Birthday party expenses are outrageous

[Anonymous]

what is the county option? I'm in Montgomery County. What are the possibilities? Even the the Train Room at Wheaton Regional Park is $225 which doesn't include food or decorations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:House party doesn't have to be expensive...heres my breakdown of ours last month. I kept exact figures as we are trying a new 2015 budget software and I am trying to make the most of it...

1.) two sheet pizzas, veggies and hummus, bowl of chips, case of juice boxes, case of water, one batch of homemade cupcakes = 76.50
2.) Frozen craft supplies (pinterest hacked) for 6 girls = 34.78 (crafts are good bc they serve as an activity and the take home result can be their party favor)
3.) 2 ballons for our mailbox to make our house more noticeable= 3.50
4.) piñata (non frozen themed/just a generic one to save some money)= 15.00


So well under 150.00 and a great party. We didn't decorate beyond the pinata, we used our own plates and silverware, we invited parents to stay but non did since they are 5-6 year olds, we had free play at the end and it was perfect. My house was trashed but story of my life as I have three kids. We also had way way way too much pizza.

That's not much cheaper than hosting outside the home. The home party quoted is about $20 per child. We did laser tag that cost less than that per child, including pizza lunch and party favors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:House party doesn't have to be expensive...heres my breakdown of ours last month. I kept exact figures as we are trying a new 2015 budget software and I am trying to make the most of it...

1.) two sheet pizzas, veggies and hummus, bowl of chips, case of juice boxes, case of water, one batch of homemade cupcakes = 76.50
2.) Frozen craft supplies (pinterest hacked) for 6 girls = 34.78 (crafts are good bc they serve as an activity and the take home result can be their party favor)
3.) 2 ballons for our mailbox to make our house more noticeable= 3.50
4.) piñata (non frozen themed/just a generic one to save some money)= 15.00


So well under 150.00 and a great party. We didn't decorate beyond the pinata, we used our own plates and silverware, we invited parents to stay but non did since they are 5-6 year olds, we had free play at the end and it was perfect. My house was trashed but story of my life as I have three kids. We also had way way way too much pizza.

The piñata was empty? If not, there was a cost involved to fill it. Also, goody bags?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm not a baker, but to order a cake at a grocery store is not super expensive.

I feel like I'm wasting the most money on decorations.

Personally I LOVE party decorations!

PPs who say to have the party at a park: that doesn't really work for winter birthdays. And for PPs who say to have it at home: not everyone has the space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$0 - gather at the very nice park down the street, where there is play equipment. Plan for a few party games as well (races, pin the tail on the donkey).
$20 - paper plates, cups, napkins. I use old table cloths from home. No need for hanging decorations,

$5=10 - cake, made by me
$25-$50, depending on how all-out I want to go - sandwiches, made by me; chips; cut-up fruit and assorted snacks.

Birthday presents from us will be another $50 or so.

You do have choices, OP.

What if you show up yo the park and someone else sets up their stuff first?

In our area, if you plan to jots a party in the park you are almost always required to reserve the space and pay for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:House party doesn't have to be expensive...heres my breakdown of ours last month. I kept exact figures as we are trying a new 2015 budget software and I am trying to make the most of it...

1.) two sheet pizzas, veggies and hummus, bowl of chips, case of juice boxes, case of water, one batch of homemade cupcakes = 76.50
2.) Frozen craft supplies (pinterest hacked) for 6 girls = 34.78 (crafts are good bc they serve as an activity and the take home result can be their party favor)
3.) 2 ballons for our mailbox to make our house more noticeable= 3.50
4.) piñata (non frozen themed/just a generic one to save some money)= 15.00


So well under 150.00 and a great party. We didn't decorate beyond the pinata, we used our own plates and silverware, we invited parents to stay but non did since they are 5-6 year olds, we had free play at the end and it was perfect. My house was trashed but story of my life as I have three kids. We also had way way way too much pizza.

That's not much cheaper than hosting outside the home. The home party quoted is about $20 per child. We did laser tag that cost less than that per child, including pizza lunch and party favors.

It's a lot cheaper than OP's $500 party.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$0 - gather at the very nice park down the street, where there is play equipment. Plan for a few party games as well (races, pin the tail on the donkey).
$20 - paper plates, cups, napkins. I use old table cloths from home. No need for hanging decorations,

$5=10 - cake, made by me
$25-$50, depending on how all-out I want to go - sandwiches, made by me; chips; cut-up fruit and assorted snacks.

Birthday presents from us will be another $50 or so.

You do have choices, OP.

What if you show up yo the park and someone else sets up their stuff first?

In our area, if you plan to jots a party in the park you are almost always required to reserve the space and pay for it.

With six guests and a big park, it is not an issue.

We take a folding banquet table just in case picnic tables are an issue.

[Anonymous]

We have our birthday parties at home. Cake and ice cream. One of those helium balloon kits. Pin the tail on the donkey. A present from mom and dad. Under $100.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have our birthday parties at home. Cake and ice cream. One of those helium balloon kits. Pin the tail on the donkey. A present from mom and dad. Under $100.

At my son's last birthday party, 10 kids showed up, several of the parents stayed, plus the 5 of us in our family, all played two games of laser tag, pizzas, cake, sodas, etc. I think the final bill was about $600.

If it was just 5 of us at home, sure, $100 is plenty.

[Anonymous]

Why aren't you people asking the most important questions? Where are these open bar birthday parties and how do I get invited to them??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have our birthday parties at home. Cake and ice cream. One of those helium balloon kits. Pin the tail on the donkey. A present from mom and dad. Under $100.

At my son's last birthday party, 10 kids showed up, several of the parents stayed, plus the 5 of us in our family, all played two games of laser tag, pizzas, cake, sodas, etc. I think the final bill was about $600.

If it was just 5 of us at home, sure, $100 is plenty.

They just showed up, randomly?

How many did you invite?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why aren't you people asking the most important questions? Where are these open bar birthday parties and how do I get invited to them??

+1

And is there a kid's party place where you can serve booze.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm not a baker, but to order a cake at a grocery store is not super expensive.

I feel like I'm wasting the most money on decorations.

Personally I LOVE party decorations!

PPs who say to have the party at a park: that doesn't really work for winter birthdays. And for PPs who say to have it at home: not everyone has the space.

This exactly. I have two winter birthdays and a tiny house. I'd love to have a party at home but it will have to wait until the kids are older and have a handful of friends only.

[Anonymous]

But can we go back to the open bar thing? If you're going to drop a wad on a kids' birthday party, that seems like the most worthwhile expense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why aren't you people asking the most important questions? Where are these open bar birthday parties and how do I get invited to them??

Add a cost saving version to your party - a gallon of home made moonshine. And you won't have buy butter.