I’m hoping to have pictures up later this evening from Heather’s party. (As soon as my camera is charged up enough to download.) I was thinking that I splurged on this party because I saved stress by ordering the plates, cups, napkins, and prefilled treat bags through the mail. I also ordered 2 dozen helium balloons for decorations which went home with the kids as party favors, but when I thought about it, I realized we saved money in many other ways:
I made the cake myself from a $.50 cake mix and marshmallow fondant. I invested in sugar gum paste modeling tools, but purchased each item with a 40% off coupon and they will be reuseable on cakes in the future. So instead of calling it a splurge, I’ll call in an investment since it will continue to save me money in the future.
I invested in a wig and stockings for my super fun costume, but saved by sewing my dress and hat. I’ll be able to wear all of it again at a Grocery Shrink promotional event in October and then plan to sell it on ebay.
My mother handmade the pinata out of newspaper, scrap red tissue paper, a balloon and homemade flour and sugar paste for a few cents. And it was so cute!!!!
I made strawberry bean bags which we used in 4 out of 5 of the party games. And my mom made an adorable tic tac toe toss game from red duct tape and scrap cardboard. (She’s pretty amazing.)
I also made a Berry Happy Birthday banner from fabric so it will last for years. And designed the lettering so the Berry was removeable to adapt the banner to other party themes.
We held the party from 1-3 so cake and icecream were expected treats, but a full meal wasn’t necessary. And we had the party at home–even though the electricity was out!
We didn’t rent any big air filled games, hire entertainers or live music. I’m not opposed to it if future finances allow, but the girls enjoyed being together just the same and the birthday girl will still have memories to tuck away forever.
I think my favorite part of the party is when our youngest girl guest, with bright red hair and a quiet and demure personality, walked up to the pinata and cried “HiiiiiYA!” as she swung with all her might. Brandon still comments occasionally, “HiiiiYa. That was a good one.”
You know, I always worried that I was cutting too many corners by doing everything from scratch, making the party the entertainment, rather than paying for entertainment. (It was primarily a financial decision, and I loved a challenge.) My oldest is an adult now, and recently said to me, “I hope when I have kids I can create the awesome birthdays you did for us. Everyone always loved coming to my parties just to see what cool thing you’d come up with this time. No one had parties as fun as mine.” I’m glad I put in the effort.
Awww! How fun! I also agree with Leni. Kids just want to have fun and feel special, and they’ll do it with whatever tools you give them. Even if it’s just a rock and a stick! JK! But you get my point, kids can make fun with anything. Next year my son will turn 9 and I’m thinking about a karate dojo style sleepover for a few of his friends. Everything will be karate and Asian inspired. I will try to buy everything on clearance or make it. I’m not good at sewing and all of that. I’d love to know how you made the banner and more details about making the pinata.
for decorations for my girls party we make big tissue paper flowers. It’s easy, cheap and the girls love to help. They are the ones where you fan fold 5 or 6 layers of tissue paper and tie a ribbon (or pipe cleaner) in the middle then fluff up the layers. Sometime I use the saved tissue paper from previous gifts. They are fun and colorful, we make them big ans small, and put the little ones into vases.