Throwing a birthday party can be a fun and memorable experience for both the birthday person and their party guests. However, the expenses of throwing a party can add up if you're not careful. If you're on a budget but still want to throw a great party, here are some useful tips that have helped me plan a budget-friendly birthday party.
Set a budget and stick to it
The first step to throwing a budget-friendly birthday party is to set a realistic budget and make sure that you stick to it. Determine how much money you are going to allow yourself to spend on the party, and then make a list of items you will need to purchase or pay for. Some of these items could include decorations, food and drinks, party favors, location fee, and entertainment, if you choose to offer. Once you have a list of all the items you will need for the party, you can start looking for deals and discounts to help you stay within your budget.
Keep your guest list small & intentional
We have learned that one way to save money while planning a birthday party is to invite only a few people. For us, that’s just immediate family – parents, siblings, and nieces/nephews. While it can be tempting to invite all your close friends and family, a smaller guest list will typically mean less money spent on food, drinks, and party favors. If you do have a larger group of people that you want to invite, consider asking your party guests to bring a side dish to share. This way, you won't have to spend as much money on food and can still enjoy a celebration with your loved ones.
Choose a free or low-cost location
The location of your party can also have a big impact on your budget. If you have a small guest list, like we typically do, consider hosting the party at your home or at a family or friend's house. This will save you the cost of having to rent a venue. If you are having a larger party and will need to rent a venue, look for one that offers discounts or special rates for parties or events. Another option to consider for the party location, would be your local park. This also would provide entertainment for the little ones that may be attending your celebration.
Get creative with decorations
Decorations can add a fun touch to any party, however they can also be expensive if you're not careful. To save money on decorations, try getting creative with items you may already have at home – or borrow decorations from a family or friend. Some inexpensive decoration suggestions would be streamers or balloons to add some color and fun to your party. If you’re a crafty person, you could also try making your own decorations. This was something that I took advantage of when I would decorate for my kids parties – I would make my own photo drop backgrounds, cake toppers, table décor, etc. out of craft paper and utilizing my Cricut machine!
Choose a simple menu
With the cost of food and drinks on the rise, this can be a major expense in your budget, but there are ways to keep costs down. Consider serving simple and affordable options, such as sandwiches, chips, and dips, rather than more expensive items like fancy appetizers or a full meal. You could consider the timing of your party – for instance, if you have the party time from 2:00-4:00, you could just serve snacks which can be less expensive than providing a full meal. When it comes to drinks, consider serving water, soda, and juice, rather than alcohol, which can be a budget buster. You could also let guests know that you will be providing water and juice and if they prefer anything specific to bring their own -- or ask your guests to bring their own drinks all together. If you’re having a birthday cake for the party, consider making the cake yourself vs ordering a professionally made cake! Not only will this help save money, but it will also allow you to make memories with your kids by asking them to help!
Keep the entertainment simple
Entertainment can be a great way to keep guests entertained at a birthday party, but it can also be a major expense to factor into your budget. To save money on entertainment, consider keeping it simple. For example, you could play your own music in the background from your phone or TV, set out some toys or puzzles for the kids, play cards, or have some basic board games available to your guests. Sometimes just spending time with family and friends is enough entertainment though!
Don't feel obligated to give out party favors
While party favors can be a nice touch for your guests, these items can add up quickly. We typically tend to skip the party favors. However, if you would like to have them at your party and you’re on a budget, consider finding some affordable alternatives. Some suggestions would be looking into ordering from Oriental Trading or even making your own party favors! This could be a heartfelt note to your guests or small snack favor, like a bag of cookies.
Plan ahead and shop around
Planning ahead is a great way to save money on your birthday party, this will give you plenty of time to shop around! If you have time, start looking for deals and discounts on the items you need well in advance. This will give you more time to compare prices and find the best deals. For example, you may find that there is pop on sale one week at Walmart, meat is on sale one week at Kroger, or Oriental Trading is having free shipping plus an additional discount on decorations and favors – those opportunities would be a great time to stock up! Giving yourself that extra planning time will allow you to take advantage of those deals vs having to buy all at once. Don’t forget to utilize coupons or cash back apps like iBotta, Rakuten, or Fetch while doing your shopping too!
Ask for help
Throwing a party can be a lot of work, don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you have friends or family members who are willing to pitch in with the planning or set up of the party, take them up on their offer. Not only will this help ease the stress of your workload, but it can also help you save money on things like food and decorations if they are willing to help.
Don't be afraid to get creative
Finally, get creative and think outside the box when it comes to your birthday party. There are so many ways to celebrate on a budget, and sometimes the most memorable parties are the ones that are the most unique. Whether it's a backyard barbecue, a picnic in the park, or a movie night at home, there are plenty of budget-friendly options for a fun and memorable birthday celebration.
Just remember, throwing a budget-friendly birthday party is totally possible with a little planning and creativity. By utilizing some of these tips and tricks shared, you can have a great party without breaking the bank. Don't be afraid to ask for help or get creative; and most importantly, have fun and enjoy your special day!
