The devil’s in the details
I thought as a follow-up to my last post about giving good parties, that I would pass on a few more tips. With such a tough economy, parents are looking for less expensive ways to celebrate. With a little planning and imagination you can throw a memorable bash without the second mortage taken out. Here are five tips to get you started:
Have a budget and stick to it
Decide how much you can afford to spend. Open up a spreadsheet program and make a list of everything that you’ll need and how much you want to spend. Keep a running tally as you purchase items. I do this with my Excel program.
Trim the fat
We have alot of friends and it is hard to trim our guest list down, but keeping the numbers small is the best way to keep cost low. If you do have a large guest list, look into options like your YMCA, local parks and community centers. Our local community center is $58/day, yours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., full kitchen, tables, chairs and is right next to a great park. Does your friend have a great yard or a basement you could use? It never hurts to ask.
Save on party supplies
Character party supplies are an arm and a leg. Set the tone with a character item, like the plates, and use solid color napkins and cups. Raid the clearance sections of major stores like Target and Party City, you’ll be surprised what you can find.
Are you crafty? Make the invitations and party decorations yourself. Just remember that your time is also part of your budget. Don’t be staying up for days making elaborate origami cranes to hang, and are too exhausted to enjoy yourself.
Keep an eye out after holidays, that when you can really score on items. Red stuff going on sale after Christmas? Hang onto it for a Valentine’s Day party.
To give or not to give, that is the goody bag
Once again, the clearance section is your friend. I’m always scooping up packs of crayons, candy, notebooks and pencils, spending next to nothing on them. They make great stuffers. Keep it pratical. I hate the bag filled with useless toys that I have to eventually clean out of all the toy bins.
One year, I had a ton of blank CD’s (you know, the 50-pack that you only used 3) so I burned our favorite dance music onto it and added a customized label. I still get comments that the kids listened to it over and over again.
Make a craft that will double as an activity and the favor.
Or just don’t give out one. It’s ok. You’ve just fed and entertained them, the experience should be enough, right?
Forgo the party
You can still celebrate the special day without having a blowout. Let the birthday child pick out their favorite activities (within reason of course) and do as many of them as possible.
Start a tradition. My kids love their birthday breakfast – cereal with M&Ms. Don’t ask.
Check out my post The Best Things In Life Are Free.