Whether you are putting together a sugar high for a kids birthday party, a ‘love is sweet’ candy bar for a wedding couple or you are entertaining a team of teens, you will want to take into consideration these budget tips for creating a sweet candy buffet. Now don’t get me wrong, we aren’t talking about eating cheap chocolate – although is there really any ‘bad’ chocolate? These budget ideas will help keep costs down, but not ruin your guests expectations of a sugary good time.
1.) Fit the container to the candy to save.
Smaller candies need smaller containers, otherwise you will be spending tons on tiny M&Ms just to fill the big glass bowl. Smaller candies like mints can go in containers like wine glasses or goblets, then place a spoon in each.
2.) Marshmallows! Marshmallows! Marshmallows!
These sweet treats are puffy and delicious – and wonderfully inexpensive. They come in all kinds of colors and people love them.
3.) Add cupcakes, cookies and other sweet treats for bigger sweets.
Candy buffets can have other sweets available on them. A tray of cookies or cupcakes will take up some of the room on the bar and be a cheaper alternative to only having candy or chocolates.
4.) Salty snacks add to the sweet tastes and save money.
Salty and sweet snacks go hand-in-hand, so you won’t hear your guests complaining if you place a bowl of chips or chocolate covered pretzels(plan works too!) on your candy buffet. Salt actually brings out the sweetness in candies, which is all the more reason to plan to have this on your candy bar.
5.) Pick your candy holders wisely.
Printed boxes for your guests to use to bring home their candy can be very expensive. Use clear or colored cello bags which can be purchased cheaply at the Dollar Store or at some Party Stores. Add curling ribbon or colored twisties in the color that matches your theme for decoration. Or, if you want them to be themed further, get the bags or boxes plain and add stickers you personalize and print up yourself.
6.) Give the candy buffet only so much space.
Set up a table just for the candy bar instead of placing it in the middle of all of the food. Understand that you need to fill just that space and it will keep you from purchasing more and more candy because you don’t think you have enough. Once your pace is filled, you can move on to something else in the party.
7.) Need containers? Use what you have, borrow and be creative.
Do you have mason jars in the back of a cabinet? A bunch of glass vases that you got flowers in from your soon to be hubby? What about some old wine glasses. Get them out. They will be perfect for your candy buffet. Take note of what you have before you go shopping for containers. Then ask around to your friends and family. They may be able to help you with containers or tongs.
Also, you can use glue and glue a glass candle stick to the bottom of a glass vase – voila! Instant container.
8.) When you purchase containers, go where the prices are the best.
You will most likely not be able to find everything you need at home, so be on the look out early. Check out discount and thrift stores. Remember different size vases will fit different size candies, so know what you will be putting on your buffet when you are shopping around for containers.
9.) Buy candy when candy is cheap.
Candy is so much cheaper right after a holiday like Halloween and Easter. If you have the opportunity to purchase your candy at these times, do so. Wrapped hard candies and lollipops do not go bad. Be sure to check out the stores at these times.
10.) Hit the sales and use coupons.
Do you check your local flyers for grocery store, dollar store, and party store sales or coupons? This is a great place to find price breaks on the more expensive candy you want to purchase for your buffet.
11.) Buy bulk candy online.
Sellers on Amazon and other online marketplaces sell bulk candy. These can save you money if you and only if you can use all that you are buying.
I hope that these money saving tips will help you get your costs down when you create your candy buffet. It will make it even sweeter if you can keep some money in your pocket.