Planning a Birthday Party on a Shoestring Budget

If you are like most Americans, your budget is tight and leaves little room for extras. When it comes time for your son or daughter’s birthday party, you can have a fun celebration without spending exorbitant amounts of money. By planning ahead and trimming little excess areas, you can still have a great time and keep within your budget.

When it comes to planning a great birthday party on a budget, consider whom the celebration is for. Is it for you and your adult friends, or is it for the child and his or her friends? Keeping some perspective as you go will help you plan adequately. It really does not take much to impress and amuse young kids, so you need not plan an over-the-top affair for someone who is happy with “Pin the Tail on the Donkey”.

Next, consider keeping the decorations simple. A few balloons and streamers can add a lot of whimsy and color to any space, and they are inexpensive as well. Both balloons and streamers (or other inexpensive décor items) can be purchased at party planning stores, dollar stores and even craft shops. Make a few phone calls to see who offers these items at the best prices. You will save time and money by not driving from store to store to price these items.

Sometimes the single most expensive part of a birthday party is the cake. If you like to bake, you may want to make and decorate the cake yourself. There are many books and websites with ideas and tutorials for decorating a fabulous cake. If you do not want to bake the cake yourself, consider asking a friend or relative to do this for you. Another alternative is to make cupcakes with liners that match the theme of your celebration. Cupcakes are easier to frost and can be decorated simply.

Gifts are another budget busting item. This is definitely one area where you can save a lot of money by planning ahead. Consider shopping after Christmas and saving the gift until the birthday party. Also, many stores have clearance departments or semi-annual sales where you can score a great deal on the must-have gift. By taking a proactive approach to purchasing gifts you can minimize the damage to your wallet and still have a happy recipient when the gift is given.

The most important aspect of a birthday party is to have fun and enjoy celebrating the life of the child you are honoring. Memorable moments do not have to be expensive, they just need to be planned and executed with love.