Planning a child`s birthday is never an easy process. What should be all `fairy cakes and balloons`, can quite easily descend into hours of monotonous pass the parcel wrapping, making up of party bags, and ringing around church halls or community centres, to try to secure the cheapest/trendiest/most convenient location. Furthermore, given the current economic climate, planning a child`s birthday party that is exciting and unique, albeit on a shoe string budget, can prove to be a real headache! There are however, some hints and tips and options, which can help you to cut costs, without looking like a skin flint!
Soft Play/Ball Pit/Fast Food`
Ideal for medium sized parties. This option may seen expensive at first, but when you consider that prices can start from £4.99 per child, and that food, drinks and party bags are included in the price, not to mention that the children virtually entertain themselves for two hours, this option starts to look more appealing! Remember though, you may be required to bring your own birthday cake with you.
Party in a Hall
If you are planning a child`s party on a budget, and you are expecting a lot of children, then hiring your local sports hall or community hall can be very cost effective. A top tip is to consider church halls, as these are usually available for hire at very low costs! Also, rather than a buffet, to seriously save costs, try individual party boxes or making up food party plates beforehand. This is really easy to arrange, simply give menu choices/options on the party invitations. You might have to do some chasing up to ensure you have everyone preferences, and always bring along a bit extra in case of the odd toppled plate incident! But, realistically, most children do not actually eat a great deal at parties, so only giving a set amount of what they actually want will greatly reduce costs and reduce wasted excess food!
Home Parties
Obviously, this seems like the cheapest option, and with regards to hiring a venue and catering, it probably is. But entertainment and party bags can really stretch the budget! Most supermarkets do now stock party bag fillers which are quite cheap, but you could go one step further and let the children make something, such as jewellery or a door sign for their room, a clay fridge magnet or paperweight, biscuit decorating, etc. to fill their party bag with.
Themes
Having a theme can really make a party more enjoyable, as well as contributing to keeping costs down. A theme allows you to focus your decorations, invitations and party food/bags, thus enabling you to be creative with both ideas and budget!
It is imperative that the theme reflect your child`s age and will be suitable and enjoyable for his/her peers. You need not spend a fortune on fashionable paraphernalia (for example High School Musical or Hannah Montana), instead you can adopt features from these themes and tailor them. For example, Hannah Montana is generally associated with the colour purple, so have a purple party! Make some home made invitations, choose purple decorations, ask people to come dressed in purple, but buy an offical Hannah Montana (or whatever you choose) cake.
An ideal way to make a party individual, unique, and that costs you very little, is to invite people to come in Fancy dress outfits. Not only is this fantastic for your budget but it also allows you to personalise the party, and adds a great element of fun
