Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
Listen to me talk about this article in my podcast.
Saving on your child's birthday party can be easy once you answer 4 basic questions. What, where, when, and how many?
What? Decide what kind of party you want to have. Do you want a specific theme? Is it a significant birthday milestone? Along with these questions, you need a max budget number. Don't plan a party without setting one ahead of time. It's too easy to get carried away with “making the day special” ““ and forget how much everything will cost once added together. Setting a budget will also help you determine the where, when, and how many.
Where? If you want a theme party, you may need to skip costly venues to stay in budget. Host the party at home or a free location, like a local park. Instead of a pricey location, put a few dollars into transforming the space into what your child likes or is interested in. Beware of trying to compete with other parents. Remember, you're creating fond memories for your birthday boy or girl, not trying to impress someone else.
In nice weather, opt for an outdoor party. This keeps all the activity and mess out of the house. Kids often say that the most fun parties are the ones where they were able to play games and interact with each other. So plan simple fun: have a scavenger hunt, play tossing games, have a water fight with balloons and squirt guns, or other party activities that require little supplies and no expensive equipment.
If you need to host the party inside, plan games there too. Especially if you don't want people just running around the house for 2 hours. Some suggestions are interactive games using items you hand back and forth (like the old “hot potato” game), or even guessing games.
If you absolutely have to have a party at a specific location, ask what you can bring in. For example, maybe your child loves bowling or roller skating. You may not have to buy the venues “birthday package” to have your party there. Ask what is required to have a party, and what is optional. You might find that they will provide cake, at $25 ““ or you are welcome to bring one in ““ at $3.50 that you baked yourself.
When? The time of day can make a big difference in cost. A party held between meal times allows you to stick to just offering cake and ice cream. Want to have a few munchies? A little goes a long way when you're not actually offering a full meal. Consider inexpensive items, like carrots sticks, with a dab of ranch for dipping. Avoid feeling like you have to offer a huge spread.
Time of day and day of the week can also affect pricing if you decide to have the party at a venue. Some locations will give you a better rate if you are able to have the party during a slow business time. You'll have the place “more to yourself” during slow times, to boot.
How many? Many parents allow their kids to invite the number of kids that correspond to their age (for example, seven kids for a seven-year-old's party). However, you may need to set a limit regardless of age. Smaller parties help to keep the expense down.
If you're concerned about offending anyone ““ or if your child's school has policies about party invites ““ you may need to come up with an alternative idea to stay in budget. For example, consider hosting an “open house style, cake only” get-together where more people are invited. A couple decorations, maybe a balloon or two, and some cake ““ but that's it. Then have a “best-friends or closest family-only” party that is more elaborate, but the guest list is small.
With Facebook and other social media these days, mailing out invitations isn't necessary. However, it is wise to ask for a yea or nay response, in advance, so you know how many to count on. There is a caution about employing social media, though. If you are trying to keep the guest list small, putting the event on social media might cause problems. It's too easy for people to comment, or reply, and have that information or discussion show up outside the “invite” list. So use care if you are limiting your invites.
What about decorations and party favors? Both of these can be skipped altogether or at least kept to a minimum. If you spring for birthday decorated paper products, don't get them at grocery or department stores (unless, of course you found them on a deep discount). Instead, shop the dollar stores. The dollar stores carry generic (no age related) birthday décor that can be reused from year-to-year, if stored properly. And if you haven't look lately, you might be very pleasantly surprised at the selection of themed and patterned tableware now available.
Does your princess or Lego-lover just have to have THAT character for their party décor? Don't buy everything with that on it. Instead, select a few pieces for decorations, then use the colors from the character or theme to buy coordinating tableware. You'll still get the effect, but at a fraction of the cost.
Helium-filled special occasion balloons from the dollar store double perfectly for décor and party favors. Simply use a small baggie of candies or a candy bar as a balloon weight, and after the party, send them home with guests.
Party favors can be tricky, so think outside the box. Forget chintzy, little toys that come a dozen in a pack. Consider things that are useful, and edible. Some suggestions include: inexpensive school supplies (did you read our article on other uses for school supplies?), small candies (get bags with numerous pieces, then split up), and even things like snack-sized packages of crackers.
Other cost savers to consider
Bake, don't buy: Kids aren't too fussy when it comes to cake. They just want a special cake that celebrates them.
Consider cupcakes: Cupcakes can double as part of the party fun. Bake the cupcakes, but don't decorate them. Instead, provide some frosting and sprinkles, or candies, and let the kids decorate their own.
Consider alternatives to cake: To make things different, or perhaps follow a theme, offer plain donuts or cookies for the kids to decorate as a substitute for cake. Another fun alternative is the large cookie-cake.
Cover your floor: If you decide to offer any “decorate your own”, buy a couple throw-away table covers from the dollar store to cover the floor. It's a lot cheaper than scrubbing frosting out of your carpet.
Offer bottled water: Instead of buying soda or juice boxes, offer plain water bottles. An inexpensive alternative, it's healthier as well.
Consider crafts: This one idea is the coveted party trifecta: it covers three party elements at once! If you have a child that enjoys arts and crafts, this can make an inexpensive party activity, double as a theme, and triple as party favors. Check the dollar store and craft stores for fun project ideas.
Check online: Sites such as Oriental Trading Company (orientaltrading.com) have endless ideas and party supplies. Although they are not always the cheapest route, they can offer ideas to help spark your perfect party. And sometimes, you can find what you need at a fraction of the cost elsewhere. Be sure to comb their sale and “less than perfect” areas of the site for steals and deals. And, whatever you do, don't ever buy from them without checking for a coupon code first. They regularly put out codes for things like free shipping.
Plan WAY in advance: The ultimate way to save on parties is to plan in advance, as far out as you can. A loved one's birthday date is no surprise, so why wait? Gather ideas, check retail pricing, and be armed with information to watch for great deals on everything you'll need for that next celebration.
