My last baby turned one recently. It really is bittersweet. I love that he is healthy and growing, but I am sad that my baby is almost walking. More specifically, I think I am sad that I’ll never have a baby again. Having, holding, and delighting in my children as been the best part of my life. I can’t imagine anything better. However, that is another post entirely. This post is about birthday parties.
Social media. It really can be the worst, especially when it comes to children. Other people can make it seem like you’re not doing anything right. Oftentimes, we search for the Pinterest perfect party decorations, the adorably themed snacks, the wildly creative games, and of course, the elaborate birthday cakes. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that our children need these things to be happy. But I have a secret for you. Kids don’t really care! So, let’s take the stress out of kid parties!
1. Make a homemade cake
I have never ordered a birthday cake. The internet is an amazing place, where you can find out how to make just about anything. Here is a picture of a unicorn cake I made for my daughter’s 4th birthday.
2. Don’t over-complicate the food
Yes, themed food is cute, but taste is really all that matters. We’ve been to birthday parties where the host used weird ingredients for the sake of a themed food. What a waste. Do everyone a favor and just buy some chips and order a few pizzas.
3. Keep the entertainment simple
I know there is a temptation to rent out the skating rink or trampoline park, but your backyard can be fun. If it’s summer, break out the hose. If it’s winter, make an indoor scavenger hunt.
4. Keep the decor cheap
Did you know that the Dollar Tree sells balloons? It’s hands down the cheapest place to buy party balloons. The only other thing you ready need is a birthday banner (pick something plain, so it can be used multiple times). Sometimes I’ll print out coloring sheets in whatever theme was chosen for the party. Then I’ll let the kids color the characters, and I’ll hang them on the walls. Cheap and simple.
5. Keep the birthday gift under $50
We have a rule in our house that birthday gifts cannot exceed $50. The little kids rarely ever ask for big ticket items, but the big kids like expensive things. So, having a rule in place helps keep the expectations reasonable.
So there you have it – 5 easy ways to keep birthdays from sucking all the money out of your bank account. Remember, it doesn’t have to be an amazing extravaganza. Your children won’t care if you perfectly executed the theme. They just want to feel special for the day!