Let’s Save Some Money on birthday parties (Couponing to Disney)

From Couponing to Disney…

Let’s Save Some Money on birthday parties

Birthday parties do not have to break the bank. And sometimes it’s the
simplest, most inexpensive ideas that are the most fun! The important thing to
remember, your child isn’t going to know if you spent $30 or $300. They’re just
going to remember how much fun they had!

The Cake:

Making your own cake is obviously the most inexpensive route to go. And you
don’t have to be a professional cake decorator make it look good! You can bake a
basic sheet cake and ice it and then use themed figurines to decorate it. Cars,
Toy Story, Disney princesses, any theme is possible with just a few inexpensive
toys.

Cupcakes are also a good option for a party for kids. You can find cheap
trinkets to decorate each cupcake with that doubles as a favor for each child.
The Dollar Tree often has small frisbees, spinning tops and other things in the
toy department. I’ve seen Cars, Winnie The Pooh, Diego and Disney princesses and
they are often 4-6 to a pack for just $1. Use these to top the cupcakes!

A Dirt Cake is simple enough for anyone to make! A chocolate cake with
chocolate frosting. Top with crushed oreos and gummie worms!

Shaped-cake pans can be purchased fairly inexpensively at Michael’s if you
use the 40% off coupon out of their weekly ad.

Decorations:

Decorations do not have to be elaborate. And the Dollar Tree is a good place
for inexpensive cups, plates, napkins, balloons, streamers, and other
decorations.

You can also use what you already have at home for decorations. Use your
daughter’s princess dolls or your son’s trucks as table decorations that fit in
with your theme.

Activities:

A table with some coloring sheets and crayons is often all you need to
entertain the kids. Printable coloring sheets are found at most children’s
website. Look up your child’s favorite show and you should be able to find
coloring sheets to fit your theme.

Allowing each child to decorate their own cupcake or cookie is another
activity!

Blowing bubbles, sidewalk chalk and a sprinkler are other good activities!
And just giving them time for unstructured play and a nice place to play with
plenty of items (balls, riding toys, trucks) that you probably already have is
the best idea. Depending on the age group of the attendees, games like Mother
May I and Simon Says are always fun.

Food:

Scheduling the party between meal times will save you on food costs.
Mid-morning or afternoon parties are good. If you must serve lunch, keep it
simple. Hot dogs, chips/goldfish crackers and a fruit (grapes, fruit cocktail or
diced peaches) is a good lunch for the under 10 crowd. 🙂

Party Favors:

If you feel you must give out party favors – hit up the Dollar Tree!

You can use Dum-Dum suckers or Blow Pops as balloon weights that will also
double as party favors. Each child can have a balloon and sucker when they go
home!