How to Host a Pitch-In Party | Budget Friendly Celebration

Don’t let a tight budget make you feel like a hermit this summer. Instead, make gatherings a collaborative effort between friends and family. Find out how to host a pitch-in party to save money and be social this summer.

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Collage of photos of food and confetti with text overlay: How to Host a Pitch-In Party

 

[bctt tweet=”Don’t let a tight budget make you feel like a hermit this summer. Instead, find out how to host a pitch-in party to save money and hang with family and friends!” username=”diyadulation”]

Pitch-ins, potlucks, or dish party… no matter what you call it, these are a popular party method for a reason. Our family reunion has been a pitch-in my entire life and I always looked forward to the dishes only found there.

It is also a budget-friendly way to feed a crowd without breaking the bank. That is part of why it’s so appealing. There are a few things to consider when hosting a pitch-in.

 

Salad in a red polka dot bowl and white dish full of grilled chicken and corn

Food and Drinks

It’s always a good idea to specify if you expect guests to bring their own drinks in addition to a dish to share. A lot of pitch-ins provide the drinks for guests but this can get pricey depending on your guests. For ultimate frugality, I suggest letting guests know to bring their own.

Keep the food simple. If you are providing the main dish, stick with hot dogs and hamburgers. They are cost effective and most everyone will eat them.

Don’t worry about chips and cookies either. In every group there are the ones who will stop at a store for their dishes. Chips and cookies always show up.

Supplies

Make sure you have disposable plates, forks, and cups. You don’t want to get stuck with a huge mess to clean up at the end of the night. If these are out of your budget, try having a few guests in charge of these items in lieu of a dish.

I also recommend having a Sharpie handy for labeling cups. These things always get mixed up throughout the celebration. Having guests label their cups prevents that.

 

Wood logs on fire inside of a fire pit

Entertainment

It’s not enough to invite people over and feed everyone. You need some sort of entertainment. Luckily, there are plenty of ideas that don’t break the bank.

Corn Hole

This is an easy outdoor game for people to enjoy. Have everyone with a set bring theirs so that multiple groups can play at once. Here is a great tutorial to make your own set, too!

Fire Pit

It appears to be a universal man law that if they can play with fire, they will. A small fire pit isn’t that expensive and always a great gathering place for guests.

Warning: Be sure to check your local ordinances before purchasing one. Some neighborhoods don’t allow the use of fire pits.

 

5 Pink Buckets on a Lawn with Blue Buckets in the Background

Giant Glow Pong

Want to keep the party going after dark? This giant backyard game is a blast and easy to make.

Board Games

Don’t let the outdoors fool you. Board games are as much a blast on the back deck as they are in the house. Don’t be afraid to try an outdoors game night. Get awesome ideas for games here.

 

Wooden table with scattered confetti and a confetti filled balloon with text overlay: How to Host a Pitch-In Party

There you have it! Now you know how to host a pitch-in party with all of your friends and family this summer. Take turns rotating the house that hosts it to keep it fair, especially when you all have kids. It is nice to be able to put your kids down for the night sometimes and simply enjoy socializing.

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Wooden table with scattered confetti and a confetti filled balloon with text overlay: How to Host a Pitch-In Party

 

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Red White and Blue Swirl Cake Mix Cookies

Looking for a patriotic sweet treat to serve at your celebration? These red white and blue swirl cake mix cookies are the perfect easy solution. They are soft and delicious with that fabulous USA flair!

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Collage of photos red, white, and blue cookies with text overlay: Red White and Blue Swirl Cake Mix Cookies

Everyone knows I’m a sucker for desserts. Not only have I always had a sweet tooth but desserts are so much easier to make pretty.

I mean, if my lobster came out looking like a unicorn I likely wouldn’t be able to eat it. Yuck! On the other hand, if you give me a cookie that looks like a unicorn, I’m all about it.

[bctt tweet=”Are you looking for a patriotic sweet treat to serve at your celebration this year? These red white and blue swirl cake mix cookies are the perfect easy solution. ” username=”diyadulation”]

That’s why you will always find new holiday treat recipes like these red white and blue swirl cake mix cookies on DIY Adulation. Colorful, pretty, and festive desserts are a fabulous creative outlet that you get to share with friends and family.

 

Plate of red, white, and blue cookies

Ingredients

Step 1

First, preheat your oven to 375° F.

Step 2

Next empty both boxes of cake mix into a large mixing bowl.

Step 3

Add your eggs and milk and stir until thoroughly mixed.

Note:

Step 4

Next, separate your batter into thirds in 3 mixing bowls.

 

Blue food coloring in mixing bowl of batter

Red food coloring in mixing bowl of batter

Step 5

Once your batter is separated, add blue food coloring to one bowl of batter and red to a second bowl of batter.

Tip:

 

Blue cookie batter in mixing bowl

Red cookie batter in mixing bowl

Step 6

Stir the food coloring into the batter thoroughly. Be sure to either rinse off your spoon/spatula between colors or use a separate one for each color. You don’t want to end up with purple in one of your bowls.

 

Red, white, and blue cookie batter in piping bag

Step 7

After your red and blue batter is mixed, add dollops of each of the 3 batters into a piping bag alternately.

Tip:

 

red, white, and blue dough on parchment lined cookie sheet

Step 8

Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the end off of your filled piping bag and pipe on your cookies in a swirl motion.

Step 9

Bake in the over at 375° F for 8 minutes.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and cool on the rack for 2 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Makes Roughly 84 Cookies

 

Plate of red, white, and blue cookies

Plate of red, white, and blue cookies

Aren’t these red white and blue swirl cake mix cookies fantastic? They are seriously the softest cookies you will ever taste.

 

Plate of red, white, and blue cookies with text overlay: Red White and Blue Swirl Cake Mix Cookies

If you want to make them in advance of your party you can store them in the fridge for up to a weeks and they will still be soft.

Any longer than that and I recommend freezing them. Remember to pull them out 12-24 hours in advance to ensure they defrost in time for your celebration!

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:27]

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Collage of photos red, white, and blue cookies with text overlay: Red White and Blue Swirl Cake Mix Cookies

 

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Colorful DIY Summer Pool Bags with Clip On Sunscreen

Hot summer days mean fun times at the pool with your kids. You load up your toys, sunscreen, towels, and snacks and head out. Next time you head to the pool be sure to bring along these DIY summer pool bags!

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Collage of Colorful Mesh Pool Bags with text overlay: Colorful DIY Summer Pool Bags with Clip On Sunscreen Dispenser

Picture it: you spend the day playing with the kids at the pool. You and the kids are happily exhausted as you change to go home. Then you throw the wet trunks in a plastic grocery bag, toss it in the car, and head home.

[bctt tweet=”The next time you head to the pool be sure to bring along these DIY summer pool bags!” username=”diyadulation”]

At home you unload the kids and the gear. A week later you realize you forgot that plastic bag full of wet trunks. It only takes one whiff to know that you are going to have to triple wash those babies to even begin to get that smell out.

That’s where these DIY summer pool bags come in. They are mesh for breath-ability. They also won’t block the chlorinated scent from permeating your car. That makes them less likely to be forgotten in the first place.

 

Colorful Mesh Pool Bags for Kids

DIY Summer Pool Bags Materials

 

Green Mesh Tote Bag

Step 1

First, remove any tags from your mesh tote bags. You don’t want the tag hitting the paint and messing it up later.

 

Piece of Parchment Paper on top of Mesh Bag

Step 2

Next, pull off a piece of parchment paper that is smaller than your tote bag.

 

Piece of Parchment Paper inside of Green Mesh Bag

Step 3

Now slide the sheet of parchment into your tote bag. Make sure that it is laying flat inside the bag.

 

Painted Orange Sun and the words "Pool Bag" on a Green Mesh Tote Bag

Painted Beach Ball on a Red Mesh Tote Bag

Painted Mermaid Tail on Pink Mesh Bag

Partially painted mermaid on pink mesh tote bag

Partially painted mermaid on a pink mesh tote bag

Painted Mermaid on Pink Mesh Bag

Painted Mermaid on Pink Mesh Bag

Step 4

Once your parchment paper is in place, draw your designs on the top center of your tote bag.

 

The words "Pool Bag" painted on red mesh tote bag

Pool Bag written in script on green mesh bag

Sun Block Dispenser Clipped on Pool Bag

Step 5

Next, add the words “Pool Bag” to the bottom center. I’ve written it in a few different styles to give you multiple examples.

Step 6

Set your painted tote bag somewhere flat to dry.

Note:

Step 7

After your paint is completely dried, carefully remove the parchment from inside of your tote.

Tip:

 

Mini bottle of clip-on sunscreen

Clip On Sunscreen Materials

 

Bottle of Hand Sanitizer with Clip

Step 1

First, remove any hand sanitizer from the bottle.

 

Disassembled Bottle of Hand Sanitizer

Step 2

Once your sanitizer bottle is empty, wash it out thoroughly with soap and water.

 

Disassembled Bottle of Hand Sanitizer with Labels Removed

Step 3

Use the hot water to remove the labels from your bottle.

Step 4

Next, allow your sanitizer bottle to dry completely before moving on.

 

Yellow Circle on Empty Bottle

Step 5

After your sanitizer bottle is dry, paint a sun on your bottle.

 

A painted yellow sun and the words "Sun Block" on empty bottle

Step 6

Now add “Sun Block” to your bottle. I used 2 separate lines to fit it on the bottle.

Step 7

Allow the paint to dry completely before moving on.

Step 8

Next, seal the bottle with clear acrylic sealant to keep your paint from coming off on the go.

 

Bottle of Sunscreen Next to Empty Bottle

Step 9

After the sealant has dried, fill your sanitizer bottle with sunscreen.

 

Sun Glasses on Mermaid Pool Bag

Colorful Mesh Pool Bags for Kids

All that’s left is to clip the bottle on your bag and you’re good to go! 

 

Collage of Colorful Mesh Pool Bags with text overlay: Colorful DIY Summer Pool Bags with Clip On Sunscreen Dispenser

Now you can hit the pool without those unfortunate musty swimsuits. You’ll also always have sun protection handy. There’s nothing worse than leaving the house and realizing you forgot it.

Before you go, I’d love to know what your family pool staples are! What items are a must-have in your summer pool bags? Let me know in the comments!

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Collage of Colorful Mesh Pool Bags with text overlay: Colorful DIY Summer Pool Bags with Clip On Sunscreen Dispenser

 

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