Moms are natural overachievers. The kids birthday party has to be perfect, memorable and, frankly, better than the last. Hyped up on sugar and the excitement of the day, kids don’t notice those little details that cost a fortune and took hours to finish. Your child will only turn this age once; you should relax and enjoy. There is no reason to pour yourself into unnecessary details. Focus on a traditional birthday party and save yourself money and stress.
Theme
A good old-fashioned party provides all the festivity and fun you need. Clowns and balloons fit well into a traditional party. Ask a friend or family member to dress up like a clown, using a costume from a party store or even the depths of your closet. You can find balloon animal kits from party and retail stores. Alternatively, your clown can decorate guests’ cheeks with face paints.
Location
Birthday party locations can be expensive. Save yourself a great deal of money by using a free location. Public beaches and parks often have picnic benches available for the public, although sometimes these charge a minimal fee for parties so check first. Your backyard and other open areas in your neighborhood are always a great opportunity. If you have family in town, consider using their yards. It will be even more fun for your child to go to grandma’s house for a party, rather than see it all come together at his own home.
Ingredients
Bright primary colors work for every age and for boys or girls. You can use these colors in the decorations, such as balloons and streamers, both available at party stores. Instead of buying paper plates, plastic utensils and napkins to match a specific theme, use your own plastic or ceramic plates in coordinating colors and whatever napkins you have on hand. You can even invest in a special set that you pull out every year for parties.
Age
Keep your child’s age in mind when considering what you really need for the party. Keep in mind that little ones, up to age 4 or 5, don’t have a lot of preconceived notions about parties. Anything that is all about them and all about fun is a great party. You can ask people to bring snacks to the party. As part of your gift, buy him some new toys, for the children to play with for the party.
Activities
Many games can entertain for hours without requiring any or many props. Musical chairs only needs a few chairs and your radio. Make your own “Pin the Tail” game with a roll of butcher paper and some thumbtacks. Let everyone munch on a homemade cake. Send home a few homemade rice cereal treats or other snacks for favors.
Photo Credit
- birthday cake image by Pali A from Fotolia.com
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