I am going to share with you some tips that will hopefully be helpful the next time you are getting ready to plan your child's birthday party. Keeping a budget is hard when it comes to our little ones, but with some effort and planning, you can afford to throw a fantastic party.
Plan Ahead
We all know when our kids birthdays are - so it is important to plan ahead for their party. The biggest reason I see that parents spend so much money is because they wait until the very last minute. By doing that you end up over spending every time. You will pay increased shipping on supplies, full price on party goods and so on. When planning ahead you can shop sales and clearance racks. You also run the risk of your favorite entertainer not being available by waiting till the last minute. So do not wait until 2 weeks before the party to start planning - try to start at least 3 months in advance. It will also be less stressful and more enjoyable for you in the end as well.
Go Easy on the Theme
I think the themed party goods are great, but if you are on a tight budget here are some tips that my wife and I follow. Use solid colored paper goods and just add in the theme plates or just the dessert plates or Napkins. You can even just get away with the theme table cloth. Sometimes even a few themed balloons add just the touch without blowing the bank.
One big hit the kids love is to buy solid paper from the roll - usually found at a teacher supply store and comes in various colors. You top your table with this and toss some crayons out and let the kids draw as they are sitting at the table.
Party Favors
Yet another place parents overspend almost all the time. First you must keep in mind that party favors are just a small token to say Thanks for coming to my party.
The second thing is to think of what you would want to see come home with your kids from a party and I am sure it is not useless carnival toys and bags full of candy.
Bake some cookies and add a juice box. Attach a note saying something like Thanks for coming to my party it was SWEET of you and your guests will have a nice snack to enjoy after the party.
If you decide to send kids home with toys and candy - keep it minimal and be creative. And again always look for sales and clearance items. Find things sold in multiples to save even more money.
I hope these tips help you plan your party and stay within your budget.
~Magicman
