One year about $1000, the next year, maybe $40. It totally depends.

Some daycares let you throw parties at the daycare during the day?

We always do it at home. I'd say that when considering all food, crafts, goodie bags, games . . . about $300-400.
It's mostly unstructured "go play" parties. But, all the little things add up very quickly.

We also have a very large neighborhood of kids (most of which are in her grade). We cannot invite a portion of those kids and not all of them. Just is not going to happen (for many reasons not important to some of you but very important for us).

There is no way I could do a party for my 3 year old and all her classmates and at least one parent each for under $100! The pizza alone is $17 per pizza. Then there are the things to eat it on- plates, napkins, tablecloths, utensils, cups. And beverages. Throw in a few decorations, cake, party favors (let's say I did just $4 a favor and there are 20 kids, that is $80!). And what are these children doing the entire time? Even without hiring an entertainer, they would need something to do.

And for those who say have a smaller party, my child likes celebrating with all her friends. Every child in her preschool class has invited the entire class, and that is what we intend to do.

Last year I spent at least $500 on my child's party, and will probably spend more than that this year when all is said and done.

Anonymous wrote:Given what I know about the average DCUM's spending habits and HHI from other threads, I am fairly certain that the average party costs posted here do not represent what MOST people here spnd on a birthday party.

$500+ would be more like it.

I think a bunch of extremely frugal, practical people have chimed in and of course you can do a simple party for $30 - $100 at home... but that's not what MOST people are doing. Even the cheapo parties I go to the parents give away $5-10 worth of toys in the goody bags for pete's sake!

OP -- we are by no means well off, but a simple birthday party for us (at an outside location) is about $300.

I'm in the same boat as you.

$500 for 2yo

$500 for outside party for 16 4 y.o.'s (including cost of cake and drinks).

Given what I know about the average DCUM's spending habits and HHI from other threads, I am fairly certain that the average party costs posted here do not represent what MOST people here spnd on a birthday party.

$500+ would be more like it.

I think a bunch of extremely frugal, practical people have chimed in and of course you can do a simple party for $30 - $100 at home... but that's not what MOST people are doing. Even the cheapo parties I go to the parents give away $5-10 worth of toys in the goody bags for pete's sake!

OP -- we are by no means well off, but a simple birthday party for us (at an outside location) is about $300.

Anonymous wrote:400-500 for bounce / gym place.

Similar here. Most fun way to engage 20-30 kids and their parents. Home would be OK for half or a third of that.

$500-$800. Kids are now 9 and 11. I don't enjoy party planning or hosting, so this works better for us.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Under $100, I do not understand the necessity to be over the top with bday parties.

Unless your house is too small to have it at the house.

I live in a tiny one bedroom. Having it at home would never work.

You are not alone. It would never work at our place either.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Under $100, I do not understand the necessity to be over the top with bday parties.

Unless your house is too small to have it at the house.

+1 this is the issue I face. Even if I had a bigger home, I would still probably have the party at a venue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Under $100, I do not understand the necessity to be over the top with bday parties.

Unless your house is too small to have it at the house.

I live in a tiny one bedroom. Having it at home would never work.

$400 on average

Anonymous wrote:Under $100, I do not understand the necessity to be over the top with bday parties.

Unless your house is too small to have it at the house.