I have a real treat for you all today. Miranda from Wishlist4kids has stopped by to give us all a few budget friendly party planning tips. Yay! I know with master quinton’s birthday sneaking up on me real quick I could use all the advice I can get. Take it away Miranda!
A lot of parents get the party planning blues when they start adding up all the costs associated with throwing a birthday party. From paying for a venue and food, to decor and activities, kid’s birthday parties can get quite expensive. There are several ways you can cut costs and still pull off a great bash for your child. Today, I want to share three tips I’ve used in the past to plan budget-friendly parties.
Location, Location, Location
Children entertainment and party facilities are popping up everywhere, but they don’t always offer the most budget-friendly birthday party packages. Save some money by hosting your child’s party at your home or their grandparent’s home. If you’re planning an outdoor party, you can use your backyard, or get a permit to use an area of a local park. If you’re planning a party during the winter, or prefer an indoor locations, check with your family’s place of worship to see if they rent areas of their facility members. Local town halls and social clubs also let community members rent their facilities. Not only are these facilities affordable, but they can accommodate small to medium-size parties.
You’ve Got Email!
Birthday party invitations tell your guests where to be and when to be there. Save money and time by ditching the stamps, envelopes and printed invitations. There are several online invitation services you can use to send invites and track RSVPs for your child’s birthday party. Ping, Evite and Paperless Post are popular options, but many parents even use social media sites, such as Facebook, to send invitations. These online invitation services let you pick event appropriate designs to match your child’s birthday theme. Some services even allow you to upload your own invitation designs.
Skip the Goody Bags
There’s an ongoing discussion between parents about whether we should give out goody bags, or skip them. Do kids really need more sugary treats after they’ve had ice cream, cake and party treats? Probably not. How many goody bags, filled with trinkets, actually make it from the birthday party to home? Not many. Reduce your party costs by skipping goody bags, or by simplifying. If you want to send each kid home with a “thank you,” grab some cool stickers from the Dollar Store or Target’s dollar bins. As each guest leaves the party, have your child hand out stickers and say, “thank you.” You could also distribute bubbles, a box of animal crackers or trail mix to each child.