Children’s birthdays can be unbelievably costly. Some parents like to spoil their children with the most expensive toys and the latest gadgets, putting on enormous parties with elaborate cakes and high-end entertainers.
But throwing a birthday celebration for your child doesn’t have to mean spending huge sums of money. Birthdays should be about praising how far they have come, making wonderful family memories, and rejoicing in their achievements. Not how much cash you have to show off. It is perfectly possible to give your little one a special day on a budget, as long as you are smart with your money and plan ahead of time. Here six tips to save money while celebrating your child’s birthday.
Create a budget
The first step is to create a budget, which will allow you to determine exactly how much money you can afford to spend. Use a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet or a budgeting app to note your monthly incomings and outgoings, as well as the savings you have in the bank. Using these figures, you should be able to see exactly how much there is left to spend on your child’s birthday celebrations. Don’t feel disheartened if the amount is smaller than expected. Remember that money isn’t essential for your child to have a wonderful day, and you can always tighten your belt in the following weeks to make up for it.
Stay local
One of the biggest expenses when it comes to children’s birthday parties is the venue. Hiring out a village hall or soft play area can set you back financially, but it’s not essential. It’s perfectly easy to throw a party in your own home or garden and invite all your little one’s friends round to have a good time. This won’t cost a thing, as long as you hide your valuables and protect your furniture from spillages and other accidents. If your home isn’t big enough for a celebration or you’re worried about having a horde of feral children tearing up the place, you could always use a local park or green space instead.
Prepare your own food
It’s not a party without food, and the good news is that most kids aren’t particularly fussy about where their food comes from. You could spend a fortune buying party snacks at the grocery store, but it’ll be much cheaper and more exciting to make them yourself. Making snacks like cookies, sausage rolls, and mini sandwiches will take up a fair bit of time but the ingredients will cost a lot less than pre-made food. And you can get as creative as you like. Decorate cupcakes and other treats with your little one’s favorite characters or hobbies.
Make the cards and decorations
Birthday decorations are perhaps the biggest waste of money ever. They look nice and festive when you put them up, but as soon as the celebration is over they either go straight in the bim or get tucked away in a drawer and forgotten about. With just a few items of stationery, you will have everything you need to make them yourself. You can customize them however you like, and if you take good care of them they can be reused for future birthdays. The other parents will admire your creativity and they might even hire you to decorate their next event. If you’re stuck for inspiration, here are some ideas for card making.
Plan some fun activities
There are so many options when it comes to entertainment, and these are usually incredibly expensive. The classic party ideas like bowling, the cinema, and bouncy castles are certainly fun, but they aren’t cheap. Especially if you’re catering for dozens of children. Eliminate these costs and plan the day’s activities instead. There are plenty of party games and activities that are enjoyable for both children and adults alike. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Cut down the guest list
Your birthday child may wish to invite their whole class to their party, as well as the entire extended family too. But the more people that attend, the more expensive it will turn out. Try to reduce the guest list to just your child’s closest friends. It may be hard to whittle down the numbers, but it will pay off when you look at your bank balance afterward. Alternatively, you could ask the parents of each child to bring an item of food to the party to reduce your expenses.
In conclusion, it’s clear that a child’s birthday celebrations don’t have to break the bank. By following these tips and being mindful of your money, you will be able to throw a fantastic event on a shoestring budget.
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