Stay in Charge
Your child’s birthday party will provide memories you’ll want to capture and cherish for the rest of your life. To make sure you and your family get the most out of the day, we have compiled a list of tips to help make sure your kid’s big day is nothing short of perfect.
Step One: Spare Your Purse Strings
A child’s birthday party shouldn’t be so grandiose that you have to call your financial advisor—that’s what Sweet Sixteens are for. Instead, set a budget and stick to it. Here are a few ways you can save a few dollars without sacrificing anything that will make the day special:
• Don’t worry about sending out fancy invitations—emails are fine.
• Stick to finger foods and candy. There is no need to provide a seven-course meal.
• Stick with solid-colored decorations, paper plates, and Bounty napkins.
That way you can break out whatever you don't use at a later date.
Step Two: Make Cleanup Effortless
• Buy a disposable plastic tablecloth.
• Keep Bounty paper napkins on hand to wipe down the cake-crusted hands that will surely touch everything.
• Host the party outside, if weather permits. There’s no better way to keep the carpet looking great than by taking it out of the equation altogether.
Step Three: Watch the Clock
Keep the party short. Two hours is plenty of time for a great party.
Step Four: Keep It Playful
While you’ll want to have a few activities planned, don’t plan too many. Keep it tothree tops. Any more than that and you’ll just end up spending money on thingsthat your little one’s guests will never get to.
Here are a few ideas that kids of all ages can get excited about:
• Finger painting
• Dancing to some kiddie songs
• Crafting
• Hide and Seek
• Pin the Tail on the Donkey
Step Five: VIPs Only
Charming as he may be, now isn’t the time to introduce your fourth cousin’s new beau to Great Aunt Agatha—that’s what weddings are for. Keep your guest list short and sweet. Not only will it keep the party (and expenses) more manageable, it will make the event more enjoyable for everyone invited.
Step Six: Stay in Charge
Most importantly, make sure your phone and camera’s batteries are completely charged before the party. Kids are unpredictable and you never know when yours will do something adorable that you’ll want to remember forever.
Birthday Party Table Decorations
Themed parties are a huge hit with kids—but throwing a themed birthday party doesn't have to mean spending a fortune on decorations. By making your own birthday party decorations, you can save loads of cash, leaving the birthday child thrilled with their party and the party thrower thrilled with the savings. This project is not geared toward children, and is best suited for adults.
What You Need:
Small Box (recycled plastic produce containers work great)
Two Approximately 14" x 14" Squares of Theme-Inspired Wrapping Paper (the size of the paper squares depends on the size of box used, so adjust accordingly)
Wrapping Paper (enough to cover the box)
Clear Plastic or Glass Pitcher
Plastic or Rubber Toys
Tall Straws or Sticks (old wooden spoons will work)
Balloons
Candy
Small Toys
Clear Gift Wrapping Tape
Bounty Paper Towels
Instructions:
Start by wrapping the outside of the box in theme-inspired wrapping paper. You can use leftover pieces from wrapping gifts for this step. Use a little extra tape to hold any stubborn pieces.
Take one of the 14" x 14" pieces and, holding it decorative side down, place it into the box, pressing it down into all the edges so the edges of the paper are sticking out. Repeat with the second piece. It should have the appearance of a gift bag with the paper corners and edges sticking out the top, and the inside of the box usable to hold candy and toys. Set them on small tables and kids will go wild for them.
Making a main centerpiece is as easy as making the smaller table decorations. Fill the pitcher with small plastic or rubber toys. Inflate the balloons, using as many or as few as needed to fill the pitcher. Use colors to coordinate with the theme. Attach the balloons to the stick end of the wooden spoons or tall straws with tape. Stick the spoon ends down into the pitcher. If you are using spoons, it may be easier to add the toys after the spoons, or by wiggling and twisting the spoons down into the toys.
Place the centerpiece in the center of the main table, for festive birthday party decorations that the kids will love and your friends will be super impressed with.
How To Make a Birthday Photo Collage
Thinking of fun and unique birthday party decorations is always a challenge. A large photo collage with spaces for people to write special birthday wishes is a great decoration that the birthday boy or girl can save as a keepsake. This wall collage works for kids of all ages as well as adults. It’s a great ice-breaker and will display lasting memories. You will need a few supplies that you can buy at a hobby or discount store. Adult supervision required.
What You Need:
Large Piece of Poster Board
Craft Glue
Double-Sided Tape (Optional)
Marking Pens in Different Colors
Ruler
Pencil
Craft Glue
Twine
Photos of the Guest of Honor
Glass Beads
Hole Punch
Photos Taken at the Party
Bounty Paper Towels
Instructions:
Draw a line down the center of the poster board with a bright marking pen. Pick out photos you have of the birthday person and arrange them on the left side of the poster board. Glue the photos on the board, leaving room for information about each picture. If you want to be able to remove the photos after the party, use double-sided tape to attach them to the poster board.
Draw a frame around each photo with a bright marking pen. Glue beads on each frame line to add sparkle. Use Bounty paper towels to wipe away any excess glue.
The other side of the poster board is for pictures taken at the party and special comments from the guests. You can add these pictures during or after the party.
Punch two holes 1/2 inch from the top of the board and six inches from each side. String twine through the holes so that you can hang it up. Tie a long string securely around a marking pen and glue the other end of the string to the top of the board. The guests can write comments anywhere on the board.
Hang other birthday party decorations around the room and around the board to make the occasion even more festive.