Throwing your kids a birthday party on a budget takes careful planning and a whole lot of discipline. But, I assure you that it is possible. It’s all about timing it right, choosing the right food, carefully thinking through decorations, and staying focused on who it’s all for.
This post is all about helping you find ways to throw a birthday party on a budget that everyone will love and enjoy!
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Birthday Party on a Budget
How much should you spend throwing a birthday party on a budget?
The average family spends around $300 on each child’s birthday party, with some other families spending upwards of $800 or more.
What you spend on your kids’ birthday parties really just comes down to what fits into your own personal budget. I usually try to aim for inviting 10-15 guests and spending $100 or less, which is very doable if you plan carefully and stick to your plan.
My Top 11 Tips
Keep Your Guest List Small
The fastest way to up the price of a party is to fall into the trap of inviting the entire class, mom group, sports team, or whatever it may be. Regardless of the food, venue, or activities, more people will always mean more money. So, have your kids pick a small handful of friends to invite, maybe 3-5 and just enjoy a more intimate party.
Don’t Pick Meal Times
Having to serve your guests a full meal will get expensive fast. So, if it is at all possible, try to pick an off time during the day where your guests won’t expect a full meal. For example, if a party is scheduled for 3pm, people are more likely to expect snacks and dessert than a full force meal.
Consider a Brunch Party
If you come up with a list of inexpensive “kid” foods, you will likely come up with a list that is composed of mainly breakfast foods. Waffles, pancakes, bagels, scones, yogurt parfaits, and cinnamon rolls are all cheap to make and will be devoured by kids big and little.
I did a brunch party for my son’s first birthday with a waffle bar in our lego waffle maker and it was a huge hit! It was insanely easy, low stress, and low prep! Plus, if you decide to go for it, I have an entire article here with all our decor and food from Our First Birthday Brunch!
Skip the Pizza
Whether it’s pizza or some other sort of takeout, eating out is rarely (if ever) cheaper than making food at home. So while you may not want to worry about cooking on party day, there are tons of easy and inexpensive buffet style options that will save you a ton of money. For example, throw some frozen meatballs into a crockpot, throw some spaghetti in another, and throw some rolls in the oven! Then just add the sides of your choosing and ta da you’ll save a ton of money on your party.
Don’t Pay for Invitations
Paying for a certain party invitation template and/or paying to print invitations somewhere is a huge waste of both time and money. There are tons of free e-invites out there that you can send by text or email. Or…just text them. Every single mom who has ever planned a birthday party will understand.
Skip the Party Favors or Have Guests Make Them
Crafts are both an activity and a party favor, aka the best of both worlds for a birthday party on a budget. Wooden crafts that are colorable or paintable are super simple to set up and very inexpensive.
Make the Cake Yourself
While it may sound tempting to get a ready to go cake from a bakery, don’t fall for it. You don’t have to be good at baking or make the cake from scratch. An aldi box mix is only 98 cents and takes about 30 minutes to make. Plus, your kids might even enjoy making the cake with you!
Buy Your Party Supplies at Dollar Tree
Some party supply purchases are unavoidable, such as disposable plates, cups, silverware, etc. But, they definitely add up fast at most stores. So while you might be hesitant to try Dollar Tree, I highly recommend you give them a shot. They have some super cute options for a whole lot less than you will find them anywhere else!
Consider Facebook Marketplace for Decorations
Facebook marketplace is one of my absolute favorite places to shop. But it wasn’t until recently that I realized it was a gold mine for party decorations! You’d be amazed how many people put up full sets of decor and party supplies for themed kids’ parties! They are typically very cheap or even free because people don’t want to see their hard work go into the trash as soon as the party ends. So, start looking a few weeks ahead of time, snag it cheap, and then sell it again when your kids’ party is over!
Don’t Spend Money on a Venue
Even if you can’t/don’t want to host the party in your home, be selective with your venue. If the party is in the summertime, reserve a pavilion at the park and enjoy the outdoors. This is often free, requires little to no set up, and is a ton of fun for the kids.
Winter parties make avoiding a venue a little more difficult but not impossible. Many churches and fire halls will actually allow you to rent out their spaces for free as long as you give them plenty of heads up. So, call around places in your area. You may be surprised at what you find out.
Don’t Do a Balloon Arch
I am always in such shock when I hear what people will pay for a balloon arch. Don’t get me wrong, they are super cool looking. But, if we are being honest, our kids don’t care whether there are a bunch of perfectly arranged balloons at their party. But, if you really want to do a balloon arch, buy a balloon arch strip kit for under $5.
This post was all about creating your child an insanely memorable birthday party on a budget! I hope this post has shown you that it doesn’t have to be expensive to make them feel special.
– Beautifully Busy Mom
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Meet the Author
This post was written by Monica, a former teacher turned stay at home mom. After feeling very lonely at the beginning of her motherhood journey, she started this blog in hopes that other moms wouldn’t feel the way she felt. So, this blog is filled with free resources and fun activities so that you can enjoy the beautiful chaos that is motherhood. Let’s be friends 🙂
