Arie Ready For Romance? Ways To Save For Your Bachelor Finale Viewing Party

Bachelor fanatics, the time has come. Our beloved beau is about to propose, and we just can’t get enough of it. Which single lady will Arie choose to be his wife? Will Neil Lane show up with his envy-sparking sparklers? Who will be the next Bachelorette? Host Chris Harrison promises you won’t want to miss this bombshell of a season finale. And Chris is always Mr. Right, right?

Whether you’re Team Becca or Team Lauren B., this Bachelor finale is sure to be entertaining and dramatic. So, how will you celebrate this two-day event?

If you’ve said yes to having a party (or two), we’re here to help you have fun without fretting over the check at the end of the night. For those of you with big hearts, but a modest budget, here’s our party-time proposal you’ll say “I do” to.

Have The Foodies Chip In (By Bringing The Chips!)

Feeding a group of people can get pricey quickly. If you’re a worrywart, you second-guess yourself, buy way too much food, then eat pita and hummus for the next three weeks. If you’re a people-pleaser, you end up grabbing every kind of dietary-restriction dish known to man—sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and possibly taste-free. And if your best cooking skills are pouring a bowl of cereal, well, then you’re destined to break the bank on overpriced party platters and pizza delivery. Resist! And, at the end of the evening, be the host or hostess with the mostess money.

One creative way to save is to have guests bring an appetizer, dessert, or drink that’s synonymous with each place Arie and his lady friends visited over the course of the show. Let your sommelier sidekick bring a French wine, or your food critic shows up with a take on authentic Peruvian cuisine. Get the whole crew on board with bringing something munchable or sippable, and the burden of hosting will instantly be lighter. And don’t worry…you can still serve up some pizza. After all, we can’t forget Tuscany!

Make Your Own Roses

While watching The Bachelor is always more exciting with a crowd, serving up themed party favors can get expensive. Maybe you’re thinking about giving every guest a single red rose, but don’t want to pay for all those petals. Why not get crafty and make your own paper flowers? From cutting out roses in magazines or greeting cards to inventing a 3D version, there are plenty of online resources to help you get your craftiness on.

Here’s an easy tutorial that shows you how to make rolled paper roses with all kinds of paper—even old catalogs and newspaper:

See how easy that was? When you’re done, find a pretty twig outside and glue it on your fancy floral to make the stem. Wow, you’re practically a florist now! Yay!

Greeting partygoers with your clever creations will impress your guests without going into debt. And if they don’t accept your rose? Well, there are other fish in the sea (kidding!).

Create Some Mood Lighting

Bringing over extra folks usually means a slight fluctuation in utility costs. Some will want to turn the thermostat up, some will want to turn it way down. And you’ll likely discover that some of your friends aren’t a match-made-in-heaven when it comes to temperature compatibility. Add to that, more water running and more lamps turned on, and your bill might be a bit higher for the month. Sounds nitpicky, but we’re trying to cut as many costs as possible, right? Plus, let’s think about the environment while we’re at it. Challenge yourself to lower your electric bill by creating a twinkly, romantic-themed ambiance that fits the spirit of the show. Got some LED-powered candles sitting around? Place some around your home for some extra elegance. Are your patio lanterns not being utilized for their full sparkle potential? Make sure they’re charged, and bring them inside for the night. Got string lights left over from the holidays? Hang ‘em up!

We’ve said it before, and we’ll keep saying it: saving money is about getting creative. And getting creative is lots of fun!

For many of us, The Bachelor is a little guilty pleasure and escape from the real-life dramas we all face. So, savor some delish dishing and bubbly beverages, and enjoy this time getting together with your own sweet fan base: those you care about.

Oh, and one more tip: love each other. THAT doesn’t cost a thing.