Thrifty birthday parties can be just as much fun as expensive events.
Birthday party ideas can be as extravagant or as affordable as you choose. Don't feel locked out of a great birthday party just because you're a mom on a budget. Finding ways to save on everything can be rewarding, as well as thrifty. Enjoy saving money and throwing a memorable birthday party for your child with invitations, decorations, entertainment and a tasty cake that won't break your bank account. Does this Spark an idea?
Invitations
Create designer invitations with a computer program.
Virtual birthday party invitations are more creative than paper invitations. Use a computer software program to design your own invites. Send them by email. If you don't feel comfortable designing your own invitations, send free electronic invitations (see Resources). Websites often offer a variety of free birthday invitations. Request a reply by a specific date. Prepare your shopping list from the list of responses. Verify in advance that everyone on your list uses email. Send e-invitations to parents if the guests are young children or need an adult's permission.
Decorations
Use such traditional and thrifty decorations as balloons and streamers.
Buy decorations at a dollar or discount store. Decorate your child's birthday party with colorful balloons, bright streamers and an expandable "Happy Birthday" sign. Use unbreakable dishes you already own. Place birthday party favors--such as stickers, noise makers and party hats--at each child's place.
Entertainment
Devise games for children to play at a birthday party.
Keeping the kids amused will rank high on your list. If you live near a park with playground equipment, take the kids there for a birthday party "field trip." Play such games as kickball, Red Rover or hide and seek. Hold short relay races or three-legged races. Put a spin on traditional games. Turn "Duck, Duck, Goose" into "Spider-Man, Spider-Man, Green Goblin" for a boy and "princess, princess, knight" for a girl. Bring a basket with cookies and juice boxes for snacks. Bring toys from a dollar store for prizes. Ask a friend to help you supervise. When you arrive back home, play a game with a piñata.
Birthday Cake
Make a delicious and affordable birthday cake.
Skip the expensive bakery and make the cake yourself. Buy a package mix or make the cake from scratch. Decorate the cake with a theme from your child's favorite movie or game. If your daughter, for example, is a Hannah Montana fan, decorate her cake with edible Hannah Montana cake images. Such images cost less than $10, as of March 2010.
Tags: birthday party, birthday party, your child, cake with, Hannah Montana, make cake