First Birthdays on a Budget
The first birthday is something that you want to be special for your child. Actually you want it to be special to you since your baby isn't likely to remember it long. So how do you achieve a memorable event and stay within your budget for the first birthday?The first birthday is one that people tend to invite a number of people to regardless of how close we are to them. This is the first thing that eats into the budget for the party. Keep it small, invite a couple kids from the neighborhood and the grandparents. Grandparents want to share in the birthday party for the baby, and they'll be sure to remember the camera.Asking everyone to bring cameras means that you can ask them for the good shots from the pictures that they take. Having a digital camera (hopefully one you didn't buy just for the party) will go a long way to saving you money on the party. You can take the pictures and print them out on your computer.
Who can forget the first birthday cake that always ends up all over the baby? You can keep the first birthday on a budget by making the cake yourself. A box of cake mix, the ingredients to add to the cake mix (which are usually in the kitchen already), icing and some decorative icing can give you a baby's birthday cake for under $10. This also gives you the option of having cupcakes instead if you'd like. Bake the cake and decorate it yourself, it doesn't have to be perfect. Actually it's kind of cute when it looks like the baby made it themselves.Keep the decorations simple. A banner and some streamers should do. One helium filled balloon with Happy Birthday on it is enough for the baby's party. There are inexpensive goody bags available pre-made or you can put together your own with some brown paper bags and age appropriate items.The food should be simple. Cake and ice cream is good but if you want something for the guests to snack on try limiting it to some potato chips and a few trays of cut of veggies with dip. This will give them something to fill up on while not spending a lot of money.Matching plate and cup sets can be purchased rather inexpensively at the local dollar store. When it comes to drinks you can make kool-aid for the kids and buy a couple of two litters for the adults. It's less expensive than individual cans and you'll have less to clean up when it's all over.
You can get creative and have a larger party on a budget if you want. You just have to remember to keep your budget in mind while you're planning the party.
