Planning a Big Party? 5 Ways Costco Can Help

Now that warmer weather has arrived, you may be more inclined to host more gatherings at your home. This especially holds true if you have a larger outdoor space that can accommodate many guests.

But throwing a party can be an expensive prospect -- especially if you're planning a larger one. These days, inflation has made just about everything cost more. So if you're looking to have a party without dipping into your savings account, you may want to make at least some of your purchases at Costco. Here are a few ways Costco can help you pull off a bigger gathering.

1. You can load up on plates in bulk

Paper plates may not be the most eco-friendly. But if you're feeding a crowd, they might make the most sense. Costco offers bulk plates in a variety of sizes, including a 165-count of Chinet 10 3/8-inch plates for $26.99 (though do note that prices can vary by region, and also, based on whether you're buying your items online or at a store).

2. You can purchase assorted cutlery in bulk

Just as you probably don't want to be washing dishes for several dozen guests, so too might you need to revert to plastic cutlery when you're throwing a bigger party. Costco sells a 360-count pack of forks, spoons, and knives for $18.99. That might easily suffice for your next shindig.

3. You can save on chips and snacks

Snacks are a staple item at parties. Your local Costco is apt to have large-sized bags of potato chips, pretzels, and tortilla chips, so it pays to browse that aisle and see what's available. If you'd rather let your guests enjoy their own individual bags of chips (which may be a good option if you're hosting a kids' party), you can buy a 54-pack of Frito-Lay chips for $23.99 that includes favorites like Cheetos and Doritos.

4. You can buy beverages at a reasonable price point

You may want to offer a variety of drinks at your next gathering. And Costco's got you covered there. You can buy a 24-count of LaCroix Sparkling Water in lime flavor for $12.69. Or, serve up some nice, chilled lemonade. A two-pack of Kirkland Signature Organic Lemonade is $7.99 for a pair of 96-ounce bottles.

5. You can make clean-up a snap

After you've fed your guests, had your fun, and are ready to call it a day, you'll need to do one more thing -- get your space clean and tidy. And for that, you'll need a way to gather your trash. You can buy a 200-count box of Kirkland Signature Flex-Tech 13-Gallon Kitchen Trash Bags for $21.49 -- though ideally, you'll only go through a handful of garbage bags in the course of cleaning up after your shindig.

Shopping at Costco commonly means racking up a lower credit card bill in the process. And that's important at a time like this. So once you've settled on a date for your next party, do yourself a favor and visit your local Costco to see what supplies are in stock. You may find that the prices at your local warehouse club store are even cheaper than what you see online, thereby allowing you to really trim your costs without compromising on any of the fun.