I can't really afford alot. I have a huge family and everyone always feeds everyone at their party's. I need cheap easy ideas that i can do ahead of time so i can enjoy the birthday and not stress over everything.
2006-07-14 20:21:48 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
The good news is, they only get expensive if you let them be. I normally have all of my kids' birthday parties at our house.
I also come from a large family - they come around lunch, and most stay through dinner. If you're going to do a lunch thing - just buy stuff to make subs (french bread, lunchmeat, lettuce, etc), and have chips and a few side dishes. Or else we'll get a ham on sale, and have the butcher dept slice it. We'll put it in a slow cooker to keep warm, and serve with rolls. Most of my sisters always ask if they can bring something - and I always say yes, please! Then, for those that stay thru dinner, I just make a big pot of spagetti.
I make a few munchies that I keep around the house. Mostly chips, pretzels, peanuts because it's so hot in the summer. We'll have veggies & dip (we keep them on these big ice packs). Chop up a seedless watermelon, and arrange in a big platter. I'll also get Hawaiian bread, cut out the center, and put spinach dip in it. It can be made, but I just buy a small bucket of it and dump it in. The bread that was cut out - place in chunks around the bread & call it a day.
Make a big bowl of lemonade instead of buying a lot of soda. I just buy the frozen kind, easy to remake in a jiff, and I think lemonade is the best thing to have in summer. Keeping it non-alcoholic is the best way for family parties!
If you want to go all out and buy a huge cake, go ahead, but they can get pretty pricey. Around here they're anywhere between $35-50 so I just make my own. I bought a big sheet cake pan, and learned some basic knowledge of how to decorate.
Or - make a bunch of cupcakes, and put them on a layered platter. You can get the platter very cheaply, and it does make a beautiful presentation. A lot of people are now using this idea at weddings. I bought my platter at Goodwill for under 2 dollars. My guess is Walmart would have plenty of these also.
I also make my kids their own cake, a small one of course. When they were one, I suprised everyone by making a small chocolate cake. It made wonderful pictures. Sometimes I'll buy a figurine set and put them on the cake, so they can play with the toys later. You can get plenty of them at dollar stores. Later on, my daughters have had little mermaid settings, even kelly doll & friends having a birthday party. The boys have had matchbox cars, farm animals, dinosaurs, & army guy playsets. My 10 yr old is getting a mini GI joe birthday cake this year.
I'm a mom of 5, now waiting for twins. I've always tried to find ways to make the parties cheap & easy. Hard enough keeping an eye on the kids, let alone hostessing the guests - don't want to be in the kitchen all day!
Have fun!
2006-07-15 02:38:38 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buy a packet of cake mix, and make lots of cupcakes - one packet usually makes at least 24 cakes. Chopped up carrots and celery with dips is another cheap food idea, and mini pizzas made up of a bought pizza base cut up with a scone cutter (or use a small jar and cut with a knife), and veges, meat and cheese that if you have left overs you can keep and use later. sandwiches are a great cheap option and for dessert - there is the cakes and what about fresh fruit?
2006-07-14 20:27:22 · answer #2 · answered by AnswerP 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A baby's first birthday is really more of a party for mom celebrating that she's made it that far. Do what you want, the kid's not going to know the difference....just make sure you get 2 cakes, one for him and one for everyone else.
2006-07-14 20:59:26 · answer #3 · answered by punk pirate 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have a huge family too. Luckily, some avid cooks among them. Now, know this: Folks who love cooking & baking, love the acknowledgment too. My dad makes his prawns, 1 aunt makes her much loved veggie curry, another her "no fail chocolate cake"...etc etc They love doing it. Chef's & cooks have huge ego's. (See Jamie Oliver). Ask those in your family to make a favourite dish (even offer to buy the ingredients if need be).
This way you'll have more time to hang balloons, and comfort your 1 yr old, who'll be freaked out by all the fussing & noice being created in his/her honour. Good luck.
2006-07-14 20:52:29 · answer #4 · answered by Xanadu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not think it is wise to have a bday party for a one year old. The kid would barely realize the occasion is for him/her. It would be best to just put a little money to the side so u can have a better party when the baby is 2 or even better 3.
2006-07-14 20:26:23 · answer #5 · answered by snakehawk37 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The kid is gonna be ONE......they aren't gonna remember a darn thing.
Make some hotdogs, have a nice cake, put up some balloons and streamers. Nobody said you had to have a full sit down meal for the entire crew!
2006-07-14 20:23:50 · answer #6 · answered by Jennifer B 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
have a "pot luck" sort of thing. have everyone bring one dish. you'll have plenty of food. and of course you have to have a cake and maybe some balloons and streamers. balloons and steamers are cheap.
2006-07-14 20:25:47 · answer #7 · answered by ♥ it's katie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u dont need to spend alot.... If u hav of 50 jus get in 40 Pitzaa's
m may b jus enough of beer
i think tht will do...
fet a nice simple cake..... n jus put ballons where ever posible
i think tht will suit the purpose
2006-07-14 20:25:32 · answer #8 · answered by Babe 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, tuna and chicken salad sandwiches. cut the sandwiches into fourths, they go a long way , its inexpensive, and easy. fruit punch with fresca soda in it. chips and you're good.
2006-07-14 20:24:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
a little mermaid theme?
2006-07-14 20:23:58 · answer #10 · answered by ניקול 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋