Schedule The Party Between Mealtimes
One of the best ways to save money on food is to keep your childs party between mealtimes. Hosting a party between breakfast and lunch or between lunch and dinner will allow you to only provide cake or dessert. It relieves you of any pressure to provide full meals, which can be a costly expense for parties with many guests. By scheduling the party around 10 a.m. or 2-3 p.m., you only need to provide party attendees with snacks and celebratory food like cake.
Tea & Gardening Party
Combine your passion for gardening with a tea party for one of the classiest outdoor party ideas for adults. We have all the tips you need for the tea party part.
For the gardening part, invite friends who are as passionate about growing things as you are. Ask each guest to bring different seeds .
Grab some little seed starter pots and some soil, then let everyone put together their own ultimate garden to take home.
For food, serve tea party fare like cucumber sandwiches and, of course, tea.
Salads are also perfect for a gardening party, especially if you use local fruits and veggies. Bonus points if they come from your own garden. Try our Tomato & Cucumber summer salad with orange juice dressing!
Now that you have some fun themes to try, lets talk party venues!
How To Host A Kids Birthday Party For Less Than $100
But its simple to throw a childs party on your own without spending a small fortune. A party your child and guests will love can be easily pulled together for under $100 how much under depends on your specific needs.
If youre looking for cheap birthday party ideas, here are ways to save on key birthday party must-haves.
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Cheap Birthday Present Ideas
Of course, gifts are where birthdays can get pricey. If youve previously spent a chunk on gifts, you might think about telling the birthday person that youre doing things differently this time.
If you dont have much to spend on a birthday gift, dont skimp on the card. You can create a homemade card for free. Write a long heartfelt note in the birthday card. Kind words mean so much and most people dont take the time to write a great note.
Gifts dont have to break the bank! Ive already written a list of gifts that are $15 and under, so be sure to check that out.
Set The Party Date And Time
The biggest challenge when it comes to picking a date for your party- is working around the sports and activities that kids enjoy in your town. You obviously don’t want to plan a 2 pm party if most of the kids are at soccer or dance class at that time.
That being said- you’ll never find a date and time that works for everyone!
I suggest you consult with the Moms of 1 or 2 of your child’s best friends to make sure that you are selecting a timeframe that works for them, and then set your plans.
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Birthday Party Activities And Entertainment
In addition to cheap birthday cake ideas, youll have to think of inexpensive party activities as well. If youre hosting the party in your home, affordable birthday party games can be fun.
Whether youre at a party venue, the local park, or at your own home, find cheap but fun activities for guests to do indoors or out. You could:
- Go on a scavenger hunt
- Play outdoor games like relay races, capture the flag, or freeze tag
- Host a dance party
- Play video or board games
- Have a pool party
- Enjoy an at-home spa day
- Set up a crafting station
- Have a wine or bourbon tasting
Base party activities on what your guest of honor enjoys most, since it is their special day, after all. For example, if they love to dance, plan cheap fun games that revolve around music. If your best friend is more artistic, create an affordable birthday event based around an arts and crafts activity like painting pottery or making bracelets out of glass beads.
Skip The Traditional Party
Before you shoot the messenger, let us explain. If your child is young enough that they dont really know that full-fledged birthday parties are a thing, you might want to take advantage of that.
In other words, you dont need to go all out on a 30-guest, smash-cake, Baby in Onederland shindig for your one-year-old. As your kiddo gets older, theyre going to come to expect a birthday party every year, so why burn yourself out before your sweetie can even talk?
That doesnt mean you cant celebrate, though! Take your little unsuspecting tyke to a petting zoo, park, dairy farm, ice cream parlor or somewhere you can have a fun outing without having to bust your birthday budget. That kind of thing might not be for everybody, but theres no denying its a good idea if you want to pull off a birthday party on a budget.
I was going to do a big party when my daughter turned one, and my husband asked me, Is this party for her or you? It brought me back down to earth, and we had a simple BBQ with family. It was perfect, because we could all enjoy with no pressure. Traci L.
Its totally doable to throw a memorable birthday party on a budget without feeling like youve become a cheapskate. Still, sometimes, its just a little too easy to slip up and go over budget. So, before you start baking that cake or cutting out your own confetti pieces, make sure you have your birthday party budget in place with our free app, EveryDollar!
About the author
Ramsey Solutions
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Ice Skating Or Sledding
In a cold weather climate, ice skating and sledding can be the perfect birthday party activities. Just add hot cocoa!
Happy birthday to your 8 year old! We talked to parents, scoured the internet, and used our own experience to curate this epic list of the best party games.
We hope you loved these ideas and that your childs party is a lot of fun. Heres wishing them a very special day.
Make Your Home Your Party Venue
There is this latest trend of celebrating kids birthday parties at various readily available outdoor locations but the major factor plays here is budgets.
Such places come at a rental scheme along with the catering that you will require to hire. In order to save yourself from flowing money into these over the top celebration, you can plan a small gathering at home and try these simple home decoration for your low budget birthday party.
You can either serve some home cooked meal or you can order some inexpensive fast food.
- You can also plan out these birthday party themes for kids.
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Free Or Cheap Birthday Decorations
Decorations can be minimal but impactful and easy on the eyes as well as the wallet! Consider one of the following great ideas to decorate your party:
- Using cheap or free items around your house as cheap party decorations. For example, if you have an old basket sitting around, fill it with toys and party supplies like paper plates to make cheap birthday decorations!
- Use party supplies from the Dollar Store like streamers, table cloths, balloons, garlands, etc., to brighten up your party location.
- Fill old vases with fake flowers or colorful rocks and set them on tables around the room. Or, pick up cost-effective flowers at Aldis to decorate tables.
- Ask close friends and family for their old, unused supplies.
- If you have a friend who loves crafts, ask her to teach your guests how to make cheap decorations you can use around the party venue this is especially fun if your guest of honor is into art!
- Check local buy-sell-trade Facebook groups for recycled party supplies that you can grab during a porch pick up for little to no cost.
If none of these inexpensive birthday party ideas work for you, dont forget to use your imagination and that less is always more. You dont have to go over the top with decorating. Just using color-coordinated plates, napkins, and utensils from the Dollar Store can pull a room together and give the party a warm and fun feeling.
Cheap Birthday Party Ideas For Your Next Bash
Throwing a rockin’ birthday bash doesn’t have to break the bank! Use these cheap birthday party ideas to make your celebration fun for you AND your bank account!
Birthday parties can be such a BIG DEAL! Have you ever seen that show My Super Sweet 16!? Yeah parties can cost a fortune , if you let them. Between food, venues, favors, entertainment and all the other little costs that go into throwing a birthday partylet’s just say things can get out of hand quick!
*Note: When you click the links in this post, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Lucky for you, that’s just really not how we roll! We can’t let a party keep us from staying on budget! We’ve got financial goals up in here!!
Keep reading and we’ll show you how to reign it in and throw an awesome soiree for less with these cheap birthday party ideas! You won’t be missing anythingincluding the money in your wallet!
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Places That Give You Free Stuff On Your Birthday
- Starbucks offers a free beverage or food item.
- Most chain restaurants offer some free menu item.
- Denny’s has a free grand slam breakfast.
- Many bars will pour you a free shot.
- Ben & Jerry’s, Baskin-Robbins, and Cold Stone all offer free scoops of ice cream.
- Chains that specialize in smoothies, doughnuts, bagels, and pretzels often have free birthday items.
But Err On The Side Of Inclusion
If your child is in grade school, and your guest list includes all but 1-2 of the boys in his class, I suggest you invite them as well.
If your child has classmates with special needs- please dont exclude them from your guest list because you are worried that you wont know how to handle this child as a guest, or you just assume that a child on the autism spectrum or who is disabled wouldnt want to come to your party.
Err on the side of inclusion. You can always hop on a call with that childs Mom and have her help you understand whether or not the party you have planned will work for her child.
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Teen Boy Birthday Parties
The most important thing to remember when throwing a teen boy a birthday party is that underneath all that height and hair is the same little boy you know and love. Choose an activity that they love and plan a fun party around that! Most boys I know are not extravagant and over the top when it comes to parties. This makes it easier to come up with cheap birthday ideas for your teenager. Here are a few ideas:
- Night Games Party: Plan a few night party games including Capture the Flag and Fugitive. Have the boys bring their own flashlights or buy a set of inexpensive glow in the dark sticks to hand out.
- Sports Party: If their birthday is around a big sporting event, have your sons buddies come over to watch the game together. Provide LOTS of food and drinks and theyll be thrilled.
- Scary Movie Party: If your teen boy likes to be scared, pick an appropriately scary teen boy movie for a party. Bonus points if the party falls on Friday the 13th.
- Olympics: You could make the events true to Olympic events OR do a silly version. Make medals out of ribbon and peanut butter cups for the big award ceremony. You could do this party at a park or a swimming pool.
Inexpensive Birthday Ideas For Him Or Her
Its time to throw a birthday party that your child will never forget. However, you dont want your wallet to suffer long after the presents are unwrapped and dishes are done. Check out these 25 cheap birthday party ideas, and bookmark several for your childs future birthday celebrations.
You might also be interested in my post all about things you can get free on your birthday! And if you dont necessarily need to have a themed birthday party, here are 10 easy birthday party ideas that will cost less than $50!
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How To Make A Bakery Cake From A Box Cake Mix
This show-stopping cake that tastes amazing just dont tell any of your guests how you pulled it off!
If youre not feeling like letting your inner baker loose, thats ok too. Look into supermarkets or a grocery store that sell cheap pre-made birthday cakes. Youll pay much less than going to a specialty bakery.
Cheap Birthday Party Ideas Five Cheap And Cheerful Tips
There are lots of cheap birthday party ideas that can be done to keep costs under control and still create fun. So lets get started.
Timing Take into consideration the time of day you throw your party. The timing of a kids birthday party will definitely effect the budget. If you have your party near lunch or dinner you are required to provide a meal. Food can be an important but costly element to any party. By timing the celebration budget appropriate say 3:00pm you are not obliged to provide a full meal.
Guest List Its a kid celebration so first and foremost the guest list should include only, you guessed it kids. Ensure the parents are aware that its a drop-off, pick-up party scenario helping to save on any extra food, drinks and other party indulgences. Some say the unwritten rule when it comes to kids birthday parties is one guest for every year old they are so for a seven year old its seven guests. A perfect way to keep the soiree the perfect size and on budget.
Location, Location, Location There are all kinds of cool and groovy venues that are appropriate to host a kids birthday party. But if you are looking to keep the budget in-check then its a house party for you. There is a lot one can do to spruce up the house and turn it into a party zone. Choose a party theme and carry it through-out the house take a portion of the money saved not using a venue and put it into some party crafts and activities and your half way there.
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Indoor Streaming Movie Night
Since the pandemic of 2020, movie production companies are starting to release brand new major movies straight to streaming services. The movies that usually costs me $12 per person to get into see now cost me $20 to rent and sometimes $25 to buy.
Therefore, if you want to stay in, consider renting a brand new movie youve been waiting to see and host an at-home kind of movie party.
I hope these cheap birthday party ideas help inspire your party animal. Have fun crafting the perfect party for your group!
Pick A Birthday Party Theme
Further down you’ll find a complete list of all of the birthday party themes we’ve hosted over the year- and if you click through, you’ll find tons of details- ideas for invites, food, games, the cake, etc. But if you are finding this complete list of kids birthday party themes to be overwhelming try clicking through to the lists that are segmented by gender or age!
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Low Budget Cheap Inexpensive Birthday Party Ideas
Down below you will find a few ideas that will surely cut down a lot of cost from your budget.
I have covered almost like everything related to those seven aspects. So stay tuned and read each idea from the list, I am sure you are going to have a decent party with a very less budget with these ideas.
Making The Guest List
When it comes to making the guest list for a birthday party, we may feel inclined to invite everyone just so we don’t hurt any feelings. While it’s great in theory, it’s rough on the budget! More guests equals more food, which equals more money! Do your best to whittle the list down to only your closest friends and family. If someone asks you about it, tell them you just want to keep it small and intimate this year!
If you do decide to leave the guest list long, consider all the costs that may result. Do you have enough seating for all of the people? If not, you will probably need to borrow or rent tables and chairs. You’ll need to plan for more food, drinks and you may even need a bigger cake!
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Reuse Old Decorations Or Buy Cheap Ones
Whether your child wants a dinosaur-themed party or a princess party, a little creativity can go a long way when it comes to decorating on a budget. If you have decorations from old parties, use them to create a fun space, no matter where the party is. The important thing is to be creative and think outside the box. If you are lacking any good decorations, then you can still buy some affordable ones easily.
