Children get very giddy around their birthdays. Many of them have a number of extravagant ideas of how they want to celebrate. As their parent, you want to make their birthday as special and memorable as you possibly can. But when you are working on a tight budget this can make this very difficult to achieve. As well as this, there is a tremendous amount of pressure on parents these days to throw a unique and elaborate kids’ party.
Fortunately, there are ways to give your child a wonderful celebration, without breaking the bank. Read on for your guide to planning a child’s birthday on a budget.
Where can I find affordable birthday party supplies?
You can find paper plates and decorations at stores such as Walmart and Target, check out websites like Etsy that offer custom decorations, or look for used items in garage sales and second-hand stores. No matter who you are shopping for or how much you need to buy, there is always a way to get creative while staying within the constraints of parenting budgets!
Buddy-up
If you have friends or relatives that have a child with a birthday around the same time as your child, hold a joint affair and split all the costs. Not only can this reduce your spending, it also means you’ll have someone to share the responsibilities with.
Sending The Invites
Don’t spend money on hard copy invites, move with the times and use digital invitations. There are many sites that allow you to create and email invites for free. But if you don’t have the time for this, a group text or email to parents is perfectly acceptable.
Choosing The Perfect Venue
Having the party at home can help you reduce your spending significantly. However, if you’d rather not host at home, a free alternative is the park. Obviously, this is weather dependent, but in the summer, a picnic in the park with outdoor games could be the perfect affair.
For a winter party, a local soft play center may be an affordable option. This is especially likely if the party is not taking place during peak times (weekends, school holidays, etc.). They may also permit you to bring along your own food, saving you more money.
A Fancy dress
Fancy dress just sounds like another expense you could do without, but there are ways to deliver this kind of party without spending too much cash. Buying a children’s fancy dress online will save you money as you can shop around for the best price. Alternatively, look for items in thrift shops or buy materials and make your own costumes.
Affordable Catering
Catering for kids birthday parties needn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Don’t feel pressured to provide lots or to provide an elaborate menu as it’s unlikely to get eaten. A sandwich each, a small selection of party nibbles and some cake will be sufficient. Or, spread the cost by organizing an international potluck affair where everyone brings along a dish from a different country. Bake your own birthday cake to save you money and to add a personal touch.
Decorations
Decorations are not likely to be expensive, unless you go overboard! Balloons are a good addition to a kids party and paper cups and plates are practical items. Look for decoration packs from online stores like Amazon. These tend to be cheap and anything that is not used this time, can be used for the next party.
How much should you spend on kids’ birthday parties?
When it comes to budgeting for kids birthday parties, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Every family and every child is different and so, too, are their birthday party needs. Although there’s no hard and fast rule, there are a few key points that parents should consider when planning their child’s special day. Let’s take a look at some of the things you should keep in mind when budgeting for your kid’s birthday party.
Know What You Can Afford
No matter how much you love your child or how much you want to give them the best birthday party ever, it’s important to start with a realistic budget. Think about how much money you can comfortably spend on the party without putting too much strain on your finances. Once you have an idea of what you can afford and still feel comfortable, this will help guide all of your decisions moving forward.
Consider Your Child’s Interests
When planning a kid’s birthday party, it’s important to consider what your child likes doing and what kind of activities they enjoy participating in with their friends. If your little one loves playing video games or sports, you may want to include those activities in the party plans. If they like arts and crafts more than anything else, consider having a craft table at the event where kids can create something fun as part of their celebration. This will make your child feel extra special since they are being actively involved in making their own memories on their big day!
Think About Your Guest List
Another key factor when figuring out how much money to spend on a kid’s birthday party is who will be attending the event. If it is going to be just family members attending then you don’t need to worry about buying lots of decorations or hiring entertainment such as face painters or clowns for example (unless this is something that your child really wants). However if there will be lots of other children attending then these extra items may be necessary to ensure that everyone has a great time at the event!
At the end of the day, how much money you decide to spend on your kid’s birthday party depends entirely on what works best for both you and your child. It’s important not to set unrealistic expectations when it comes down to budgeting so that everyone involved can have an enjoyable experience without any added stress or pressure! With careful planning and consideration for both your financial situation as well as what will make your little one happy, you can make sure that everyone enjoys themselves while celebrating your son or daughter’s special day!
