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Decide what you can
afford to spend on the party. Stick to
it.
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Pick an inexpensive location. Parks and backyards
are perfect for large groups of kids - they're
free, and there's plenty of room to have fun. If
your Birthday party is for someone older check in
to inexpensive reception halls. Bars will sometimes
let you have a party earlier in the day, so check
with bars such as The Five Mile, and The
Jokers Wild.
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Decide if the party is big enough to have
entertainment. Most Disk Jockeys will cut you a
break on the cost because it is not a long event.
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Decide what games, if any. Bring out the old
favorites, like pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, musical
chairs or Simon says. Or get more ideas by talking
to other people involved, checking a party games
book out of the library, or searching the Web.
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Decide what food you will serve. Try to make most
of the food yourself, including the cake. Enlist
the aid of the guest of honor, as well as any
siblings.
-
Purchase any premade foods in bulk, and remember
that kids are usually happy with inexpensive foods
like hot dogs and pasta salad. Have plenty of
snacks such as goldfish crackers and pretzels on
hand, too. For vegetables, go for baby carrots and
celery sticks.
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Serve juice, punch or soda from large bottles,
rather than offering individual containers.
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Write and give out invitations. Handwritten or
computer-generated invitations work well and add a
personal touch to the party. If you like, you can
even give them out by hand and save a few dollars
on stamps.
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Buy decorations, game prizes, paper goods and candy
from close-out or discount stores. Or ask friends
if they have any paper goods left over from parties
they have thrown.
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Try incorporating some items you already have on
hand as part of the decorations.
