Blow Out the
Candles... Not Your Budget! by
Kimberly Danger
Children’s birthday parties are a big deal. Anyone who has a young child knows
that they anticipate them as much as Christmas and begin planning them months
ahead of time. Birthday parties today may seem bigger than ever before, some
parents sparing nothing to entertain their kids. However, the real focus of your
child’s party should be spending time and having fun with friends and family,
which doesn’t have to cost a lot. Here are some suggestions to keep the budget
down, but not the fun!
Keep the Guest List Small
Don’t feel guilty about limiting the size of the party. Experts recommend
that the number of kids on your guest list should match your child’s age. Your
child will have just as much fun with a few close friends to help him celebrate,
and no one will be overwhelmed.
Compare Costs of Locations
In most cases, the most economical place to hold your party will be your
home. However, some places like gymnastics schools, museums, bowling alleys, and
pizza restaurants offer birthday packages that are worth considering. Be sure to
ask what their price includes. Most don’t include decorations or party favors,
so you’ll have to add that when figuring your cost. Other ideas include: a fire
station tour, visiting a pet store or animal shelter, or a simple visit to the
park.
Don’t Do Go Overboard on Themed Merchandise
Barbie or Spiderman may be your theme, but that doesn’t mean you have to buy
the plates, napkins, and invitations to match. Buying all the stuff on the party
aisle can kill your budget. Instead, look for a few choice items with your
child’s theme, and fill in the rest with matching colors. For my son’s recent
Thomas the Tank engine party, we bought one simple mylar balloon (these are
often available at your Dollar Store) and filled in with coordinating plain red
and blue napkins, balloons, cups, etc.
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Make it a Cake-Only Party
Planning your party before or after mealtime serves two purposes; kids
aren’t going to be hungry (translation: cranky), and you won’t have to incur the
cost of a meal. Instead, focus on the cake and ice cream. Making your own cake
will save even more. There are some great web sites with instructions on simple
cake-making for every theme imaginable. If you’re not all that creative, a
simple sheet cake can be make to look “professional” with some sugar sprinkles
(great for covering up a bad frosting job) and some small toys or inexpensive
objects (matchbox cars, silk flowers, dollar store trinkets) that serve as cake
toppers.
Invitations
Homemade invitations add a personal touch and can be a special
keepsake for your child. For themed parties, look for coloring pages on
the internet that can be scaled to fit an invitation, cut them out and
have your child color them. A simple photo of the birthday child dressed
to fit your theme or holding a sign that says “Come to My Party” can be
a fun way to get the word out. The cost of printing a 4x6 photo (now as
low as $.12 at
Snapfish.com)
Make-and-Take Party Favors
Simple craft activities can keep your guests entertained, and provide them
with a nice keepsake to take home at the end of the party. For loot bags, buy
plain lunch sacks and have guests decorate them with stickers and markers while
waiting for others to arrive. Pinatas can be easily made with balloons and paper
mache, or a simple brown paper bag and filled with inexpensive candy to use to
fill the goodie bags. Other activities such as decorating a terra cotta pot, a
craft foam picture frame, beading a bracelet, etc.
About the Author:
Kimberly Danger is the
owner/publisher of Mommysavers.com, and online resource
for parents interested in saving time and money.
She is the author of
1000 Best Baby Bargains. Ms. Danger lives in
Southern Minnesota with her husband and two kids.
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