$300 total is a reasonable amount for a birthday party for ~15 kids, right?

[Anonymous]

Sounds reasonable. We spent $60 on cake because we wanted a fancier cake.

[Anonymous]

$60 pizza
$20 cake
$40 decorations, plates/cups, table clothes
$40 goody bag
$30 water, chips, dip, fruit, veggie tray
$110 entertainment/fun stuff

[Anonymous]

Totally reasonable.

Really, I have hosted those low key cupcake decorating parties with just a few decorations, and it has still run me $75-$80 for food for kids and parents, a few decorations, paper products, and cupcake decorating supplies.
I have done parties for less, but they really don’t feel like parties. It feels more like playgroup.

[Anonymous]

My kids parties at home have always been around that range. Mine both have summer parties, so we are usually outside, and I get beer for the parents and always have way too much food. I probably spend more of that budget on food and less on decorations, but always end up with a ton of leftovers that we end up eating for the next few days. I save a ton by cutting up my own fruits and veggies, and I make my own cupcakes.

I start planning early and scour the dollar store, amazon, and 5 below for decorations. Luckily my kids have always been excited about themes that are really easy to find everywhere which makes it much easier to find lower cost items (monkey/pirate/rainbow/mermaid/luau, etc). For me, all of the planning is fun-if I didn’t enjoy it I wouldn’t feel bad about just throwing a little more money at the problem.

[Anonymous]

1k is average

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$300 doesn't seem a lot at all. I have been to at least 10 preschool bday parties in the past 2 years, each with around 15 kids. I don't think I have been to one that cost less than $1000, and they are not extravagant really.

This is OP. I did spend what I considered a LOT (like really over the top) on my daughter's first preschool party (age 4) and there were 25 kids, 20 adults and it still was $600. It's hard for me to imagine a $1000/15 kids party that "wasn't extravagant, really." But I'm solidly middle class around here-- HHI $100k for a 2-income family.

A child’s party for $1000 not being extravagant is a perspective that can only be held by someone who lives in a very small bubble.

You mean dc

[Anonymous]

reasonable. We generally spend $500 for our kid and that's with us being lazy and ordering food, so spending $250 on food. Bubble favors and just running around the park. I could definitely do $300 if I was willing to do more of the food prep

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ug, good luck OP! If you do manage to pull off an amazing party on budget come back and repost how you did it. I've held some great parties in my home for my daughters where I[d be surprised if we spent that much! We got favors from amazon (I've always leaned toward fewer, better favors), minimal decor, and pizzas/waters/seltzers/chips/veggies and hummus.

I recently lost my job and my husband's business is not making money, so we are trying to cut back. (I'm about to get a job, though -- I was recently laid off). We're trying to cut down expenses, of course. We wouldn't be able to do a $300 party. I fondly remember the birthday parties of my childhood, where we all ate cake and pizza around the ping pong table or on the deck and ran around in the yard -- or played musical chairs or pin the tail on the donkey. So much fun and dirt cheap! Back then, parents never stayed!

What month is your child’s birthday?

We have been to many low key birthdays throughout the years. Cupcakes at the neighborhood playground. No favors. No gifts. Just playground play and singing happy birthday. Spray park with pizza, cupcakes and $1 bubble favors.

Winters are tricker. You could just have a home party and make your own food and cupcakes. It is just more work but can be significantly cheaper. My friend did a make your own pizza and decorate cupcake party.

what do you do when it rains? genuine question here. I've debated doing this for a june bday, but am always concerned about rain

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds frugal to me.

Spending thousands on a child's birthday party only shows the parent(d) is/are a fool. Good for you OP
Also, forget the goody bags
Children need to learn that only the birthday child gets presents. It is their special day.

[Anonymous]

Sounds cheap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds frugal to me.

Spending thousands on a child's birthday party only shows the parent(d) is/are a fool. Good for you OP
Also, forget the goody bags
Children need to learn that only the birthday child gets presents. It is their special day.

Op here. Oh, we love to give out favors, so the “favors” are at least somewhat useful (drawstring bags) plus the craft they’re making. It’s not a plastic bag full of junk (in my opinion!)

[Anonymous]

The time has long passed for giving hoody bags. The only child to get presents is the birthday child. The the guests get ice cream, cake, etc.

[Anonymous]

You cheap

[Anonymous]

Kindergarten parties have never once been a drop off in my experience (I wish they were!), but yeah parents didn't' eat much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds frugal to me.

Spending thousands on a child's birthday party only shows the parent(d) is/are a fool. Good for you OP
Also, forget the goody bags
Children need to learn that only the birthday child gets presents. It is their special day.

Op here. Oh, we love to give out favors, so the “favors” are at least somewhat useful (drawstring bags) plus the craft they’re making. It’s not a plastic bag full of junk (in my opinion!)

We do the same- better party favors. Kids love favors, just please don't do a bag of junk!