Birthday on a Budget

It's easy to spend a lot of money on birthdays. You want your kid, and everybody else's, to have a good time. It's fun to get a party package at a bowling alley, Main Event, the skating rink or whatever. But those packages are also pretty spendy.

I got lucky and was able to steer my son into having a big slumber party at the house with all his friends.

We decorated with string lights (aka christmas lights) streamers and balloons, borrowed a movie projector (thanks Mom!), got some popcorn and glowsticks, ordered some pizza, and invited over about seven other kids (I'm a glutton for punishment LOL). It was a blast! Actually the fun is still occuring because this is the morning after and everybody's still here.

For my daughter's party last year (and I think the two previous years...she really likes to swim!) was at a local water park...sort of nicer than a regular pool, but not as spendy as an actual water park. Admission is about four dollars per kid, and we didn't feel guilty asking everyone to pay their own way. Four dollars is reasonable, and if we'd been rich enough to have a party at a place that requires ten or more dollars, we'd pay other people's ways! Anyhow, we brought cake, snacks and drinks to refresh guests and they all got to play with their friends. We like this arrangement and it keeps birthdays affordable and reasonable.

Shhh don't tell the kids, but I always put something in there that says gifts optional, because we don't feel like families should feel financially obligated to spend money on our kid if they can't afford it. Most people bring gifts or money anyways and we always appreciate their kind gestures. I've also put something in there a few times about please only bring a nice used gift in good condition or thrift store find. I would love to steer people in the direction away from conditioned consumerism and towards reusing and redistributing. Kids don't care if a toy is in packaging, they just are excited if it's new to them, interesting and fun.

Well that's my post on how to have a fun birthday with minimal costs. Please post your own ideas below, I'd love some fresh ideas!