Children's Parties on a Budget
Children's birthday parties have gotten more and more expensive, but that doesn't mean you can't throw an inexpensive and fun celebration for your child. There are several ways you can give your child a great party while not torpedoing your own budget. Here are a few suggestions to help you out.
Have the Party at Your Home
Having a party at your own home instead of a restaurant or a kid-friendly entertainment venue can knock down the cost of the party significantly. You can make the house fun for the kids by going to town on balloons and decorations you make yourself. If you have a big backyard and the weather is fine, use it to let the kids have fun outside. You can also consider having the party at a local park. Many parks have picnic tables, barbeques for outdoor cooking, and playgrounds, making them the perfect place for a party.
Bake the Cake and Make the Food Yourself
Making your own food will help you save money. You can bake the cake and decorate it yourself, drawing creative inspiration from online recipes or cake books from your local library. For other food items, you could opt for smaller snacks like chips and pizza rolls, or hot dogs and hamburgers if you have a grill.
Keep the Number of Guests Under Control
A reasonable number of invitees will keep the cost of the party down as well. Make sure your child understands that they cannot invite the entire school, only some of their closer friends. Also, when you get ready to send invitations, instead of buying some, sit down with your child and make your own. Doing so not only will save money, but it makes the invitations far more personal than those you would buy in a store.
Provide the Entertainment Yourself
You can plan your own fun activities for the party. Simple party games like musical chairs and mini treasure hunts can provide inexpensive fun. You can also turn on some music, grab a broom or a pole, and have a limbo contest. If you have a big yard and a nice day, you can have the kids play kickball or some other outdoor sport like badminton. Make sure, however, that you have backup activities ready to go. Kids' attention spans, especially the younger ones, are fleeting enough that you'll want to make sure you have enough planned to keep them active, engaged, and happy.
