Plan Your Child’s Birthday Party on a Budget

We all want to give our children the world, but unfortunately our wallets don’t always follow the plan. These days, a few parents are throwing exorbitant amounts of money into day-long birthday parties for their kids, and it can set an unrealistic expectation for the majority of parents who can’t shell out big bucks for a 5^th birthday party. If your little one has a special birthday coming up, keep these budget-saving tips in mind and plan an event that they will love and always remember.

Set the Budget

Before getting started, sit down and determine how much you’re willing and able to spend on the birthday shindig. Without a number to stick to, it’s easy to let your budget get away from you and find yourself shelling out a lot more than you ever intended—and more than your wallet can realistically handle. Write out exactly what you’ll need to spend money on, and discuss with your child their list of “non-negotiables”—to a point. If the little guy really wants a bounce house in the backyard, it may be that you forgo spending more on décor and food. If the little girl is looking forward to a cake fit for a princess, you’ll need to make cuts elsewhere. Use Mint online

to help you plan the budget and stick to it throughout the entirety of the party planning process.

When it Comes to Food

Little ones are picky eaters for the most part, but they’re also easily appeased with comfort foods. Instead of shelling out a lot of money for catering from a specific restaurant, stick to kid-loved classics like pizza or macaroni and cheese. Save even more by preparing the food yourself at home. If you’ll be inviting a lot of family and friends-like-family to the shindig, you can also consider making the affair a potluck. Your loved ones will have no problem contributing a fun side to celebrate the little tyke or princess. If you want a healthier option that won’t break the bank, order some chocolate covered berries or make banana ice cream, in which you blend frozen bits of banana into smooth ice cream-like consistency.

It’s a Numbers Game

If you want to save money, invite fewer guests. While you may want to share in the joy of your child’s special day with your friends, family, and beloved coworkers, you’ll find your wallet feeling the burn. The same goes for your child’s group of friends. It may sound fair and fun in theory to invite the entire class, but those numbers might not be realistic depending on your party plans. Never feel an obligation to extend the invite to everyone; if your child is close to a select few in their class, only invite those children. You might give your child an option: if he or she wants to invite the entire class, then the party has to be a more casual affair in the backyard; if it’s just a few of his or her best friends, you might be able to take them to the roller skating rink like they wanted.

Skip the Sleepovers

One thing to tick off your list when planning the party is making the occasion a sleepover affair. Sleepovers may sound great in theory, but there are hidden costs that come along with this style of party you might not be ready for. You’ll spend money for the daytime events and food, and then add on to that the responsibility of the next day’s breakfast, nighttime entertainment, and more.

Be Careful with DIY Decorations

Pinterest is rife with DIY projects for birthday parties, and it can be tempting to get crafty and try your hand at these wonderful creations. In this case, however, doing it yourself can be harder on your budget. Keep the decorations simple; when your child looks back, they’ll remember their friends and laughter, not the papier-mâché cakes you made for all of the tables. Use a company like Oriental Trading Company to find all the party supplies you need at an inexpensive cost.

You don’t need to spend lavish amounts of money for your child to have a birthday party to remember. Keep these tips in mind as you plan your little one’s upcoming shindig and give them beautiful memories without completely blowing through your budget.