Party Tip #1: Purchase Simple Food

To keep the costs down, keep the menu simple. Rather than preparing elaborate party foods, head to your grocer and grab some of your favorite prepared foods. I actually decided to go with a vegetarian menu for this spread to make it healthier and more budget-friendly, thanks to Dollar General. Here’s what I purchased:

• Three different types of cheese that I cut into cubes
• Lightly-salted peanuts
• Three different dips: spinach-artichoke dip, hummus, and mixed berry whipped cream cheese
• A variety of fresh vegetables, including broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower
• Pretzel rods and tortilla chips
• Flavored sparkling water
• Fresh fruit, like apple slices and strawberries

To keep the costs down, rather than purchasing fruit, vegetable, or cheese platters, buy the items whole, cut them yourself, and arrange them on platters. I bet your guests will appreciate this lighter menu they can enjoy while watching their favorite team score the winning touchdown!

Budget-Friendly Homegating Party Tip #2: Mix Reusable & Disposable Party Goods

To save money, I use a combination of reusable party goods and disposable goods. Here are some of my suggestions:

For reusable items, I purchase inexpensive food dishes, platters, trays, and stands. I have a variety, some of which are specific to football season {that I use each year} and some that are more generic {that I can use with any party theme}. I also have tablecloths in a variety of colors, perfect for any party. I thought this football field green was perfect for a homegating party!

For disposable items, I purchase paper plates, napkins, cups, bowls, utensils, and paper towels. Dollar General is my go-to for budget-friendly disposable party goods! I grabbed a 3-pack of Sparkle® Paper Towels. Each sheet can absorb up to six times its weight, so it’s great for wiping up spills.

Budget-Friendly Homegating Party Tip #3: Keep the Decorations Simple

Simple menu, simple decorations. That’s how I like to plan my parties! Honestly, there is no sense in going overboard with the party decor. I purchased these football-themed bottle wraps for my flavored sparkling water bottles to go with the homegating theme. I added football stickers to metal buckets, and I used a paper table runner that looked like a football theme. Along with disposable goods that went with my theme, my table decorations were complete. When it comes to sticking to a budget when planning a homegating party, keep your decorations to a minimum!

Budget-Friendly Homegating Party Tip #4: Make it a Potluck

If you really want to keep costs down this football season, watch the games at home, invite your friends over, and transform your homegating party into a homegating potluck party. Can you tell potlucks are my favorite? Set up the event in advance {a Facebook event is a great way to invite friends}, ask your friends to RSVP, and have them name an item they plan to bring to your homegating party. Then all you have to do is get your house ready for the big day! Remember to keep your basic paper goods well-stocked throughout your home for your guests, including ​Angel Soft® Toilet Paper, with the ideal balance softness and strength, for your guest bathroom.

Head to Dollar General for your homegating paper goods from Sparkle paper towels and Angel Soft toilet paper. I found both products along the outer perimeter of the store, the paper towels along the back wall and the bathroom tissue on the far left wall. You may even want to grab some disposable plates, utensils, and other party basics while you are there! Check out the Dollar General online coupons by clicking the coupon below.

What are some of your Budget-Friendly Homegating Party tips?

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