Only a parent, party-throwing aunt or party planner can understand the stress that goes into arranging a kid’s birthday party. Looking at it from the outside, it may seem like all you need is balloons, snacks and a big cake.
But believe it or not, there’s a lot of detail and costs involved. Then of course all the decisions need to be made. Themes, colours, potential guest list, the party outfit and of course what type of cupcakes to opt for can keep a mom or aunt busy for weeks. Let’s help you simplify the process AND make it more affordable.
Clever Planning is Key
For many parents or caregivers, their children’s birthdays are both a time of joy and dread. Giving your child the type of party they want can be quite costly and if you have more than one child, the stress doubles, or triples. Fortunately, our party planning experts have compiled a list of top budget-saving ideas to help you give your kids a fun birthday without breaking the bank.
1. Opt for Your Backyard
Party venues can be expensive. Choosing to have your kid’s party in your backyard will save the cost of hiring a venue for a few hours. Don’t have a backyard? Consider asking a grandparent, aunt or family friend to host the party at their home. You’ll still do all the work, they’ll just provide the space!
Alternatively, look for a safe park where you can have a picnic-style party. Ensure there are enough adults to help look after the kids. Using a park increases the types of fun you can include, such as water sports and outdoor activities. So, for various reasons, it’s a win-win.
2. Make Your Own Decorations
Depending on the age of your children, you can easily get away with making your own decorations. This will reduce the cost of expensive theme-specific store decorations. The good news is that there are tons of ideas online and platforms such as Pinterest have ideas for every theme you can think of.
A golden tip here is to start making your decorations well in advance. This will allow ample time for practice and do-overs if you’re doing it for the first time. If you have access to a printer, you can also print a few decorations and create flags, posters and even cupcake toppers.
3. Look for Bargains Year-Round
The main reason parents find birthday parties so stressful is that they wait until just weeks before the party to start doing anything. The trick to having everything you need is to shop year-round. Do this by looking out for neutral (non-theme-based) decorations such as balloons, paper cups and plates, and tablecloths that you can get at a good price.
For instance, if you know you’re going to be throwing a little girl’s party, but you’re not sure if she’s going to opt for unicorns or Barbie when decision-time comes, buy light or pastel-coloured balloons and tableware. You can simply add one or two themed accessories later on.
4. Start a Party Bin
If your children are still small, it’s safe to say that there will be quite a few parties to plan for in coming years. Make this easy on yourself by keeping the previous party’s decorations. Clean them and store them in an airtight container. This is especially relevant to plain-coloured items that can be used again a few years down the line, such as:
- Left over, unused balloons
- Tablecloths
- Costumes (these are great for Halloween for smaller children in the family)
- Party plates, cups, and even plastic spoons
It’s also a good idea to start an arts and crafts bin if you’re going to make future decorations. Keep items such as craft paint, cardboard and crinkle paper handy for the next event.
5. Streamline the Party Favour Bag
There’s no need to go overboard with the goodie bag your little one gives the other kids. Look out for stores that sell bulk trinkets at an affordable price. Add a few treats, which you can also buy in bulk. Shop around for bulk party favour bags or create your own by using a plain-coloured option.
6. Choose the Right Time
If you have the party around lunch or dinner time, etiquette dictates that you provide a meal as well. Avoid this by having a party between lunch and dinner. That usually means between 1 pm and 4 pm, or a morning party between breakfast and lunch.
Alternatively, opt for a few simple sandwich platters to offset all the sugar.
Final Thoughts
There are many ways to cut corners financially when it comes to hosting a kid’s party. The more parties you plan, and the more you open yourself up to being creative, the easier it will become. Planning is key to a fun and memorable party, and it will also reduce overall stress and cost!