Labor Day is coming up (Monday, September 2) and you’ve probably already given some thought to how you’re going to celebrate the end-of-summer holiday. Or, if you’re like some people, you won’t give it much thought until about three days before the big day. Either way, you’ll be happy to know that you can have a great time on Labor Day with friends and family without spending a lot of money!
GO TO A PARADE – Memorial Day and Independence Day are well known for their parades, but Labor Day parades aren’t uncommon, either. What’s nice about a parade – besides the fact that they’re FREE – is that they provide lots of entertainment for the whole family.
VISIT A FAIR – The end of summer is often observed with a fair, festival or carnival of some sort, and admission is usually free (but not always). Simply walking around can often be the most entertaining and cost efficient way to enjoy a fair. Things can get a little costly if you want to play games, ride rides and enjoy some deep fried fair food, but with a little budgeting and shopping around, you should be okay.
THROW A BARBEQUE! – There are three holidays upon which a barbeque is almost a requirement: Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. Thankfully, the tradition is a relatively affordable way to celebrate with friends and family members. Of course, that’s assuming you follow the “budget barbequing” tips I discussed in a blog entry earlier this summer!
HAVE A PICNIC – How is a picnic different from a barbeque? Good question. They’re actually not all that different – both feature good food at a good price – but a picnic lets you take the meal away from the home to a local park or another picturesque location. When planning a picnic menu, choose foods that are all eaten at the same time (spreading the food out on the blanket is the best part!) and be sure to keep everything at the right temperature in a cooler packed with plenty of ice.
CELEBRATE AT HOME – If you don’t feel like going to a fair or parade, planning a picnic, or even firing up the barbeque, you can still have a good time with the family at home. Instead, order some takeout (or save money by making something yourself) and try a Labor Day movie marathon!