It seems like birthday parties for kids have gotten out of control these days. Just search Pinterest, and you’ll find millions of ideas for lavish parties where everything from the napkins and cake to the games align with a particular kid theme.
So what if you want to give kids great birthday party memories — without dipping into your 401(k) to foot the bill?
Actually, pleasing kids isn’t all that difficult. They’re just ready for cake, presents and time with friends. So if you’re looking for some ways to cut birthday party costs without looking like Scrooge, here are a few tips to follow:
1. Set reasonable expectations.
To start, talk with your kid. The two-and-up crowd is likely to have at least some ideas for the birthday party. The littlest ones might request a favorite treat or cake flavor, or even ask about a particular theme. Conversations with older kids can be tougher, especially if they’ve participated in friends’ over-the-top parties.
It’s OK, though, to be honest with your older kids and give choices. For instance, you may not be able to afford to take the entire fifth grade class laser tagging. So give the option of a bigger, more low-key party in the backyard or a trip to play laser tag with one or two best friends.
While you’re at it, set your expectations around a reasonable goal. It’s easy to let yourself get inundated with ideas — especially if you spend too much time on mommy blogs and Pinterest. But you have limited funds, time and sanity. Decide how much time and money you’re willing to put into a one-time event, and stick with it.
2. Set a budget.
Part two of setting reasonable expectations is setting a budget (which is another thing you can use Pinterest for). How much should you spend on your child’s birthday party? It all depends on your financial means and other factors. In short, it’s completely up to you.
Again, though, you may want to bring your child in on this discussion. You don’t necessarily need to give your second grader spending specifics. But you can ask questions like: “What’s the most important part of your birthday party?”
If it’s having a decorative cake, then plan to spend more on that piece of the party. If your daughter says she wants to spend time with as many friends as possible, you’ll need to spend more on a bigger venue.
You can also give older kids the option of having a bigger, more expensive party versus bigger, more expensive birthday gifts. If you look at the “birthday budget” as a whole — including both the party and any gifts you’ll buy the guest of honor — you can give yourself a little more flexibility.
3. Shrink the guest list.
Obviously, one of the best ways to reduce the cost of a kid’s birthday party is to keep the guest list small. This can be tough, especially during the school year. You don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but you also may not be able to afford to feed the entire class of 25-plus kids.
Some parents use a rule of thumb that their kids can invite as many friends as they are old. That might be a good way to begin, but your guest list should really depend on your kid. Some children are naturally drawn to just one or two very close friends. In this case, don’t feel obligated to extend the birthday invite to a secondary circle of cordial acquaintances. Just stick with your kid’s besties.
Other kids, on the other hand, have loads of friends. You may need to negotiate, especially with your older child, about how many kids he or she can invite. Again, you can give some options. Either your son can invite five really good friends to the city pool, or he can have a bigger backyard bash at your home.
4. Compare venue costs.
For most parties, the venue can easily be the most expensive part of the bill — especially if you’re booking a party at a local entertainment center or bowling alley.
You can save a ton by choosing a less expensive venue. Some ideas include your home or the home of a relative or friend, a library, community center or local park. Some of these options may include a small fee, but it’s going to be much lower than renting a gym at the local YMCA or paying for a laser tag party.
5. DIY it.
Do as much for the party as possible yourself. Here are a few ideas:
— Invitations. Create invitations on your home computer. You can find great themed invitation designs on Etsy for a few bucks, which you can then print on your computer.
— Food. Instead of catering or ordering pizzas, make your own food. For older kids, a make-it-yourself meal can be a fun part of the party. Whip up an easy pizza crust out of flour, salt and yeast, and then let the kids make their own mini pizzas. Or opt for an easy meal like hot dogs or, for a winter birthday party, soup.
— Decorations. Don’t go overboard here. A few well-chosen decorations can make the theme of a party really stand out. Pinterest is a great place to go for ideas — as long as you don’t get carried away! Or check out these decoration ideas for under $5.
— Cake. Baking the cake is another easy way to save money. Not a great cook? Consider making cupcakes from a mix instead. The kids won’t care, and you won’t have to shell out for a professional baker. Another option: Bake or buy a plain cake, and let the kids decorate it with frosting and sprinkles themselves.
6. Keep it short and sweet.
Sleepovers are great, especially as kids get older. But hosting a sleepover for 10 kids is a big, expensive proposition. Suddenly you’re not only planning a meal and cake, but also snacks and breakfast. Plus, you’re then entertaining all those kids for more than 12 hours.
If you really want to cut back on birthday party spending, make your kids’ parties a maximum of four to five hours. Let sleepovers be something your kids do with one or two friends on a regular basis, but cut birthday parties shorter — for the sake of both your sanity and your wallet.
As you can see, the key ingredient to a successful, affordable birthday party is simply having the right expectations. Kids don’t really need — or necessarily even want — a Pinterest-perfect, themed birthday party with a professional clown and a five-tier cake. They just want to get together with their friends and family, gobble down some sugar, open presents and have a great time.
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5 Tips for a Cheap Kid’s Birthday Party originally appeared on usnews.com
