Frugal birthday party ideas?

[proudmamanow]

So we are launching into the Dave Ramsey plan big time, and feeling very motivated & positive about getting rid of cc etc. I do foresee one huge challenge coming up though...two birthdays in two months. My two girls birthdays are happening at the end of March and the end of April. And we are trying to spend no more than $100 on each, ideally including the party.

I know some of you would suggest just skipping a the party (especially for a 2 yo who won't really notice). But....we missed her 1st birthday party due to illness and we don't really want to skip another, and dd1, who is turning 5 in April, is an aspiring party planner who is planning little sister's birthday as well as her own.

We usually have wonderful parties at home, featuring lots of homemade food, crafts and activities, but I would say we usually have upwards of 20 guests and spend $250 minimum. But we have fun So clearly we need to cut back.

This is what I'm thinking so far:
-have it at our house (as we always do)
-cut way back on special food (this is my big downfall...I love entertaining and can easily spend lots of money on special food)-one or two basic snacks, ditto drinks, and a dessert. This is slightly complicated by multiple food sensitivites in our own family & among our friends.
-make our own lootbags with fabric we already have, make playdough & treats ourselves to put in them, not sure what else we can make ourselves.

anyone got other ideas? We usually spend $$$ on loot bags, decorations, special plates, napkins, special crafts.

The theme for dd2's birthday is kitties & puppies
The theme for dd1's birthday is Princess Fairies Dancing and possibly something else, lol.

Given the climate in our area, we cannot plan 100% to go outside for either girls birthday, though it's more likely for the April party.

[Chloe&Coop'sMom]

What about doing a joint party sometime between the girls' actual birthdays? That would be your biggest cost cutter!

A cheap "loot" idea is sidewalk chalk. It is incredibly cheap! You could tie two sticks together with ribbon and a little gift tag.

[BetsyS]

You could pick one themed thing like cups, plates, or napkins, then fill in the rest with plain, colored ones. The dollar store or Target or wherever has lots of plain, colorful plates and cups.

Your 5 year old might go for an idea of all plain (but colored) plates and napkins, then plain plastic cups (seen recently at Walmart 4/$1) with a "decoration station" for people to write their name, use stickers, etc. This does two things--everyone only uses one cup for the party, plus it becomes their loot to take home. You can use stickers you already have, paint pens, and/or maybe glue on jewels for a princess party (with something like Aleene's Tacky Glue).

Another idea I've seen for a princess party is homemade playdoh for the favors. This person did pink playdoh with sparkly bits. I think she added a jar of dollar store glitter to the batch. Separate the batch into cellophane bags tied with pretty ribbon. Cellophane always looks so festive, but you can get the bags for less than 10 cents each at a party supply place.

[EarthyMamaofDaisy]

For the older child's gift bag you could buy a multi pack of cheap white undershirts and tiedye them. If you don't have dye laying around there is a method where you paint the dye on with cheap paints.

[ambersrose]

I would suggest skipping the loot bags all together and doing a single item as a momento from the party. We gave simple canvas backpacks for my oldest daughters birthday party in January and they were a huge hit with the kids and parents. I have done small stuffed animals and tye-dye shirts as well in the past.

[proudmamanow]

Lots of great ideas here. I floated the possibility of a joint birthday party with my big girl and she really liked it, to my great surprise. It really makes sense since most of dd2's friends are sibs of dd1's friends. I'm just not sure I can deal with the chaos of approx. 20 kids, but we will make it work...it's been a warm spring, so hopefully they can play outside
Like the idea of a take home item instead of loot bag. We did that for dd1's 3rd birthday, put together a jar of cookie mix so the kids could make cookies afterward, it was really popular. Hmmm I also like the make your own playdough thing--dd2 is gluten free as are a few friends, so gluten free playdough could be good!

[lilyka]

I would do a joint party and cut back on the guest list. 2 friends for the two year old and 5 for the five year old. Do craft and make that their party favor. in the past we did a pizza party. they made the pizza (Activity plas food) and decorated an apron (activity plus favor), a pirate party where i made cloth loot bads and a treasure map. the collected loot at every stop on the treasure map (dug for gold in the sand box - pretend coin and dd handed them a chocolate coin. then she read a library book. we filled the wading pool with bubble bath and they had to find the pirate rubber ducky with their name on it. dd read them a story and gave them a peice of candy and a bottle of bubbles for their bag. somewhere they had to find jewls again with the story and a peice of candy. theor bags came with an eye patch too -- of course.) Other activites were make a pirate hat and pirate flag. both with black and white construction paper. we made a pirate ship that we attatched to the porch (card board, lots of it and a couple of sheets for sails which were returned to the beds after we were done) and a couple of dingies (cardboard and duct tape) and lots of cannon balls (balloons). We had about 5 guests with 2 helpers. I made a pirate ship cake with figures we nabbed from her one birthday present. price per kid was less than $15 including food. and it was like a 4 hour party. the thing was to tie all the activities in with the loot bag. they left with a great party favor that cost almost nothing. Another one we did was a humane society themed party. the kids made blankets and toys and dog treats. then we took them to the shelter and played with the animals. It cost a little more but it was tax deductable. and for favors the kids each took home a giant dog bone cookie with their name on it, and tons of stuff for their pets (everyone at the party had either a dog or a cat or both so they took home toys and treats for a dog and toys and a blanket for the cat) . again the product of the activity was for the most part the party favor. Onmce we got dressed up fancy (We found a formal at Penny's for less than $3 and planned a party around it ), went to the beauty school and got hair and nails done ($10 each kid, 6 kids total counting my three), went to the park across the street and did pictures with a digital camera. the kids took home portaits ($1.50 each in paper and ink) and then we went to dinner at Chez Grandmer (or grandmas house ) where she fixed everyones favorites (roast beef and mashed potatoes and gravy) and we had cake and ice cream. she supplied the dinner as a gift to madeline. the flowers on the table went home with them. (also from grandma - don't be scared to get family in on the fun).

The kids may pick decorated plates or napkins or cups. everything else is solid. so much cheaper. keep them busy so you don't need a lot of food. limit guests and duration of the party. Don't underestimate, especially at this age, the value of a fun play date.

Ok I do not know how you will combine those two themes....but here are some suggestions for $50 - $75 parties for each of them.

The theme for dd2's birthday is kitties & puppies

pup-cakes. use fruit leather for floppy ears or whatever comes to mind, pip frosting for eyes and nose. $10

scooby snacks (gharam crackers) and puppy chow. you can have the kids make the puppy chow as a party activity. $10

juice.

loot bag: whistle, paw print stamp, fancy pony tail holder, target has puppy stuff in their dollar bin right now. limit the stuff to 2-3 items. fill in with candy or bone shaped cookie (I am kinda at a loss for cat themed cutsie). $15

Story time! Check out a cute book from the library.

here is a site with activities. most stuff you make yourself our of inexpensive materials. $10 or less.

paper plates and decorations - $5 get a couple balloons and use your own plates and napkins.

The theme for dd1's birthday is Princess Fairies Dancing and possibly something else, lol.
cake - $5. make a cake a decorate with a few fairy/princess/ ballarina toys that will be part of her present. Fischer price little people are excellent for this but anything without a lot of cloth will work well. or find some colored sugar and call it pixy dust. toddlers are not that picky.

dress up!!!!!!!! beg and borrow some dress up clothes for everyone. dance dance dance to fancy ballerina music. video tape and make it available to parents if you have easy camera to cd burning technology available. have a photo studio set up in the corner (sheet for a back drop and maybe a fancy place for them to stand) and make a a big deal of taking pictures.

So your dd wants to be a party planner does she I think she needs to plan and preform a puppet show. before the party have her make some sock puppets. scraps of yarn and satin and tulle could make some spectacular puppets. keep it short. three short plays are better than one long one.

Story time!!!! back to the library. I recommend pinkalicious and goldalicious....for some reason dd is not keen on purplelicious...not sure why. But I am pretty sure Pinkalicious is a ballerina fairy princess.....

get some end rolls of paper. trace the girls. add fairy wings. let the color and add sparkelies.

all these crafts and activities should not cost more than $10 total.

favors.....I think everyone needs either a tutu or a tiara. tiaras can be found that are attatched to combs in a six pack for about $5. tutus can be made from a peice of elastic and tulle. keep it kinda sparse and short to save money. This will likely run about $20. assuming you keep the guest list very short (2-3 guests plus the party girl.) look at the dollar store. you never know what you will find. tiarras....fairy wings....

snacks....they are babies. sugar cookies with pink sugar, cut up bananas and strawberries, string cheese, crackers. juice boxes $10

[EarthyMamaofDaisy]

I just remembered that we were at the fair and there was a lady who made fairy crowns to sell. She got the tiny star garland and twisted it into a crown and then took curly ribbon and attatched a bunch of pieces to be a tail for the crown. They were gorgeous and I'm sure they didn't cost much to make.

[proudmamanow]

Wonderful ideas, lilyka! love it! I will share them with my party planning dd--esp. love the dog ideas.
The cake is not really a concern, dp loves to make elaborate cakes for the girls and we can do this on a budget with homemade cake & homemade fondant.
EarthyMama thanks for the crown idea, sounds lovely.

[LaughingHyena]

We don't uses paper plates, cups etc. I bought a set of cheep plastic picnic ones (ours were the kids ones form IKEA). They were not than much more than paper ones and we've used them for years now.

I've found the easiest way to cut down on food it to hold the party at a time when people are not expecting a meal and just serve a few snacks (chopped fruit, cheese cubes on sticks etc)

The one party we had over a meal time we did oven baked fries, sausages and baked beans, then ice cream and cake. Maybe not the most healthy meal but I felt OK with it and the children ate it.

[proudmamanow]

so we are back to two parties, and this is the plan so far.
Dd2: a casual potluck with a number of close family friends. We will & small loot bags for the kids with homemade items, ditto some homemade decorations. Dd1 will plan some kind of kitty & puppy related game...we will provide drinks and cake & some basic items, but minimal cost.

Dd1: an afternoon bday, with small snacks only, parents will be encouraged to drop off to cut down on the number of people and food needed.

[madskye]

I didn't do bags last year, DD and I made big flower shaped sugar cookies with sprinkles on them, and stuck lollipop sticks into them so they were "on a stem" and then covered them with pink saran wrap and a ribbon. Very cute and inexpensive. And we got to make them together, and that was fun.

[caiesmommy]

I havent read the pp heres my tips

-joint birthday-seriously itd be like half the food ect
-no loot bags, or something like a library bag with a cheap book inside
-homemade cupcakes instead of a store bought cake
-simple colored plates ect

[zebra15]

NO LOOT BAGS
keep the party to 2 hrs
snacks vs food or just cupcakes
homemade cupcakes
JOINT PARTY
colored plates or use your regular plates
only 'special plates' for cupcakes

If your DD wantst o be a party planner what a great time to learn about the party budget

[onlygirls]

I know you already have a theme for both girls, but my friend had a theme for her daughter and it was her favorite color - which happened to be yellow. It turned out so cute! Everyone wore yellow and they carried the theme to food and decorations.

I have done very expensive birthday parties in the past. We had family fly out of state, catered food, a $200 cake and one year a photographer. It is sooooo stressful and I can honestly say I like the smaller parties better.

The easiest party we had was my daughters 2nd birthday. Where we live, there is a great natural foods store that has a deck and a playground. You can have parties there and you don't have to buy or reserve anything. We have a lot of friends who have had parties there because the kids love to play and the adults can chat. Bring bagels, muffins, juice and coffee for a morning party. Have cupcakes and some fruit for a middle of the afternoon party. You don't have to go all out for them to have a great birthday. Take it from a former birthday overspender.

[Ianthe]

Here is what we do for birthdays:

Cake is homemade (cupcakes actually)
Have it at the park: free and has a play area!
Buy party supplies at the $1 store. I spend about $10 here and reuse leftovers for camping and picnics.
Easy appetizers: chips and dip, fruit and veggies
Party Favors: Balloons from the decoration- kids love balloons!

Altogether, we spend about $25-30 total.

[zoebugsmom]

What are you spending $250 on for a party in your own home? Ouch.

Last year we combined our oldest 2 kids birthdays and had the party at a blue berry farm. Kids picked blueberries and got to take them home as their party favor. I got plates & napkins from the $ store, made cupcakes, bought juice boxes & bottled water, a craft (princess wands & little pirates) and we spent @ $65. The only reason we spent that much is because we bought 3 raspberry plants from the farm while we were there.

So, yeah, do these things:
-joint party
- homemade cupcakes or cake, small, inexpensive snacky food
-have a craft that they make there be their favor. You can almost always fnd a 40-50% off Q for Joanns, AC Moore, etc and buy a craft kit for a couple bucks.
-$ store for paper goods

[Smokering]

What we did last year for DD, when she turned one, was to invite friends and family to a potluck in the public gardens. We brought cake and some food, they brought more food, we ate, the kids played. It was great, and no cleanup! She turns two in a week or so and we're planning on doing the same again.

[celestialdreamer]

Originally Posted by LizzyQ

Here is what we do for birthdays:

Cake is homemade (cupcakes actually)
Have it at the park: free and has a play area!
Buy party supplies at the $1 store. I spend about $10 here and reuse leftovers for camping and picnics.
Easy appetizers: chips and dip, fruit and veggies
Party Favors: Balloons from the decoration- kids love balloons!

Altogether, we spend about $25-30 total.

This is usually what we do, except we usually just have ours at home, but many of our friends use parks or the YMCA. I actually thought the Y was overpriced personally, but apparently after reading this thread I'm realizing I'm more frugal than I thought for birthdays

[proudmamanow]

I know $250 sounds like a lot and it actually is a pretty high estimate (it's probably more like $150).
These are big deals for us, the kids parties. We typically have around 20-25 guests including parents, sibs, kids etc. We like to serve lots of yummy food, usually designed around a specific theme (we do big Hallowe'en parties too). We make our own cakes & cupcakes, and often make a good portion of the loot bag items ourselves. We do our own crafts or games. We sometimes make 2 cakes to try to accommodate our many friends with allergies. Also, dd1 and I both really love party planning, and will often go shopping at party stores or dollar stores 2-3 X before each party. While I do limit the amount spent, it can still get quite high...

But anyway, I am taking notes of all the great ideas here, and I can definitely see how we can bring our costs down and still have a lot of creative fun. We are generally very into simple living....we just really, really love kids parties