I don't know about your kid, but Ainsley loves the anticipation and the creative process of planning and preparing for her birthday party as much as the actual party. Both of my kids love to cook. I just channel my mother.
!. Print own birthday invitations and hand deliver them. Or, buy a package at Dollar Tree. Ainsley drew a rough draft and her Daddy made her an original design on the computer.
2. Parks are FREE. Picnic tables, swings, and slides. (clean your house in case it rains and you need a backup plan).
3. Make your own cake. We went to Betty Crocker's website and watched "how to" videos for about 20 cakes. Zack wants the train or the dinosaur when he turns three. Ainsley loved the Princess Castle and the Princess cake. I wanted simple and fell in love with these great ice cream cone cakes. Cutting out forks and plates saved us $$$. It took us all evening on Friday to make them, but it had to have been as much fun as the party. This is where I spent my $33 for ice cream cones, candies hidden inside the cones, cream cheese frosting ingredients, 2 cake mixes, I splurged $8 on the reusable, easier to clean silicone cupcake cups.
4. Punch recipe: 2 litter bottle of sprite and 1 large jug of fruit punch. Mix in pitcher over ice.
5. Use a table cloth you already own and use normal utensils. There really is no reason to buy special cups, plates or forks for birthdays.
6. Skip decorating. You brought cool cakes and you're at a park.
7. Free entertainment. Now, we are super-lucky. My in-laws are professional missionary mimes & clowns. But, you might know a guitar player, a singer, someone who does puppets, or a sunday school teacher who tells a mean story with charades. Ask them to share their talent as the entertainment for your kid's party. They will be honored. If you don't know anyone bring glue, construction paper, paint, markers and scissors and let the kids make something.
8. Yard Games - bring the horse shoe set, croquet, volleyball, soccer ball or football.
9. Recheck your guest list. Invite only people you like and won't judge you. If there is someone who usually comes to your parties that often criticizes - just don't invite them.
10. Put a smile on your face and have a low-maintenence, easy-clean up, low-expense good time. A child's birthday party shouldn't need to be financed.
Oh, and there's still time to leave a comment to win a Juku Couture Doll.
6 comments:
My son's 11th birthday party back in April cost very little beyond the food and drink. It was a Dungeons and Dragons party, hubby ran the game using rule books and other resources which were about 20 years old and the only stuff I bought was a set of dice for each guest. It was great, simple and fun - even for me!
Caitlin's 10th birthday party last week cost me a fortune. And I had no fun at all. Unfortunately she's not into role playing games. Yet :)
I've been trying to persuade Tom, who turns 7 in a week and a half, to have his party at a local park. He's not convinced.
Great idea! We've typically done my middle daughter's party at a local lake - it's free and there's entertainment.
My cakes - despite being "gourmet" looking - I seriously earn the cake envy award from friends - are free - my MIL is great. She won't take our suggestions to start a business though - my friends alone would keep her well paid.
MY four year old's last party was a back to basics - we had it in our back yard and invited a small mix of friends and family. Husband asked me at one point "where are the games?" Um we don't need any - don't you see them having a blast running around playing? It's so hard to forget, in a world of bigger and better, that all kids need are their imaginations to have fun. It was the most fun, relaxing party we've had in awhile. And alot of my friends commented on how it's the first time they've gotten to just sit and relax in awhile as well.
Great post! I love this. I'm going to challenge myself with 100.00 budget for our Halloween party, and a 50.00 (or less) budget for the twins party. Think of how enviro conciencious your party was too. Very little landfill waste.
love the post! Two things that are so friggin awesome that deserve follow up post...one child cooks in the nude with apron? Also, having inlaws that are professional missionary mimes??? What does that mean? Thanks for all the tips, you truly have an original blog that I can't stop coming back to!
One child does everything in the nude. My potty training method is to break him of psychological diaper addiction. He can go potty - but only if he can just hop on pot. Not if he has to pull drawers down. Saves $$$. Also, hilarious and so cute brings me joy. My little David (Michelangelo) Don't worry, mostly he just sticks his hand right in the batter eating it while he stirs. I figure all germs are cooked out at 350 degrees.
Professional Missionary Mimes/Clowns - they go to other countries teaching children's teachers how to do miming, clowns and puppets. They do magic tricks and skits and games having to do with faith and God, etc. It's what they do for a living. They're quintessential grandparents.
Thanks for coming back PunditDad!
That's pretty impressive! In fact it sounds like something you would read in Family Fun or a similar mag. Have you thought about submitting it?
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