Top Ten Tips - Saving Money On Children’s Birthday Parties
By Tip Diva | May 16, 2008
Categories: Activities, Budget, Celebration, Children, Drinks, Driving, Eating, Family, Food, Friends, Fun, Games, Home, Household, Money, Outdoors, Party, Savings, Shopping, Stores, Tips, Websites
Children’s birthday parties can cost a pretty penny after you factor in food, decorations, goody bags and more. However, there are ways you can save money, yet still have a lot of fun:
- Cook Your Own Food Instead Of Buying - Instead of ordering food or getting the party catered, opt to cook your own food instead. Easy party food includes hors’ deourves, backyard barbequing, pasta and salads. Baking and decorating your own cake or cupcakes from boxed mixes is much cheaper than ordering a custom-made sheet cake.
- Buy Generic Brands - Instead of buying name-brand sodas, chips, ice-cream and other food fare, buy the store or no-frills version instead. The guests will likely not know the difference in taste. For more, see Top Ten Tips - Saving At The Supermarket.
- Shop At A Wholesaler - If you have to buy a lot of certain items, consider going to a wholesale club like Costco or BJ’s to buy them.
- Have The Party At Home - Instead of hosting the party at a themed restaurant, movie theater, arcade or party place, consider having the party at home. If you don’t have the room to hold guests, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives, including parks and smaller rental halls.
- Limit Guests - Instead of having 20 guests, including children that your child hardly interacts with, limit the party to close friends and family. If you don’t want hurt feelings, mail the child’s invitations instead of handing them out in school.
- Make Your Own Invitations - Instead of paying a lot of money for printed or pre-made invitations, make your own with construction paper or printing them out on your computer.
- Opt Out Of A Commercial Party Theme - Themed children’s parties - whether Hannah Montana, the latest Disney movie or cartoon characters - are the big rage. Almost anything at the party can be themed - including balloons, tablecloths, streamers, paper plates, invitations and the cake. But such themes cost a lot of money. Sticking with simple decorations, cutlery, tableware and other party goods will save you a lot of money. You can always “theme” the party by going to a craft store and making your own centerpieces and decorations, or printing out posters and signs using your computer.
- Blow Up Your Own Balloons - Renting a small helium tank may be cheaper than getting the balloons pre-filled. Or you can save even more money by blowing up your own balloons. You can make them “float” by taping them to a wall, hanging from lights and fans or grouping them to make centerpieces.
- Supply Your Own Music And Entertainment - Put on the radio or break out your iPod instead of renting a deejay, and supply games, crafts and other entertainment instead of hiring a professional clown, magician or other entertainer. AmazingMoms.com has a great website on party games for children.
- Don’t Spend Too Much On Goody Bags - A small toy and a handful of candy is enough for a goody bag - you don’t need to fill it to the brim or buy expensive toys. Or in place of goody bags, have the children make a personalized craft that they can bring home.
Other Tips To Check Out:
As always, these are some great tips. Birthday parties for kids these days have become very involved. Halls, hired entertainers and large guest lists are not on uncommon.
James
http://blog.jvf.com
James’s last blog post: Networking Success: The Right Way to Make Referrals
good good