Any parent knows that a birthday party can quickly rack up a big bill, and although it comes at the same time every year, it can still be a struggle. Even more so when your kids are asking for a certain theme or it’s a special birthday such as a 10th birthday or 16th.
We all want our children to have a wonderful birthday, but what can you do if you don’t have enough money? There is this post is jam-packed with budget-friendly birthday party ideas for kids, and it includes information on:
Birthday celebrations for children can be costly. According to Vouchercloud, UK parents spend an average of £320.50 on a child’s birthday party, and two out of every three kids aged 4-10 have a party every year. Separate Nationwide research indicated that 15% of parents used a credit card and another 5% utilized their overdraft facility to pay for the party. You don’t have to be one of the 1 in 5 parents who go into debt to fund their child’s party because there are plenty of methods to save money while still ensuring your child has a good time. In this post, we will look at every area of your child’s party budget, from the location to the decorations.
Planning Is Important
Although it may appear extravagant, preparation for your child’s birthday party should begin at least three months in advance. You may spread the costs over several months this way, and you’re less likely to make last-minute impulse purchases that you’ll later regret. It will also save you time, especially if you are planning a DIY-style party and handling most of the preparations yourself. You can also look into splitting the costs of your child’s party with a relative’s child or one of their classmates if you plan ahead of time. There is also nothing wrong with starting your planning a year in advance. Save the napkins and plates from the party have just thrown and reuse things like table covers and party decorations.
Create Your Budget And Create Your Plan
Before you take this step, make sure it’s with a parent you get along with and who you know will do their part. One of the first tasks you should do during the planning stages is creating and sticking to a budget. You should budget for every component of the party, from the location to the food and cake. If you include a slight buffer it will account for anything you may run over with. You should also gather an idea of what gifts you are going to get, for example, if you are considering buying a games console or another large gift you may need to cut back in other areas to be able to afford them. You can also see more gift ideas here.
Where You Will Hold The Party
Despite the disruption and cleanup, the cheapest place to throw your child’s birthday party is at home. If it’s in the summer, you can also use the garden space or even go to a nearby park or playground for a portion of the party. However, you should have a backup plan in case the weather fails you. If you only require a village hall for a few hours, they can also be cheaply priced. Weekends, half-terms, and bank holidays, on the other hand, tend to be heavily booked months in advance. Remember if you are looking to cut costs to the max, then using your home or garden are most definitely the cheapest option.
Guest List And Invitations
Is it really necessary to invite everyone to your child’s class? This can increase your per-person costs, so have your child make a list of their closest buddies. Although pound stores provide inexpensive invitations, you may prefer to make your own and include your children. Alternatively, you may decide that paper invitations are a waste of money and instead contact parents via social media or send e-invites.
Aside from stating the duration, date, and location of the party on the invitation, it may be a good idea to state that siblings are not invited. Nothing is worse than organizing a party for 10 and then being surprised by 20 people and insufficient food.
Cheaper Party Decorations
You don’t need to go crazy with party decorations for your youngster. All you need are some balloons, streamers, and bunting. If you’re crafty, you might personalize the bunting to represent your child’s interests. Remember there is nothing wrong with just having a few banners and balloons, there is no need to go over the top and create balloon arches or make sure everything sticks to one theme.
Children’s Catering And The Birthday Cake
If you schedule the party for the afternoon (2-5 pm), you won’t have to worry about serving the main course. Because children are frequently more concerned with playing at a party than with the food, simple finger foods such as pizza, crisps, sandwiches, and mini-sausage rolls are all that are required. You can prepare all of this yourself at a fraction of the costs of hiring someone to do it for you too. If you have any friends or family that are willing to help make sure you give them a call.
If you are unsure about baking your child’s birthday cake, you might buy a cheap store-bought cake, such as a Victoria sponge, and then decorate it yourself. This is by no means cheating either. If you aren’t a baker, then you are probably saving yourself wasted money if people didn’t like or eat the one you are attempting to make.
Fun Party Activities
You don’t need to employ a clown or magician to make sure the kids have a nice time at the party. However, it is critical that the activities or games that the children participate in at the party be age-appropriate. Younger children may enjoy being given crayons to adorn simple paper tablecloths, whilst older children may choose something more difficult, such as decorating a plain white cup. This might also serve as part of their goodie bag, saving you even more money.
Sports day games like egg and spoon or three-legged races are popular outdoor activities in gardens or parks, while scavenger or pirate hunts (complete with maps) are also popular as long as they are age-appropriate. Traditional party games such as pass the parcel or music statues are also simple to create, affordable, and will keep children entertained for hours. If you’re organizing any games, make sure to include consolation rewards for children who don’t win anything.
Lowering The Price Of Goodie Bags
Making your goodie bags is far less expensive than buying them ready-made. Pound stores can be a terrific place to get cheap toys, stationery, and other small gifts. Purchase large bags of candy and place them in their goodie bags. Another wonderful suggestion is to acquire a bunch of books and divide them among the children.
Conclusion Birthday Celebrations On A Budget
Using the suggestions we’ve provided will help you save money on your child’s birthday celebration. Don’t let your children’s “pester power” or the expectations of other parents put you in debt just to celebrate a birthday. All children require is some fun with their buddies and something to eat and drink. If you’ve done that, they’ll enjoy the party, and most significantly, so will your child.
Have you planned any children’s parties on a budget or seen any other ideas? It would be great to hear about them in the comments below.
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