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

[Anonymous]

I think what you are asking is "would you judge me for spending this much" or "would you resent me for spending this much because it creates an expectation for others to spend this much?" Because that's the only reason our opinions would matter.

The answer to both of those for me is no, even though I do sometimes get frustrated with how expensive it is to throw a kid's birthday party these days. But you can easily spend that much just on food and decor for a simple backyard party with no special activities (even just pizza for a group of 15 kids is going to run you around $100 these days), so no I would not judge you or think you were creating some imposition for me to spend more. That's just how much it costs!

[Anonymous]

Yes! Honestly we always try to do the bare minimum and it's never less than $200 (argh!) Things are expensive these days - $300 is still thrifty IMHO.

[Anonymous]

No, it’s low AF. This tells me it’ll be a cheap party with crap food cut into doll-sized portions, and cheap plastic crap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dollar tree for decorations and paper goods (though sometimes Target and other places are cheaper for plates in larger sizes).

$5 pizza's - several pizza places have deals right now - 3 double cut
Fruit, veggies, chips, sandwich platter from Costco or where ever
Bottled water and maybe a few sodas/ice tea for adults
Costco Cake $20

Then activities

The above is not the OP— I know, because I am the OP!— and the above food sounds like a very bare minimum of $80 just for the food. If minimal decorations and paper goods (we are also doing Dollar Tree) and minimal for favors, I think that still sounds like $120+. With $0 activities, maybe that’s it? If it’s even $3-5 per kid for activities and games, you’re butting up against that $200 minimum I mentioned. So, I feel better, because that sounds pretty minimalistic.

We are not doing anything crazy IMO, but it’s still about $6 per kid for food, drinks and cake, $6 per kid for special activities and games, $3 per kid for favors. Then that leaves $75 for fairly fancy (diy) decorations and tableware and extra food for adults.

It's your party, so you should definitely do what you want, but as a guest I'd always prefer better food over fancy decorations and tableware. This is the birthday party version of those weddings where the couple obviously spent most of their budget on some Insta-worthy venue, and then everyone gets sad catering chicken Kiev and cake that tastes like sandpaper.

[Anonymous]

Yes! That's a good deal.

[Anonymous]

Just did one for 18. It was $600, so yes.

[Anonymous]

Cheapie

[Anonymous]

How can you possibly have pony rides, a clown and magician for $300?

[Anonymous]

All these people getting their mean girl digs in calling the OP cheap and don’t realize this is a zombie thread from 2019.

[Anonymous]

Home parties can be lots of fun. Some of the best parties we have attended are low key home parties including a Lego building race, movie night, karaoke, dance party, water guns, paint and crafts.

My favorite are family friend parties with good food.

[Anonymous]

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

Totally opposite experience for me: my daughter was in k last year and went to many bday parties and I didn’t stay for any of them/they were all drop off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just spent over $1000 for a supposedly low key home party so yes, $300 seems very reasonable.

This is me, every year. Probably more. It’s ridiculous

[Anonymous]

For me, that would have to be an in home party or something very cheap outside the house like a public park but you can do it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just spent over $1000 for a supposedly low key home party so yes, $300 seems very reasonable.

This is me, every year. Probably more. It’s ridiculous

That was me last year - I did those teepees!!!

But this is me this year, and you can do it too!!!

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1159067.page

[Anonymous]

My take:

I think it’s impossible to spend $100 on almost any party. Scaling up with more people doesn’t add that much though (depending)

Parties out at an event will cost per head, so that’s the exception. But it’s all DONE. I love when they even throw in plates, and random stuff so you can relax. And not bring a giant box inside.

My other take: we personally do $300 avg for ALL bday stuff for kid.
a)Either no party and we do a family outing and lots of gifts.
b) use almost all on a $250-300 event party. One simple cake and one gift.
c) sometimes we have gone over. Those are usually financial mistakes. We got reeled in. But, they’re a blip in the overall picture. Don’t let it happen on purpose.