Budget Party Planning

Planning a birthday party for your child can be a daunting task. Combined with today's economy and it can be downright stressful! With a little planning and ingenuity, you will find you can throw a fabulous & memorable party on a tight budget.

1. Make a budget.
Before you party shop, make a budget & a list of supplies you need and make a pact with yourself to stick to it! A detailed shopping list with your budget written on it will help keep you focused & keep you from impulse buying.

2. Have the party at home or a neighborhood park.
Yes, Pump It Up is a great place to have a children's birthday party, but it will set you back $250. Parties at free locations can be just as fun.

3. Pick a theme.
Working with a theme that interests your child makes party planning so much easier. Suddenly your child's Star Wars action figures become cake toppers and mini pretzels become Fairy Wings. The Internet & party planning websites like Birthday Party Ideas are an amazing source of theme party ideas.

4. Shop your house.
Before you head out to the store, look around your house for cake candles leftover from previous parties or how about using a twin sheet for a tablecloth? Be creative and you will find that you have to buy less.

5. Balloons & Streamers go a long way.
A few dollars spent on a bag of latex balloons and rolls of streamers can have a big impact on your party. These colorful decorations are inexpensive and very festive. Instead of using helium, save money by blowing balloons up yourself the old-fashioned way (with your mouth!). Tape balloons to your walls & furniture or simply let them float on the float in a big pile. Kids love tossing around blown up balloons.

Use construction paper, markers, crayons & glitter to make a birthday banner. Your child will love helping and since most of us have those things around the house anyway, it doesn't cost a thing.

6. Make your own cake.
Homemade cakes taste great and cost a fraction of the cost of bakery cakes. Worried about time? Ask a friend or family member to make the cake for you. Consider it their gift to the birthday child.

7. Stay away from licensed partyware.
While the Transformer plates & napkins are really cool, they will totally blow your budget. Most kids won't even notice them anyway. Instead, buy 1 licensed item, such as napkins, and use solid partyware in coordinating colors for everything else. For example, at Wal-Mart you can purchase a package of 20 solid colored plates for $1.50 while a package of 8 Tinkerbell plates will cost $2.94.

8. Use your own utensils.
It is cheaper and better for the environment than buying plastic forks & spoons.

9. Scoop your own ice cream.
Sure, it is more convenient to buy those cute little ice cream cups at the grocery store. It will also cost you double. Instead, a day before the party scoop ice cream into cupcake liners, place them on a cookie sheet, cover with plastic wrap and stick in the freezer. The same convenience, but half the cost!

10. Play classic party games.
Games like Simon Says, Musical Chairs and Simon Says are all fun & FREE!

Kids are pretty easy to please and I think you will find that a little goes a long way! Happy party planning!