Birthday Party On A Budget
Throw a Birthday Party On A Budget by stretching your dollars.
If you are wanting to host an extreme birthday party like the ones shown on televisions "Sweet 16" program the party budget you see below will be too small.
A birthday party should be a celebration of the person being honored, not a race to do bigger and better than your friends or neighbors. An extreme party is great and magical if you can afford it, but don't feel pressured to do one if you can't afford it.
Party Planning Budget Samples
Birthday Budget Sample
INVITES/THANK YOU CARDS:Invitations:2 pkgs of 8, total $9
Thank-You Notes:2 pkgs, total $6
Stamps:12 at $.50 each, total $6
TABLE WARE:
Cake Plates: 2 packs, total $7
Dinner Plates: 2 pkg, total $9
Cups: 1 pkg of 20, total $4
Dinner Napkins:1 pk of 20, total $4
Beverage Napkins: 1 pk, total $3
Cutlery:(spoons,forks,knives)-$3
Tablecloth: plastic, total $2
DECORATIONS:
Balloons: 1 pk of 12, total $3
Centerpiece: 1 bouquet, $12
FOOD:
Cake: sheet cake, total $16
Ice Cream: 1 gallon, total $6
Drinks: juice/soda, total $9
Food: finger food, total $25
ACTIVITIES/GAMES:
2 games:, total $14
3 Prizes:(candles,lotion)$15
Total Cost Of Party: $153
prices are rounded
to the nearest dollar
Birthday On A Budget
INVITES/THANK YOU CARDS:Invitations: print your own, total $2
Thank-You Notes:print your own, $2
Stamps: hand deliver $0
TABLE WARE:
Cake Plates: use own dishes, total $0
Dinner Plates: use dishes, total $0
Cups: 1 pack of 20 plastic, total $4
Dinner Napkins: 1 pk of 200, total $4
Beverage Napkins:use dinner napkins$0
Cutlery: (spoons, forks, & knives) $3
Tablecloth: don't use, total $0
DECORATIONS:
Balloons: 1 pack of 12, total $3
Centerpiece: use cake as centerpiece
FOOD:
Cake: home made, total $6
Ice Cream: 1 gallon @ $6
Drinks: juice and soda, total $9
Food: chips/dip, total $8
ACTIVITIES/GAMES:
Activity: use items from home, $0
3 Prizes: (lotions,candles) total $15
Total Cost Of Party: $62
prices are rounded
to the nearest dollar
Cutting Costs
Making your own cake, decorations and invitations is the easiest way to host a birthday party on a budget.You can stretch your dollars by shopping for party supplies at a discount store, buying items off season and watching for sales.
In both of the sample budgets you could cut costs even further by using cloth napkins and your everyday silverware.
Another Sample Budget
Baby Shower Budget