Party on a Shoestring Budget

Party Invitations

Throw out paper invitations, pick a cute invitation from hundreds of free ones online and send it to the invitees. Alternatively download some free clipart and make your own in Word and send it across. You could also buy cheap flat fill-in cards at supermarketrs and fill them up yourself.

Party Themes

Instead of buying a branded theme for your child’s party go generic! Instead of Disney Princess go for a Pretty Princess theme. Generic themes are much more cheaper than branded ones.

Party Food

Why buy an expensive cake when you can bake your own? For very young children individually decorated cupcakes would be a great idea. If you are a bit unsure about your abilities, use a ready cake mix. Make inexpensive, easy to put together dishes like lasagne or a casserole. Consider ordering pizza!

For a grown up party you could even request your guests to each get a dish and turn it into a charming potluck!

Entertainment

Cut down on the cost of hiring a professional magician/clown/entertainer. Request a talented relative or friend to put up a show. Alternatively have your party in a children’s park where the kids could enjoy themselves on swings, slides and seesaws.

Party Decorations

Who says party decorations need to be expensive? Use massive bunches of flowers or make your own with tissue paper. Make decorated fabric banners that you can re-use. Cut shapes out of colored card and make danging mobiles. Paste family pictures on card and string them together to form chains. Make a big collage of your child’s pictures on the wall. For a grown up party use candles to create a stage setting and float pretty flowers in small bowls of water.

Party Favors

For girls, provide some some colorful beads from your local craft store and let them make their own necklaces. Seeds for the garden might be another good yet inexpensive idea for both sexes. You can also look for small party favors at the dollar store.