Does your jaw drop when you see how much some families spend on parties? You’re not alone.
Although some people spend an absolute fortune on cake, balloons, party favours and entertainment, there are those who know that such action is not always required. There are ways to throw a birthday party on a budget – no matter how tight – and here are our top ten.
1. Choose the location carefully
Don’t spend a fortune on the location of the birthday party. Instead, host it at your own house or if the weather is nice then head outside to a local park. Not only are these locations free to use but they ensure you have everything you need to hand.
2. Send digital invites
Instead of spending time and money handwriting and delivering invitations, create an event on social media sites such as Facebook or send digital invites. No postage costs, no fuss.
3. Minimise the guest list
The quickest and easiest way to ensure a birthday party doesn’t break the bank is to reduce the guest list. Whether the part is for a child or an adult, keeping the numbers down low will help you cut overheads and reduce the amount of stress you experience when trying to cater to so many mouths!
4. Scrimp on the cake
We’ve all seen those fancy cakes in our local bakery that look great but give us heart failure when we see the price. Instead blowing a huge chunk of your budget on this, bake your own instead?
Whether you embrace your inner Mary Berry with a beautiful iced creation or keep it nice and simple with a tasty vanilla sponge is up to you. You can even opt for fairy cakes or small bite-sized treats if you want something that won’t go to waste.
5. Don’t worry about gifts for the guests
Some people might think you’re selfish for not providing party bags or gifts for the guests but think about it.
You’ve provided the food, drink , and entertainment so you’ve really got nothing to worry about. If you do want to give party favors then stick with something cheap and cheerful.
For a kid’s birthday party a cheap multi-pack of sweets distributed evenly will do the trick while for adults wine glass charms or some sugared almonds are bound to be a hit. You could even make your own gifts if you’re creatively inclined.
6. Make the decorations
Forgot balloons, banners , and streamers bought from a shop. Make your own decorations for kids’ parties – they can get involved too – and keep it simple and elegant for adults with nothing more than a little glitter and confetti and some beautiful flowers as a centerpiece.
7. Keep the games traditional
Whether you’re planning a party for kids or adults, you’ll need some entertainment to help pass the time. Don’t hire expensive entertainers when you could do this yourself though – stick with traditional games like musical chairs for the kids and charades for the adults and have a ball without spending a penny.
8. Be cash savvy with food
You’re going to have to give the guests a bit of grub at a party but this doesn’t have to be expensive. Stick with simple finger foods that reduce wastage and make sure you consider any special dietary requirements of your guests and ensure you have sufficient food which they can eat.
9. Make it a sleepover
If your guests are concerned about the cost of travel but you don’t want your party to end prematurely then why not make it a sleepover? This works just as well for kids as it does for adults and you won’t spend a fortune on an expensive night on the town or down the local arcade!
10. Have a joint party
If your child has a similar birthday to one of his friends or you share your birthday with someone else then why not double up and have a joint birthday? It’s an easy way to cut your expenditure in half and guarantees that there’ll be a good crowd of people on the day!
Once you’ve got the party sorted, all you need to do is choose a gift and card.
Birthday flowers, and special treats are all popular choices so make sure you browse all your options before making a decision. After all, now that you’ve saved on the party you might be able to splash out a little more on the present!
1 Comment
Thank you for sharing some wonderful ways you can save on throwing a birthday party! I've seen a lot of birthdays lately that just give out small dessert treats or ice cream instead of cake, and the kids are just as happy.