| Parents often go a little insane when it comes to the | | | | dishes. It won't cost you a dime and the kids will be |
| cost of hosting a birthday party for their children. | | | | just as happy. |
| They will spend a fortune on party decorations alone. | | | | 4. Skip the expensive party decorations. Provide |
| They choose expensive banners, matching plates, | | | | plenty of cheap balloons, along with some markers, |
| cups and tablecloths. They buy expensive decorated | | | | and let the children decorate them however they like. |
| cakes. Some parents even hire entertainment. The | | | | This will provide a lot of entertainment in itself. The |
| list goes on and on. | | | | kids can take their decorated balloons home with |
| The truth is, kids don't care about these things. Sure | | | | them as party favors. |
| they are nice, but kids won't give them a second | | | | 5. If your child's birthday falls during cold weather, or |
| glance. There are just a few things children are really | | | | it rains and they can't go outside to play, provide a |
| interested in on their birthday. Presents, cake and | | | | kid's movie for them to watch. Be sure to make |
| playing with their friends are the main ones. Consider | | | | plenty of popcorn. Odds are they won't watch the |
| using a few of the following tips to host a budget | | | | movie, but will play inside instead, but it does give |
| friendly party that kids will love. | | | | them an option. Either way, they will be happy to |
| 1. Make the cake yourself. Kids don't care about | | | | have popcorn along with their cake and drinks. |
| fancy decorating. What they are interested in is | | | | 6. If your child's birthday falls during warm weather |
| blowing out the candles and eating the cake. It's fun | | | | months, you might want to plan to have the party at |
| to blow out candles. Buy the inexpensive package of | | | | a public park. Be sure to choose one that has a |
| multiple birthday candles, instead of a single candle in | | | | shelter in case it rains. If the park has playground |
| the form of a number. You can even save them for | | | | equipment, all the better, but if it doesn't, it won't |
| next year. Children won't care if they have reused | | | | matter. They will still have loads of have fun. The |
| candles. | | | | children can run and play while you set out the cake |
| 2. There's no need to buy a lot of soda. Make a | | | | and inexpensive paper plates and cups. |
| pitcher or two of Kool-Aid instead. Kids do expect a | | | | As long as a child has a birthday cake and friends to |
| sweet drink at a birthday party, but it doesn't have | | | | play with, they will have a great time on their |
| to be costly. | | | | birthday. I don't know how birthday parties managed |
| 3. Purchase cheap paper plates, cups and plastic | | | | to become so commercial, but it doesn't benefit the |
| forks. There's no need to buy the expensive fancy | | | | children and puts stress on a parent. Try using some |
| colors or designs. Children are quite happy eating and | | | | of these ideas and you should be able to host a very |
| drinking from plain white plates and cups. Better yet, | | | | fun party for your child for under $10, and that's |
| if you are hosting the party at home, use your own | | | | including the cake! |