What's the most you've ever spent on a birthday party?

Question

My husband and I threw our son his first birthday at the skating Rink here last year and spent about 300 dollars. My daughter is turning 3 soon, and we're already at the 100 dollar mark on just decorations and favors! How did it get so expensive? So my question is: How much do you spend on your toddlers/children's birthdays and what are some ways you can save money and still have a great party?

Answer 1

For my daughters first 3 birthdays we spent a fortune. My daughters father owned a business and then we had to invite all the people and their kids etc etc....This year she is having a princess party (in a few weeks) we no longer live in the same state as her father so i decided to go smaller. She is only have her cousin and one good preschool friend over..we are doing some crafts, games then taking the kids to "playland" its an arcade with a toddler climbing area...($5.00 per kid to play) i got the favors from target...a really neat craft it to make a large photo frame that says princess on it..im gonna let the girls decorate thsoe and they also had princess drawstring bags and the best part is they are only $1.00 each i also found dollar crowns...and the funny part is my daughtre is having more fun planning this party then any of her others. I'm planning on spending about $75 including lunch (pizza) which is a HUGE difference then the $500 - $1000 that we spent per party for the first 3. My suggestion is to really plan it out before hand. Its the impulse buying that kills ya. She is having a princess party but rather then buying actualy princess tablecloth, plates, cups etc...we just got the generic brand pink and purple. This alone saved $50.00. Also those little goodie bag toys can get expensive and do you think the kid you give it to is really gonna love it? Really its about like happy meal toys there fun for about 5 minutes until they get lost under the couch. This year i went for the a craft that they can do durning the party together, a crown that they can wear during the party and dress up later and cute drawstring bags that can be used later plus some princess gummies. That way i know that im not wasting my money. I spent about $3.50 per kid for those things and the stuff is great..just look for good deals. Also with food..no one expects a gourmet lunch/dinner...we are doing pizza..(last year had a chef on the beach..way over done..it wasn't my choice) You don't even have to have lunch/dinner you could just have lots of theme appropriate snacks..the kids just want the cake and icecream anyway haha..just have lots of drinks handy. Mostly..if you just relax let the kids do the partying..and keep the music going its gonna be a great party. I reaize now we were having parties for everyone else BUT my daughter since she didn't care...this year is all about her..and its saving me a bundle.

Answer 2

If you are spending that much, you are over spending. And to the guy who says $3000.00...I am wondering if that is on a toddler birthday party or an adult party. (In which case, if it is an adult party, it is still too much!) The most important thing to consider when throwing a toddler party...is that the party is for the TODDLER. Not for the parents. So if you are already questioning your spending spree...than you have definitely over spent. The focus should be on getting together and enjoying the reason for the occasion...not the decorations and the party favors. Trust me...the kid will never remember any of that. A cake and a few decorations is great plenty. If they are expecting lunch, you can do that easily. Grilled cheese sandwiches and punch seem to be the favorite among kids. Play some games, take the group to play on the slide at the park, etc. It's how you spend your time, not how much you spend, that counts.

Answer 3

I was considering hiring a bouncy castle but decided instead to buy one to use at a 6th birthday party (and other future parties), but that is the only time I got into the hundreds. You are perhaps spending so much because you are asking a child, who has no comprehension of money, what she would like. Our daughter, for example, would willingly swap a dull pound coin for a shiny penny and she will want to buy any rubbish if it comes in a box with Pooh bear on the outside.

You will not give a bunch of toddlers a better time than if you give them a couple of large cardboard boxes and a few baloons to play with.

Answer 4

On my son's first birthday we spent about $500.00 total. But only about 200.00 came out of our pockets! Here's what you do, you ask your family and friends to help with some of the small things. Like balloons, the cake, and/or juice for the little ones. It never hurts to ask the worst thing that would happen is to be told no. But if they are willing tell them not to worry about bringing a gift, that helping out to give the child a memory he'll never forget is alot more than a toy he wont play with in a few weeks or clothes he'll/she'll grow out of in a month or so. 9 times out of 10 they'll usually bring something anyway. That's what family is for! Well I hope this helped! Good Luck and have a good time planning all the birthdays to come! Oh one more thing dont try to throw a big expensive party for your child every year. Try to focus on the more noticed birthdays!

Answer 5

Try the dollar stores for the party favors. Dollar tree etc. has some cute party favs. for just $1.00 each. I've spent 50-100 on a small party i don't do the big ones for my lil brothers. then I do "major" parties on the "major" ages. 5, 10, 13, 16, and graduation etc. Or at least that's what our family does. We keep it small and in the family for the other b-days going out to grab a bite to eat and maybe have the child bring one friend. *the birthday kid gets to choose where to eat at.*

Answer 6

Have the party at a park...kids love the park and usually it is pretty cheap to rent a pavilion. Really...the guests care about the cake and a goody bag...lol. But goody bags can be made cheaply...just buy the themed bag but not the themed fillers...use dollar store fillers instead.

Don't get caught up with having the BEST party and comparing...focus on having a fun party that your child enjoys. I have been to several of the big shindigs and the birthday kid is often overwhelmed and other kids are upset that they can't play with the birthday kid cause 20 other kids want to be the one to sit by the birthday boy etc...so keep it small and simple.

Also it is often better to have two parties...a park one for a few friends...then a nice informal BBQ at home for family if you have a big family that wants to be there.

Answer 7

Have the party at home, invite 5 or so friends. Let them PLAY!! Do all the fancy napkins and plates if you want, but if you let her pick something from the dollar store, she'll be just as happy cause she picked it. Have some little races, an easy craft or coloring table with butcher block paper, get put out some babies and dress-ups. Make a cake, your done. She'll love it, you'll love it. Those are the parties my kids remember. I think we all try too hard these days. Let the kids enjoy each other!

Answer 8

Well, you did better than us lol! We spent over $600 on our daughter's first birthday party. We did a care bears theme. We payed a care bear character to show up, catered the food in and bought EVERYTHING care bear from the napkins, to the straws and EVERYTHING in between. My mom offered some things (but we had the money, so we didn't much care) like only haveing character items (plates, napkins and such) for the children attending and use plain for adults, mix in solid color decorations (plain pink ballons instead of all care bear because those were so expensive), buy liters of soda/juice and put them in a beverage cooler that has a spout instead of buying bottled soda and juices, she BEGGED us not to have it catered and wanted a cook out type, make games instead of buying premade ones and thats about all I can remember. We didn't do anything of them this year, but probably future years since their will be two birthday parties a year lol, and more expenses too!

Answer 9

I have managed to have nice birthday parties for around $200 by limiting the number of guests, using plain decorations (pick a color scheme) instead of cartoon character themes, and baking my own cakes.
Sometimes a church will let you have a party in their hall if you are an active member and willing to make a donation.
If you must rent out a facility, then you will pay big bucks to have a party.

Answer 10

$250,000 but it was my daughters sweet 16.

JK, I hear what you are saying though. I blame it on what I call "The one up theory". This is when you get caught up in all the hype about what a good party that so and so had. So you have to throw a better party than so and so. Honestly, I think the people make the party. So be reasonable, and you'll have a great time.