Birthdays on a Budget

Make the Most of Your Child’s Special Day – Even When Money is Tight

By Carol Band

Birthday parties and economic downturns are not an good combination. How do you keep spending under control while still making the day special for your birthday child? It’s all about balance. Cutting costs and eliminating frivolous extras may make it possible to splurge on what matters the most – making memories. We’ve talked to local parents, looked into local options and pulled together some innovative ideas and time-tested tips.

Turns out, there are plenty of ways to trim the birthday budget and keep the party – at home or away, with old-fashioned fun or a hired entertainer – within your financial grasp. Now, that’s something to celebrate!

The Home-Grown Party

Inexpensive options for party venues abound, especially when the weather is good. If you have room at home, that’s the easiest option. But if your child has a summer birthday, consider hosting a birthday party at a local park or playground. Add cake, a few portable games and you’ve got a celebration that’s festive and extremely economical. Consider having pizzas delivered to the park or asking your local ice cream truck to stop by.

Let simplicity be the party theme, and your wallet and your guests will thank you. “I save money by using real plates and cups – not paper,” says Framingham, Mass. mom Angela Rodrigues. “It saves the environment, too.” Other cost-cutting ideas include substituting the Sunday comics for expensive wrapping paper, enlisting the kids to help make decorations and streamlining the menu. “I never serve actual meals,” Rodrigues says, “just cake, ice cream and a drink.”