Easy Frugal Ideas for a Kid's Birthday Party

Birthday parties are a fun way to celebrate your child's birthday and make them feel extra special.

Beware: Hosting parties are a fast way to spend a lot of money, as well.

There is still hope: Parties do not have to break the bank.

There are several easy and creative ways to keep the party budget on a tight leash, especially if you want to be frugal and not throw money away on unnecessary party spending.

Beware! Two things that can cause you to lose sight of your party budget:

1. Excitement
2. Stress

Both can cause one to stray off the cheaper path, influencing you to pay for things (like hiring a clown or buying an expensive cake and catered food).

Yes, it can be more convenient but usually comes with a higher price tag.

Ways to avoid over-spending:

1. Set a realistic budget from the start and keep it in your mind whenever you are buying or planning anything for the party.
2. It can be easier to properly plan on what to spend on the party if you have a longer stretch of time to do so and you will avoid splurging on things due to lack of time.
3. Remember that you cannot return things like half-eaten cake or a clown that attended the party.

A little planning (and restraint to spend) goes a long way.

The more guests you invite, the cost for food and possibly games and activities tend to rise. Limit your guest list to the bare minimum. If your child is looking forward to mainly enjoying the party with close friends, then think about honoring his request and making it a kid-only party.

Some churches allows you to rent the hall or a smaller reception room for free or for an affordable price. Ask your church if this is possible.

After you create your guest list, decided where to host your party.

Some venue suggestions:

• Your house: Have a barbecue to cook the food as the guest arrive instead of worrying about doing it ahead of time and making too much. You have more control of the time for the party, how long it runs and can keep track of the kids easier.
• Friend/relative's house: Ask a friend or relative to have the party at their house if it is not possible at your place ...or if they have a pool and you do not! The kids will play in the pool, saving you the hassle of planning other activities.
• Chuck E. Cheese, Adventure Landing or other kid-friendly attractions: To keep the cost down, do not go through them directly to host the party. Invite a few of your child's friends to meet up and order a pizza there. Bring your own cake. If you reserve through them, a minimum party package is required to host the party since they will be the ones actually hosting and taking care of everything.

Reusing items you already have around the house helps to cut down not only on food but possibly on decorations, games, entertainment and any other activities.

Additionally, hand making things yourself will cut down on these expenses.

Invites:

• Send invites online. It is the cheapest and most Eco-friendly way to send out invites. It saves paper and time from buying, mailing or making invites. You can use Evite, Facebook and email. Evite and Facebook invites allows you and your guests to keep track of details for the party and for guests to easily RSVP.
• Try DIY invites if you want to send out physical invites. Maybe have the party celebrant help hand-make them, reuse art work he has already made, scrapbook paper or cardstock you already have. DIY idea: Cut out medium-size circles or shapes from a poster board to make several invites.
• Print out free cards and templates online. Browse Pinterest and you can be sure to find some that fit your theme.

Decorations:

Kids are usually content with simple decorations.

• Balloons: They serve multiple party purposes and come in a variety of colors to make any party more festive. Kids can play games with them and even take them home as party favors instead of sweets or goody bags. Use a balloon to make a pinata instead of buying.
• Reuse items you already have to make additional decoration. For example, hang a tablecloth on a wall and set up a photo booth area. Provide things around the house for props or dress up clothes for kids to use. Plastic tablecloths can be used as chair covers, too.
• Use toys, pictures and books for decorations you already have to fit the theme. Read a book that matches the theme for a story time during the party, especially if it is a party centered around a book. Toys your kids own can help decorate the table. Put up pictures you have that go with the theme or pictures of the party celebrant as decoration.
• Print out free templates online for food labels, cupcake toppers and decoration.

Food can end up being where you spend the most for the party. There are multiple ways to keep the cost down.

• Choose a time for the party where a lot of food is not expected like the early afternoon.
• Portion out food servings prior to the party instead of just laying them all out on platters and trays. This way, guests will not just pile food onto a plate and then throw it away, particularly younger kids who do not eat as much. Bonus: Serving smaller portions helps your guests who are watching their food intake!
• State on the invite that the party will have limited food. For instance, specify that it is a "cake and ice cream" party - set up an ice cream sundae bar where guests make their own ice cream treats. For a party closer to lunch or dinner time, choose one big entrée like spaghetti which is easy, inexpensive and serves plenty.

The video shows an easy way to use food not only for eating but as décor on the table. The best part is that it does not take much time and no baking or cooking required!

You can still throw a fun bash that the kids will remember and appreciate without extending the leash on your party budget.

In the end, the memory of a good time is all that matters to the birthday boy or girl and other guests!

Happy party planning!

©BNadyn 2014