I have a huge group of friends (guys and gals) and a lot of us got married in the last three years, so I've been to/planned a lot of parties. We don't do expensive - if the whole night costs more than $30, folk won't come (I love my frugal friends :)) Here's some of the stuff we've done:
- for my party, we went to an old military fort in our city, dressed up to the nines, and had a "photo shoot". It was so much fun. Then we had a BBQ at one of my friends place, played some games, and did laser tag.
- Another friend, we had a party at her place, lots of silly games, and then headed out to see one of our friend's bands play ($10 cover charge).
- Another friend, another party at a friend's parent's place, with a pool + spa. Pool party! We had a guy come with wine for a tasting, and then another friend, who does D-vice parties, did a sex-toy demonstration. This was seriously so much fun.
- another friend we rented a hotel room in the city, everyone brought wine and cheese and nibbles to share, and then we went dancing at some local clubs.
- another friend we did high tea, games on the beach, and then a nice dinner and
- another friend, we did a scavenger hunt around our small town, and then a pole dancing class in my house, followed by nibbles and girlie movies.
- another friend, another scavenger hunt, archery at a friends' farm, then drinks, games at the farmhouse.
Most of these parties we've said "we'll finish in town" later, but then we usually don't bother - having too much fun at home. We keep it cheap by using the resources we have - people in the group suggesting cool ideas they can help with, like lending houses. We have some props we recycles, and heaps of low cost games (we even have our favourite - the question game). And it doesn't hurt that many of us are home brewers, so the alcohol is cheap, too.