My son's first birthday is fast approaching and, while horribly sad he's growing up so fast, I am super excited to start party planning. With him being my third child, I like to think I've become an expert at party planning for cheap. Here are some easy ways to save money on a great party!
Pay attention to the venue
When picking a venue for your child's party make sure to focus on what is included. Try to pick a venue before your other plans are under way. If your going to pay for a party room ensure that you know the venue's rules and what's included in the package. A lot of times it is more cost effective to provide your own food, than to rely on the venue for catering. Always check to find out if outside food and drink is permitted. If food is included in the party package that can be a plus, but don't pay extra for a slice of pizza if you could bring your own for less. Also, see if the venue includes party favors and decorations in their pricing so you can get the most value for your money. Having the party at home or a family members house is another way to save a lot of money.
Food
Party food for a kid's party is fairly simple. Kids usually don't care if the food is gourmet. Keep the food simple. Choose kid friendly foods like pizza, hot dogs, or fruit and veggie trays and your kids will be perfectly happy. Most kids really only care about the cake. I say to always provide some sort of veggie, however, to encourage healthy eating. If you can make the cake a lot of money will be saved and you may have more options on flavor, as store bought cakes can often limit your options. If baking is not your area of expertise buying a generic pre-made cake and topping with figurines of your child's favorite characters is a great solution, also. Most grocery store bakeries will even write "happy birthday" on a pre-made cake for free.
Decorations
I absolutely hate spending money on decorations. I do so when it's a matter of convenience, but if I have the time and will power, I would prefer to make my own. A lot of decorations can be printed on card stock straight from Google. Get creative with your decorations. Check your venue before investing time and money into hanging and wall decor. When it comes to table clothes and balloons, shop around before your purchase anything. Simple colored table clothes are widely available and easy to make match any theme. Dollar stores are a great place to check but may not always be the cheapest. I've found table clothes and balloons for less money at party stores. Sometimes, it is better to do arts and crafts then to buy plastic party favors that will be lost in an hour; so, do your research before spending money. Also, l,ook into handmade invitations or e-vites.
Keep it simple
As I parent, I completely understand the desire to make things perfect for your child. It's easy to get wrapped up in your own wishes and carried away, but remember that all your child really cares about is having fun. First birthday parties can be the worst. Such a big milestone deserves a huge party, right? However, your child will most likely not remember or care how extravagant you make their party. Rather than stress over perfection, spend your energy on making the experience fun for the children. Be sure to check out my Pinterest page for more great budget friendly party ideas!
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